Kathmandu-The number of Nepali youth leaving for foreign employment due to limited job opportunities within the country has exceeded 661,000 in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.

According to the Department of Foreign Employment, a total of 661,769 youths obtained labor permits during this period. Although the figure is slightly lower than the previous fiscal year, it still reflects a massive outflow of workers. In the same period last fiscal year, 685,924 people had received work permits — around 14,000 more than this year.

The government had suspended the issuance of labor permits for workers traveling to Gulf countries for more than a month, which contributed to the slight decline.

Among those leaving for foreign employment this fiscal year, 582,946 are men while 78,823 are women, according to department data.

Highest Number of Workers Left After Formation of Balen-Led Government
Following the Genz uprising on September 8 and 9 and the House of Representatives election held on March  5, a government led by National Independent Party senior leader Balendra Shah was formed with an almost two-thirds majority.

Shah took the oath of office on March 27. Since then, the highest number of workers departing for foreign employment was recorded in Baisakh.

Department statistics show that 74,429 youths left for foreign employment in Baisakh alone, making it the highest monthly departure figure from Shrawan to Baisakh (mid-July to mid-April) of the current fiscal year.

The department also stated that 223,215 youths left for foreign employment for new jobs through manpower companies during the 10-month period, while 326,364 workers returned abroad after spending leave in Nepal.