Employment

At the international poverty line of $3 a day, an additional 1.4 million people are estimated to have slipped into poverty between 2022 and 2025 due to stagnant labour incomes and persistent inflation that eroded the benefits of whatever growth occurred.

According to the Taliban’s own Commission for the Collection of Beggars and Prevention of Begging, nearly 75,000 individuals – 74,968 to be precise – have been rounded up from Kabul’s streets since the nationwide campaign began in 2022.

Remittances already account for nearly 67 per cent of Nepal’s total foreign currency earnings. Tourism and exports from the Gulf add smaller but important flows. Last fiscal year, 20,504 tourists from Gulf countries visited Nepal, representing 1.8 per cent of total arrivals.

Sundarbans honey has also attracted global interest. Earlier efforts secured geographical indication (GI) recognition, highlighting its distinct origin and traditional knowledge.

The webinar saw active participation from the attendees and was instrumental in throwing light on and advancing the important discussion on women’s work in agriculture.

Experts tracking these trends note that sustained improvements in female LFPR could play a pivotal role in achieving broader economic goals, including higher productivity and inclusive growth.

The 2026 report, based on interviews with roughly 100,000 people across 140+ countries, reinforces that happiness is not solely about wealth. Social support and trust in institutions often outweigh raw GDP in explaining national differences. Costa Rica’s surge into the top four proves that strong community ties and life satisfaction can propel mid-income nations upward.

The transition will require careful policy planning to ensure that the gains achieved over decades are not undermined by sudden changes in trade and development frameworks.