The September 2025 protests in Nepal will be remembered for their intensity and their outcome. Generation Z, the country’s restless youth, poured into the streets, demanding dignity and accountability. They succeeded in forcing the government to lift its controversial ban on social media, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned, and an interim administration led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki promised reforms. On the surface, this was a victory for the youth. But beneath the celebrations lies a sobering reality: the protests may have created new reasons for migration that could shape Nepal’s future in unexpected ways.

For decades, migration from Nepal was explained mainly through economics. People left to work in the Gulf, Malaysia, or increasingly in the West. The motivation was simple: local opportunities were scarce, while remittances could sustain entire families. But after the protests, the reasons are shifting.

First, there is disillusionment with reform speed. Protesters saw the government fall, but they also saw how fragile leadership can be. Promises of jobs and anti-corruption drives sound familiar, but they know implementation is slow. For many young Nepalis, waiting another decade is not an option. As........

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