Nepal Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Nepal's industry employment was 31.28% in 2025, ranked 168th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Nepal's industry employment stood at 31.28% in 2025, a rise of +0.25% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 31.49% by 2026. Nepal ranked 168th globally.
Industry employment in Nepal has risen steadily over the 35‑year series, moving from 24.94 % of the labour force in 1991 to a record 31.28 % in 2025, the highest share recorded in the series and the country’s all‑time peak. The low point occurred in 1992 at 24.74 %, after which a gradual upward trajectory unfolded, reflecting structural shifts toward manufacturing and construction despite the sector’s modest share of GDP. By 2025 Nepal ranked 168th globally, closely trailing Guyana’s 31.09 % and Belarus’s 31.06 %, while still lagging behind China’s 31.79 % and Slovenia’s 31.97 %. The persistent rise suggests that continued investment in industrial infrastructure, skill development and export‑oriented policies could sustain the upward momentum, whereas a slowdown in domestic demand or adverse trade conditions might reverse the trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 31.93% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 31.71% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 31.49% | - | - |
| 2025 | 31.28% | +0.25% | #168 |
| 2024 | 31.03% | +0.18% | #167 |
| 2023 | 30.85% | +0.23% | #167 |
| 2022 | 30.62% | +0.23% | #169 |
| 2021 | 30.39% | +0.15% | #168 |
| 2020 | 30.24% | +0.11% | #168 |
| 2019 | 30.13% | +0.25% | #170 |
| 2018 | 29.88% | +0.34% | #167 |
| 2017 | 29.53% | +0.29% | #169 |
| 2016 | 29.25% | +0.18% | #167 |
| 2015 | 29.07% | +0.30% | #167 |
| 2014 | 28.77% | +0.34% | #166 |
| 2013 | 28.42% | +0.18% | #166 |
| 2012 | 28.25% | +0.11% | #165 |
| 2011 | 28.13% | +0.24% | #163 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nepal matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2016. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nepal's industry employment was 31.28% in 2025. Ranked 168th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from the previous year.
Nepal's industry employment peaked at 31.28% in 2025.
The lowest industry employment in Nepal was 24.74% in 1992.
Nepal ranks 168th globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nepal's industry employment is projected to reach 31.49% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Nepal in 2025 was 31.28%. This ranks 168th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nepal_industry-employment,
title = {Nepal Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nepal/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}