Nepal returned 1,401 bodies of migrant workers last year

In the past year, the bodies of 1,401 Nepali workers who died while working abroad were returned to their families, according to Nepal Police.

These deaths occurred during the fiscal year 2081/82 while the workers were employed overseas.

Police data shows that most of the deaths were among young people aged 26 to 30. A total of 233 bodies from this age group were brought back to Nepal and handed over to their families.

Other figures include:

• 29 people under the age of 20
• 172 people aged 21–25
• 226 people aged 31–35
• 225 people aged 36–40
• 215 people aged 41–45
• 117 people aged 46–50
• 71 people aged 51–55
• 24 people aged 56–60
• 12 people aged 61–65
• 12 people aged 66–70
• 65 people aged over 70

The data highlights that Nepal’s most active and productive workforce is dying abroad.

During this period, the Department of Foreign Employment brought back 481 bodies and delivered 1,086 bodies directly to families.

The department also provided over 1.02 billion rupees in financial aid to the families of 1,517 deceased workers within a year. Each family typically receives 1 million rupees in relief from the government.