KATHMANDU: Government data indicates that unemployment has significantly increased in Nepal over the past three decades. According to the National Statistics Office, the unemployment rate reached 12.6 percent in the fiscal year 2079/80.Tthe unemployment rate was only 4.9 percent in the First Living Standards Survey conducted in the fiscal year 2052/53.

The Nepal Labor Force Survey for the fiscal year 2074/75 reported a slightly lower unemployment rate of 11.4 percent.

The Fourth Living Standards Survey highlights widespread youth unemployment, with the rate among 15 to 24-year-olds reaching 22.7 percent, up from 7.3 percent in 2052/53. The report underscores the difficulty young people face in finding employment opportunities within the country.

Hemraj Regmi, Deputy Chief Statistics Officer at the National Statistics Office, attributed the high youth unemployment rate to the lack of job opportunities, which drives many youths to seek work abroad. "The youth are going abroad due to the lack of job opportunities in the country," he stated.

The report also notes that a significant portion of Nepal's labor force works as daily wage earners, indicating a lack of stable employment opportunities. Specifically, 64.9 percent of salaried workers are paid on a daily basis, while 28.7 percent receive monthly salaries, and 6.4 percent are employed on contract.

Due to the scarcity of domestic job opportunities, a large number of Nepalis have migrated abroad, and the remittances they send back have played a crucial role in bolstering the economy. As a result, the Living Standards Survey reports that 76.8 percent of households received remittances in the fiscal year 2079/80, up from 23.4 percent in 2052/53.

The survey also indicates changes in the sources of remittances received by households. In 2079/80, 49.4 percent of households received remittances from countries other than India, while 21.3 percent received remittances from India. The proportion of households receiving domestic remittances was 29.3 percent, down from 44.7 percent in 2052/53.

Additionally, the report highlights an increase in non-communicable diseases, with conditions such as blood pressure, stomach-related issues, diabetes, and respiratory diseases showing higher prevalence rates.

The report further details that education sector expenditure averages Rs 29,742 per person per year, with significant variance between individuals below and above the poverty line.

According to the survey, 20.27 percent of Nepal's total population still lives below the poverty line, down from 25.16 percent reported in the third survey. The poverty rates vary significantly by province, with the Far West having the highest poverty rate at 34.16 percent, and Bagmati the lowest at 12.59 percent.

Overall, the survey provides comprehensive insights into various aspects of Nepal's living standards, including access to education, health, and economic opportunities.