Perspectives on Migration: The ‘Pennywise, Pound-foolish’ Syndrome

Globally, migration is a complex and multifaceted issue and its real benefit to the  countries exporting human capital as well as the host countries has become controversial, warranting deeper analysis. Social tensions, racism, intolerance, strain on resources, and challenges in integration for both migrants and host communities are on the rise.

An estimated 30 to 60 percent of people are in depression in Nepal. It is not fatalism or paternalism or ‘what man proposes God disposes’ as some rudimentary people utter out of frustration and injustice, as the saying goes: “sati le sarapeko des” in Nepali (land cursed by Sati), but the politicized government and the defunct bureaucracy and governance unable to generate employment opportunities, a recipe for the next political revolution led by the nationalist youths.

Declining Human Ecology

The youth exodus to India is between 3-4 million, according to an IOM report in 2023. An estimated 10 percent or 600,000 homes in Nepal are padlocked already due to migration, leaving the land uncultivated.Schools are on the brink of closure due to fewer students. Elderly are dying at home, unattended. There are gender imbalances, as it is often males who migrate for jobs.

In 2023, a total of 808,415 Nepalis (723,789 men/84,604 women) left the country for overseas employment while 108,542 individuals left for studies, according to the Department of Immigration. In the same year, 300,000 settled abroad, and 70,000 gave up their Nepali citizenship.

Youths are also being used as mercenary soldiers such as those hired by Russia. It is estimated that 15,000 Nepalis have been hired by Russia to fight its war against Ukrainian forces. Most of the Nepali migrants in the Gulf countries as well as Malaysia for instance have lowly paid hazardous jobs in factories, construction sites and the domestic sector. Even scam/fake refugees have been exported to the USA.

Over 7,000 Nepali migrants are languishing in foreign jails. A large number of migrants have committed suicided abroad. Until recently, 10,025 Nepali migrant workers' dead bodies have been brought to Kathmandu by air. This speaks volumes about the magnitude of problems and the pressing need to rectify them.

Kathmandu valley’s population has disproportionately increased manifold to over 6 million basically due to the massive inflow of internal migrants. Influence of the western culture in Nepal and growing consumerism have resulted in lost work habit/culture and dismal or no savings.

Who Sustains the Country? 

Western countries face declining birth rates and an aging population. Internationally, a birth rate of 2.1 per woman is broadly regarded as the replacement level fertility needed to maintain an optimal number of native citizens to run the country. However, in Europe, the rate is less than 1. Slowly but surely, overcrowding by migrants and immigrants will dominate business and state affairs. Likewise, Nepal has already a declining fertility rate of 1.799 births per woman (2022) and the number of native citizens.

Geographically and demographically a tiny country, Nepal, is left with approximately 18 million native citizens (population) out of 29 million since an estimated 11 million are absorbed by different countries over the years as migrant and immigrant workers. Ever declining population is the greatest risk factor for sustaining human ecology, fragile socio-economy, infrastructure development and even safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity; and,moreover the migrants not becoming physically present during elections to cast their votes to replace the corrupt political leaders, and also to take the streets to protest corruption, misgovernance and violence of rule of law.

An estimated 4 million migrants of Indian origin (although the Indian government limits this number to 600,000 as its non-resident) working in Nepal at the cost of native citizens, is worrisome.Open border and non-restrictions to such immigrations by the government is critical.

At least one-third of GDP is secured from remittance income (Rs1,445 billion in FY 2023/24), meaning foreign exchange earnings to pay for imports having an enormous trade deficit of Rs1,720 billion in 2022/23 against the import value of Rs 1,920 billion. Pennywise and pound-foolish, Nepal Government is relishing the remittance income from migrants as a ‘milking cow’.Growing remittance earnings means no job prospects at home. The problem is further compounded as approximately 700,000 new college graduates are being added each year in the job market.

Divine Order

On the flip side, the natural laws are the expression of the will of God by which a person is born in a specific location, family and socio-culture of a country with ‘a unity of purpose’ and moral obligations to fulfil. Failure to comply may violate the Divine order and land up in an unhappy ending in the long run. In Hindu epic Ramayana, Lord Ram said to his brother Lakshman after victory over demon king Ravana in Lanka, “Api swarnamaii Lanka na me Laxmanarochate. Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi” in Sanskrit, meaning "Friends, riches and grains are highly honoured in this world, but mother and motherland are superior and sacred than heaven. Lakshmana, even this golden Lanka does not appeal to me”. (Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana).

In his Muna Madan play (1936), Laxmi Prasad Devkota, a prominent poet, playwright, novelist, and politician of Nepal narrated about the pursuit of material wealth as a migrant to Lhasa/Tibet like the legend of a musk deer, who does not use the intellect to separate the truth from illusion, searching his/her own scent elsewhere, tirelessly. This venture landed up with serious consequences and adversities imparting the lesson that ‘riches are of no use when there is no one to share them with in the home country. Madan represents the youths of Nepal in modern times who go abroad.

A pathetic story that I had come across was a chat with a man of late 50s, completely settled in Canada, whom I had met about 15 years back at the Tribhuvan International Airport departure lounge. He was going to Vancouver via the Gulf, and I was heading to Amsterdam for a meeting. He had made a short trip out of his busy schedule to attend the funeral of his mother. It seemed to me that it was probably his last trip to Nepal. I felt as  if his move to migrate to Canada permanently defied the divine purpose of making him born and brought up in the laps of the Himalayas.  

I would like to share a personal story of how, in my early 40s, I made the difficult decision to turn down a PhD scholarship with employment opportunities at Brown University in Rhode Island, USA. I was awarded this scholarship by the university’s top management in recognition of my work as a Visiting Fellow under its World Hunger Program/WIIS in 1998. Despite the opportunity, I chose not to settle permanently in the United States, apologetically bidding farewell to my mother, motherland, and kin. For me, Nepal didn’t need another PhD holder—there were already several thousand—yet the country remained underdeveloped, struggling with rampant corruption, irregularities, misgovernance, violations of the rule of law, political instability, a dysfunctional bureaucracy, and a nonperforming political class.

Growing Violence and Protests

Globally, violence and protests against migrants and immigrants is on the rise. A few recent examples are cited here. Canada's protest message in downtown Toronto against mass immigration which took place on Canada Day (July 1, 2024) was simple: no more mass immigration as Canadians want their futures back and they want to live in a country where they feel their needs are being put first. 

Anti-immigration riots led by far-right extremists escalated in the UK in August this year. Similar incidents also occurred in France and Germany. Based on these events, the future for global migrants and immigrants looks uncertain, potentially leading to a gradual 'reversal' process involving increased restrictions, repatriation, and deportation. As Vladimir Zhirinovsky aptly put it: “We must force the government to stop the bird migration... and force migratory birds to stay where they are.”

The global integration of migrants and immigrants is an unnatural process. Any disruptions caused by its inherent challenges could lead to unfortunate outcomes, as migrants already face racism and intolerance. For instance, even those who hold U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery or immigrant visas may eventually experience discrimination based on race, skin color, and ethnicity from native citizens. Migration and immigration, much like globalization and free trade, can sometimes feel like myths in practice.

What next?

Who is responsible for the massive number of socially and economically active youths leaving Nepal? Primarily, it should be the politicized coalition government, mostly run by the major political parties (UML, Nepali Congress and Maoist Center) for three decades.

Nepal is rich in resources and holds immense opportunities for those willing to take initiative. By moving beyond the allure of Westernism and materialism, and considering the risks and injustices involved, one can (or should) repatriate to their homeland for real fulfillment. The idea that 'small is beautiful' holds true and effective. An inspiring example is the blacksmith’s meticulous process of forging iron into various tools, symbolizing self-reliance and resilience. This simple yet powerful illustration shows how small actions can ultimately lead to progress, prosperity, and happiness.