Nepal Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Nepal's agriculture employment was 22.91% in 2025, ranked 108th globally. This represents a 2.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Nepal's agriculture employment stood at 22.91% in 2025, a decline of +0.57% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 22.43% by 2026. Nepal ranked 108th globally.
Agriculture employment in Nepal has fallen sharply over the 35‑year series, declining from an all‑time peak of 39.69 percent in 1991 to a trough of 22.91 percent in 2025, placing the country 108th in the world. This downward trajectory mirrors broader structural shifts as labor moves toward services and manufacturing, a pattern also observed in peer economies such as Peru, where the share of workers in agriculture stands at 23.13 percent. The contraction reflects rising mechanisation, urban migration, and the gradual diversification of income sources, while the persistence of a sizable rural workforce underscores the sector’s continued relevance for livelihoods and food security. Despite the steep decline, the share of agricultural employment remains above the global average, suggesting that further reductions will depend on sustained investment in off‑farm job creation, education, and infrastructure. If these conditions improve, Nepal’s labor force is likely to continue transitioning away from agriculture in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 21.43% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 21.93% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 22.43% | - | - |
| 2025 | 22.91% | −0.57% | #108 |
| 2024 | 23.48% | −0.47% | #109 |
| 2023 | 23.95% | −0.37% | #109 |
| 2022 | 24.32% | −0.67% | #110 |
| 2021 | 24.99% | +0.04% | #111 |
| 2020 | 24.95% | +1.18% | #111 |
| 2019 | 23.77% | −0.73% | #112 |
| 2018 | 24.51% | −0.93% | #111 |
| 2017 | 25.44% | −0.66% | #111 |
| 2016 | 26.10% | −0.24% | #110 |
| 2015 | 26.34% | −0.70% | #110 |
| 2014 | 27.03% | −0.94% | #109 |
| 2013 | 27.97% | −0.61% | #110 |
| 2012 | 28.58% | −0.69% | #112 |
| 2011 | 29.27% | −0.51% | #110 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nepal matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2016. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nepal's agriculture employment was 22.91% in 2025. Ranked 108th globally. This represents a 2.4% decrease from the previous year.
Nepal's agriculture employment peaked at 39.69% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in Nepal was 22.91% in 2025.
Nepal ranks 108th globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nepal's agriculture employment is projected to reach 22.43% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Nepal in 2025 was 22.91%. This ranks 108th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nepal_agriculture-employment,
title = {Nepal Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nepal/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}