Central bank data shows rise in travel payments
KATHMANDU, AUGUST 25
Nepali students spent Rs 138.48 billion on studying abroad in the last fiscal year, according to the annual Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal report released by the Nepal Rastra Bank on Sunday.
The central bank said total travel payments rose 18.1 percent to Rs 223.72 billion, up from Rs 189.43 billion a year earlier. Of this, education-related expenses alone accounted for Rs 138.48 billion, compared to Rs 125.13 billion in the previous year.
The report also highlighted a widening services trade deficit. Net services income stood at a negative Rs 90.94 billion in 2024/25, compared to Rs 55.86 billion in the previous year.
Under the service account, travel income increased by 7.7 percent to Rs 88.66 billion, up from Rs 82.33 billion.
