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Nepal · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

153rd of 185 · 6th in South Asia
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UnemploymentNepal's unemployment rose from 10.4 % in 1996 to 10.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202510%11%12%13%10.5 %

Nepal's unemployment rose from 10.4 % in 1996 to 10.5 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

140th of 183 · 6th in South Asia
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Youth unemploymentNepal's youth unemployment rose from 18.8 % in 1996 to 20.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202518%20%22%24%20.6 %

Nepal's youth unemployment rose from 18.8 % in 1996 to 20.6 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

175th of 182 · 6th in South Asia
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ParticipationNepal's participation fell from 41.5 % in 1996 to 39.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202539%40%41%42%39.2 %

Nepal's participation fell from 41.5 % in 1996 to 39.2 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

166th of 182 · 6th in South Asia
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Nepal's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 20.8 % in 1996 to 27.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202520%22%24%26%28%30%27.5 %

Nepal's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 20.8 % in 1996 to 27.5 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

173rd of 182 · 6th in South Asia
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Nepal's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 37.1 % in 1996 to 35.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202534%35%36%37%35.1 %

Nepal's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 37.1 % in 1996 to 35.1 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

60th of 182 · 3rd in South Asia
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Labour force, totalNepal's labour force, total rose from 5.52M in 1996 to 8.36M in 2025.2000200520102015202020255M6M7M8M9M8.36M

Nepal's labour force, total rose from 5.52M in 1996 to 8.36M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

18th of 182 · 1st in South Asia
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Nepal's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 85.5 % in 1996 to 78.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202578%80%82%84%86%78.6 %

Nepal's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 85.5 % in 1996 to 78.6 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

168th of 182 · 6th in South Asia
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Nepal's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 84.9 % in 1996 to 77.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202576%78%80%82%84%86%77.0 %

Nepal's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 84.9 % in 1996 to 77.0 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

75th of 182 · 5th in South Asia
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Nepal's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 35.2 % in 1996 to 22.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202520%25%30%35%40%22.9 %

Nepal's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 35.2 % in 1996 to 22.9 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

14th of 182 · 1st in South Asia
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Nepal's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 26.0 % in 1996 to 31.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202526%28%30%32%31.3 %

Nepal's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 26.0 % in 1996 to 31.3 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

140th of 182 · 3rd in South Asia
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Nepal's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 38.8 % in 1996 to 45.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202536%38%40%42%44%46%48%45.8 %

Nepal's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 38.8 % in 1996 to 45.8 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

122nd of 168 · 6th in South Asia
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Nepal's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $9,686 in 1996 to intl $20.9k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $10kintl $15kintl $20kintl $20.9k

Nepal's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $9,686 in 1996 to intl $20.9k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Nepal.

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