Kathmandu— Nepal received Rs 687.13 billion in remittances during the first four months of the current fiscal year 2082/83, marking a 31.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
However, remittance inflows declined sharply in the month of Kartik compared to Asoj. NRB data show that Rs 133.82 billion was received in Kartik 2082, down by Rs 64 billion from Rs 201.11 billion recorded in Asoj.
Despite the month-on-month decline, remittances had increased by only 9.4 percent in the first four months of the previous fiscal year. In Kartik last year, inflows stood at Rs 114.31 billion, indicating a notable year-on-year rise.
In US dollar terms, remittance inflows rose by 25.3 percent to USD 4.88 billion in the review period, compared to an 8.2 percent increase in the same period last fiscal year.
NRB data further show that net secondary income — largely driven by remittances — reached Rs 754.93 billion as of Kartik 2082, up from Rs 569.29 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Meanwhile, foreign employment figures remained largely stable. As of Kartik, 145,973 Nepalis obtained final labour permits for overseas employment, while 127,837 received re-entry permits. In the same period last year, these numbers stood at 147,478 and 94,105, respectively.
Economists note that while remittance growth remains robust on an annual basis, the monthly volatility highlights continued dependence on external labour markets and seasonal factors affecting migrant earnings.
