The Gandaki Province Migration Profile is the first of its kind, offering a comprehensive overview of the migration landscape in the province. It captures valuable insights that will serve as a vital resource for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to promote safe, orderly, and dignified migration.

Both internal and international migration have significantly shaped the social fabric of Gandaki Province, affecting areas of origin, transit, and destination. The migration patterns in the province are diverse, reflecting broader national trends. Additionally, climate change is having a marked impact, particularly in regions like Manang and Mustang, where desertification is becoming more prominent. Non-seasonal and severe floods have also caused displacement and human losses, particularly in Manang.

Among the 11 districts of Gandaki Province, Manang has the highest sex ratio (129.4), while Syangja has the lowest (85.6) (Government of Nepal, National Statistics Office, 2022a:64). Only three districts—Kaski, Nawalparasi East, and Mustang—show positive annual population growth. Internal migration has led to a surge in population density in Kaski, which has the highest density (297 people/sq km) in the province, followed by Parbat and Nawalparasi East (both 265 people/sq km).

Furthermore, 11.6 per cent of Gandaki Province’s total population resides abroad, with Kaski contributing the largest share (23.2%), followed by Nawalparasi East (15.6%), Tanahun (13.0%), and Syangja (12.3%). While urban areas are becoming increasingly crowded, rural areas are experiencing a shortage of human resources due to high levels of outmigration. This imbalance is affecting both population distribution and the management of natural resources. Nevertheless, migration has had a positive impact on the socioeconomic conditions of most survey respondents.