Overview:
Every day, around 2000 youths leave Nepal, either in search of work or in the hope of a better future abroad. If we ask 100 +2 graduates about their further plans, most of them would most probably say they planned to go abroad.
It’s not that these students desire to study abroad in canada, as Nepal has multiple colleges that provide high-quality education and are affiliated with foreign universities. Instead, the reality is that these students desire to earn money and secure their futures.
When looking at Nepal’s current situation, today’s youth feel that, whatever their level of education, they require financial stability that is often unattainable within the country. This financial stability is vital to sustaining their livelihood.
 At the time, our parents’ youths used to go to India, Qatar, Dubai, Kuwait, and other Gulf countries, but the scenario has changed. At present, many youths desire to go to European countries, including America, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, and others.
Many young people are driven to go abroad by their mentality to attain wealth quickly. They believe that foreign countries offer better economic prospects, job opportunities such as teaching English abroad, and a more secure future where they can earn more quickly in a short period. This mindset, combined with social and cultural factors, is leading to a growing trend of young people seeking opportunities in foreign.
Going abroad has become a kind of trend in Nepal. Most youths don’t know why they want to go abroad; they just know that everyone is going, so they should too. Those who want to do something in Nepal feel afraid of missing out on opportunities. These young people ask themselves questions like, “Can I be successful in Nepal?” or “Will I earn enough money?” or “Will I have a good life?” All these insecurities have arisen.
Why are youths going abroad? Top Major Problem
Well, there are numerous reasons why youths are going abroad, but here are some main points:
- The Pursuit of Economic Prosperity:
Many young Nepalis are looking to foreign countries for economic opportunities due to challenging conditions in Nepal. These include a competitive job market and low salaries that do not meet basic living expenses. Seeking better pay in countries with stronger economies is seen as a way to improve their standard of living.
- Political Instability:
Nepal’s political instability, frequent changes in governments, and conflicts have created dissatisfaction among young people, prompting them to question their futures and seek opportunities in more secure countries due to the country’s uncertain future.
- Lack of Job Opportunities:
Nepal’s job market is limited in terms of both quantity and diversity. Many young graduates have difficulty finding suitable employment in their subjects of study. This scarcity of job opportunities has forced them to look for foreign employment where they can use their skills and talents for better career prospects.
- Family responsibility:
In Nepali society, young people often find themselves facing financial pressure to support their families. Many youths feel a sense of responsibility to help their parents and siblings, which can be difficult to achieve with the limited earnings in Nepal. They feel going abroad helps fulfill familial responsibilities by sending remittances back home.
- Mentality of Earning Quick Wealth:
Many young people are driven to go abroad by their mentality to attain wealth quickly. They believe that foreign countries offer better economic prospects, job opportunities, and a more secure future where they can earn more quickly in a short period. This mindset, combined with social and cultural factors, is leading to a growing trend of young people seeking opportunities in foreign.
- Nepotism:
Nepotism limits job opportunities for deserving youth in Nepal, pushing them to seek better opportunities abroad. This frustration, along with the sense of better opportunity abroad, encourages more young people to go abroad.
- Corruption:
Corruption in Nepal has had an impact on the lives and future of its youth. It hampers economic growth and limits educational opportunities, which decreases trust in the government among Nepali youths. Many Nepali young people seek opportunities in foreign nations because they believe they will find better and less corrupt organizations in other countries for their secure future.
The reason Nepali youths seek opportunities abroad is driven by a combination of economic, educational, political, and personal factors. Although this provides individual benefits, it also creates challenges for Nepal, including the problem of brain drain.
Going abroad and making money for families is okay, but the problem is that most of the students don’t come back to their home country; they get settled in another country, and the skilled manpower will be less in Nepal.
What can the nation and the representative of the country do to control the number of youths going abroad? So here are some solutions:
- Political Stability:
Political instability often encourages Nepali youth to go to foreign countries for a better life. The government must prioritize political stability, effective governance, and the rule of law to stop young people from going abroad and to build trust among people.
- Encouraging return programs:
Implementing programs that encourage Nepali youths who are abroad to return should be made a priority for the government. These programs may provide tax advantages, research opportunities, or favorable employment placements as encouragement.
- Improving the Domestic Job Market:
One of the main reasons young Nepalis go abroad is for better employment opportunities. To prevent this, the government should prioritize the development of an effective domestic job market. This involves encouraging entrepreneurship, attracting foreign investment, and promoting sectors that offer employment opportunities.
- Promoting remote work
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that remote work is possible in Nepal. Promoting local work opportunities helps young Nepalis work for international companies while staying in Nepal.
- Mentorship and guidance:
Providing mentorship and career guidance can help young Nepalis make informed decisions about their future. They can know the available opportunities within the country and understand how their skills can contribute to Nepal’s growth.
- Minimizing the prevalence of nepotism:
Reducing nepotism in Nepal can help control the increasing rate of Nepali youths going abroad by creating a more merit-based and fair job market. When job opportunities are based on qualifications rather than family connections, youths are more likely to find satisfying employment in their own country, reducing their desire to seek opportunities abroad.
Nepal can keep its young people and utilize their abilities for the nation’s growth by focusing on improving the local job market, ensuring political stability, and encouraging return programs.
