KATHMANDU: Over the past year, a staggering 699,841 Nepali nationals have ventured abroad in search of employment opportunities, encompassing both individuals obtaining new permits and those renewing existing ones.

Among this total, 424,480 individuals secured new labor permits during the specified period.

The month of Mangsir, the last month of the Nepali calendar, recorded the highest number of departures, with 71,276 individuals acquiring labor permits to work in 108 different countries. Within this figure, 36,080 individuals obtained new labor permits, according to the Department of Foreign Employment.

Throughout the past year, the number of Nepali citizens departing for employment abroad was notable in various months, such as 65,464 in Paush, 64,284 in Magh, 62,845 in Falgun, 61,478 in Chaitra, 54,457 in Baisakh, 59,422 in Jestha, 55,299 in Ashard, 55,575 in Shrawan, 50,884 in Bhadra, 56,235 in Ashwin, and 43,622 in Kartik.

This data highlights the substantial outflow of Nepali workers seeking job opportunities overseas and underscores the significance of international employment for a significant segment of the Nepali population.