The Nepali economy was, until not long ago, generally perceived to be predominantly agrarian. Yet, this preoccupation with agriculture misses out on quite a number of crucial characteristics of the Nepali national and household economies. At the micro-level it is totally blind towards diversification of household employment and income patterns in search for a 'livelihood'. Particularly in joint households, some members of the household may work in agriculture whereas others may (additionally) perform other types of work, both locally and at other locations. The latter type involves substantial movements of the labour force across the country and its borders. This also implies quite significant amounts of remittances which are crucial not only for household economies but also for the national economy. During the political unrests and economic recession of 2001/2002 it was probably the only sector which remained unaffected, and the remittance economy was seen as largely unnoticed, propping up the country.
