Nepal Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Nepal's services employment was 45.81% in 2025, ranked 42nd globally. This represents a 0.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Nepal's services employment stood at 45.81% in 2025, a rise of +0.32% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 46.08% by 2026. Nepal ranked 42nd globally.
Since 1991 Nepal’s share of workers employed in services has risen steadily from 35.38 percent to 45.81 percent in 2025, placing the country 42nd globally. The upward trajectory culminated in an all‑time peak of 46.10 percent in 2019 before a modest retreat, suggesting that the sector’s expansion is now approaching a plateau. Nepal’s performance is comparable to that of Vanuatu, which recorded 45.43 percent, and trails China’s 46.53 percent, indicating that the nation is keeping pace with other emerging economies that rely heavily on service‑oriented growth. The 35‑year coverage shows a consistent shift from agriculture toward higher‑value activities such as tourism, finance and information technology, driven by urbanisation and rising household incomes. Continued investment in digital infrastructure and skills development could sustain the positive momentum, while any slowdown in global demand for tourism or remittances might reverse the trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 46.64% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 46.36% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 46.08% | - | - |
| 2025 | 45.81% | +0.32% | #42 |
| 2024 | 45.49% | +0.29% | #43 |
| 2023 | 45.20% | +0.14% | #44 |
| 2022 | 45.06% | +0.44% | #46 |
| 2021 | 44.62% | −0.19% | #45 |
| 2020 | 44.81% | −1.29% | #46 |
| 2019 | 46.10% | +0.48% | #50 |
| 2018 | 45.62% | +0.59% | #52 |
| 2017 | 45.03% | +0.38% | #51 |
| 2016 | 44.66% | +0.06% | #51 |
| 2015 | 44.60% | +0.39% | #52 |
| 2014 | 44.20% | +0.59% | #52 |
| 2013 | 43.61% | +0.43% | #52 |
| 2012 | 43.18% | +0.58% | #52 |
| 2011 | 42.60% | +0.27% | #51 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nepal matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2016. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nepal's services employment was 45.81% in 2025. Ranked 42nd globally. This represents a 0.7% increase from the previous year.
Nepal's services employment peaked at 46.10% in 2019.
The lowest services employment in Nepal was 35.38% in 1991.
Nepal ranks 42nd globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nepal's services employment is projected to reach 46.08% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Nepal in 2025 was 45.81%. This ranks 42nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nepal_services-employment,
title = {Nepal Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nepal/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}