International Migrant Population Statistics in Nepal (2026)
1.6% of the population in Nepal were international migrants in 2024, World Bank World Development Indicators data show. Down from 1.7% in 2020 to 1.6% in 2024 (−0.1 percentage points). Nepal ranks #4 of 6 economies in South Asia on this measure, and #162 of 216 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 1.6% (2024)
- International Migrant Population in Nepal as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2020
- −0.1 pp (2024)
- Down from 1.7% in 2020 to 1.6% in 2024 (−0.1 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 2.2% (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 2.2% in 1990 to 1.6% in 2024.
- Peak value (1995)
- 3.1% (1995)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 1.6%.
- Rank in South Asia
- #4 of 6 (2024)
- Nepal ranks 4 of 6 countries in South Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #162 of 216 (2024)
- Nepal ranks 162 of 216 countries with data globally.
- South Asia average
- 4.2% (2024)
- Nepal (1.6%) is below the average of 4.2% across the 6 countries in South Asia with data.
- Personal remittances, received (current US$) (2024)
- $11.3 billion (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Internet use in Nepal (2024)
- 46.3% (2024)
- 46.3% of the population in Nepal used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 29.7 million (2024)
- Nepal had a population of 29.7 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2024
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1.6% | −0.1 pp |
| 2020 | 1.7% | −0.1 pp |
| 2015 | 1.8% | −0.3 pp |
| 2010 | 2.1% | −0.5 pp |
| 2005 | 2.6% | −0.3 pp |
| 2000 | 2.9% | −0.2 pp |
| 1995 | 3.1% | +0.9 pp |
| 1990 | 2.2% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of people in Nepal were international migrants?
1.6% of the population in Nepal were international migrants in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
Where does Nepal rank globally on international migrant population?
Nepal ranks 162 of 216 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank World Development Indicators value for each country.
When did international migrant population in Nepal peak?
The highest value in the available series was 3.1% in 1995; the latest (2024) value is 1.6%.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
SM.POP.TOTL.ZS, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .