International migration in Nepal: Towards an analytical framework

On the basis of assumed causes influencing human movement, international migration can be broadly categorised into two groups: voluntary and involuntary. The present paper concentrates on voluntary international migration in Nepal although in many cases the difference between voluntary and involuntary movements may be unclear. The current population situation in Nepal results in part from both emigration and immigration. Historically, three forms of emigration are evident: a) movement related to military recruitment, mainly Gorkha recruitment, b) movement for agricultural and other economic activities in rural areas among low wage workers such as durban, kulli, watchmen and prostitutes, mainly to urban centres of India, and c) marriage migration. More than 90% of all emigrants are from the Hills and Mountains.