Photo: Laxman Thapa from Nepal derivative work: Inkey · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Nepal: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Nepal is placed 171st of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 35.14 (2025); Labour Income Share 48.94 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
171st
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Nepal on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
35.14
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Nepal: 35.14. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Southern Asia
- 62.73 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- China 61.57 · India 53.31
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
10.46
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Nepal: 10.46. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Southern Asia
- 3.227 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- China 4.615 · India 4.219
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
76.98
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Nepal: 76.98. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Southern Asia
- 16.91 Maldives
- Land neighbours
- China 33.4 · India 71.58
02Over time
Which way Nepal is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
NepalWorld median
Nepal fell from 37.01 in 2000 to 35.14 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Nepal World median 2025 35.137 57.720 2024 35.185 57.694 2023 35.269 58.158 2022 35.224 57.688 2021 34.677 56.066 2020 34.253 55.691 2019 35.599 57.871 2018 35.533 56.911 2017 35.660 56.738 2016 35.800 56.845 2015 35.943 56.788 2014 36.055 56.774 2013 36.191 56.229 2012 36.370 56.289 2011 36.496 56.297 2010 36.587 56.212 2009 36.619 56.255 2008 36.667 57.308 2007 36.717 56.933 2006 36.804 56.685 2005 36.877 56.129 2004 36.889 55.465 2003 36.910 55.630 2002 36.950 55.843 2001 37.005 56.018 2000 37.008 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
NepalWorld median
Nepal fell from 52.27 in 2004 to 48.94 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Nepal World median 2025 48.94 46.230 2024 49.12 46.060 2023 49.57 45.900 2022 48.59 45.615 2021 48.33 45.433 2020 49.47 47.267 2019 48.57 46.277 2018 48.35 46.187 2017 48.05 46.467 2016 50.39 46.798 2015 49.91 46.876 2014 49.79 47.281 2013 50.72 46.887 2012 50.81 46.231 2011 51.46 45.679 2010 51.48 46.024 2009 51.91 47.071 2008 51.89 45.312 2007 52.54 45.246 2006 52.56 45.670 2005 52.54 46.265 2004 52.27 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
NepalWorld median
Nepal fell from 10.53 in 2000 to 10.46 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Nepal World median 2025 10.465 5.08 2024 10.500 5.15 2023 10.437 5.21 2022 10.661 5.34 2021 12.241 6.04 2020 13.037 6.38 2019 10.477 5.36 2018 10.593 5.35 2017 10.660 5.59 2016 10.714 5.90 2015 10.643 6.41 2014 10.620 6.58 2013 10.666 6.71 2012 10.632 6.79 2011 10.627 6.90 2010 10.563 7.04 2009 10.582 6.67 2008 10.597 5.79 2007 10.642 6.00 2006 10.609 6.50 2005 10.590 7.09 2004 10.652 6.80 2003 10.644 6.95 2002 10.593 6.91 2001 10.502 6.96 2000 10.531 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
NepalWorld median
Nepal fell from 83.94 in 2000 to 76.98 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Nepal World median 2025 76.98 28.67 2024 77.27 29.04 2023 77.53 29.33 2022 77.80 29.67 2021 78.07 30.01 2020 78.53 30.54 2019 78.55 29.98 2018 78.94 30.15 2017 79.32 29.93 2016 79.66 29.91 2015 79.91 30.26 2014 80.24 30.47 2013 80.58 31.14 2012 80.89 31.00 2011 81.20 31.41 2010 81.50 32.37 2009 81.80 32.59 2008 82.08 31.76 2007 82.36 33.47 2006 82.60 34.27 2005 82.83 34.66 2004 83.06 35.51 2003 83.27 35.90 2002 83.46 35.96 2001 83.64 35.27 2000 83.94 35.67
03In context
Nepal beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Nepal and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 China | 60th | 61.57 | 51.23 | 4.615 | 33.4 |
 Indiacompare | =99th | 53.31 | 61.83 | 4.219 | 71.58 |
| Nepal | 171st | 35.14 | 48.94 | 10.46 | 76.98 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Nepal in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Nepal is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median4
Statistics on which Nepal does better than the middle country measured.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3153▲ Improved since 2015
Nepal: 15 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6830.1616.68No earlier reading
Nepal: 30.16 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 22nd of 139 · derived.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8851.8764.885▲ Improved since 2015
Nepal: 1.876 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8137.6641.81No earlier reading
Nepal: 37.66 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 103rd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median12
Statistics on which Nepal does worse than the middle country measured.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7425,0396,742▲ Improved since 2015
Nepal: 5,039 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 86th of 151 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.169.7422.16▲ Improved since 2015
Nepal: 9.74 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 132nd of 182 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38420,87447,384▲ Improved since 2015
Nepal: 20,874 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 122nd of 168 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8320.5612.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Nepal: 20.56 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 44th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.614.31.61No real change since 2015
Nepal: 4.3 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1610.3119.16No earlier reading
Nepal: 10.31 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 141st of 179 · derived.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7680.7736.76No earlier reading
Nepal: 80.77 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 18th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0714.0532.07No earlier reading
Nepal: 14.05 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.97.145.9No earlier reading
Nepal: 7.1 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2304,83325,230No real change since 2010
Nepal: 4,833 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 134th of 151 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3627.4753.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Nepal: 27.47 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 166th of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6639.2461.66No real change since 2015
Nepal: 39.24 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 175th of 182 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 989898▲ Improved since 2015
Nepal: 98 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Nepal: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8831.2818.88Moved since 2015
Nepal: 31.28 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 14th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8478.5831.84No real change since 2015
Nepal: 78.58 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 18th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8941.1438.89Moved since 2015
Nepal: 41.14 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 66th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3822.9114.38No real change since 2015
Nepal: 22.91 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 75th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95490.28657.95No real change since 2014
Nepal: 490.28 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5145.8159.51Moved since 2015
Nepal: 45.81 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 140th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.014.37115.01No earlier reading
Nepal: 4.371 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 114th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Nepal
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2017), Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4) (last 2017), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2017), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2017), Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate (last 2017), Share of Temporary Employees (last 2017) and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2017). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Nepal’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Nepal’s 15th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energyjoint 47th of 1653/3 keys
- Poverty & Inequality46th of 1593/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainability60th of 1864/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture85th of 1844/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties94th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Security88th of 1774/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation97th of 1764/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge111th of 1984/4 keys
- Digital & Technology115th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience118th of 1934/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions130th of 1944/4 keys
- Gender & Equality129th of 1834/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing143rd of 2004/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital145th of 1963/3 keys
- Work & Labour171st of 1824/4 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Nepal can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysHighest in Southern Asia
Maldives=64th4/4 keysThis page
Nepal171st4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Nepal and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Nepal on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Nepal rank on work & labour?
Nepal is placed 171st of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Nepal?
35.14 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Nepal?
48.94 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Nepal compare with India on work & labour?
India is placed joint 99th of 182, and Nepal 171st. Employment-to-Population Ratio: India 53.31, Nepal 35.14; Labour Income Share: India 61.83, Nepal 48.94; Unemployment Rate: India 4.219, Nepal 10.46; Vulnerable Employment: India 71.58, Nepal 76.98.
How have Nepal’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 37.01 in 2000 to 35.14 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 52.27 in 2004 to 48.94 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 10.53 in 2000 to 10.46 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 83.94 in 2000 to 76.98 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Nepal?
No current reading is published for Nepal on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Nepal’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Nepal (banner) — Laxman Thapa from Nepal derivative work: Inkey, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Nepal: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/nepal/work