Education and Health Wages Gain Over 3%: Service Sector Steady Growth

The Salary and Wage Index (SWI) for FY 2024/25 shows that salaries in Nepal’s education and health sectors grew steadily, both surpassing the 3% mark. The education sector recorded a 3.21% wage increase, with its index rising from 101.11 in July 2024 to 104.36 in July 2025. Similarly, the human health and social work sector grew by 3.57%, pushing its index from 100.39 to 103.98 in the same period.

This consistent growth highlights the rising importance of social sectors in Nepal’s economy. For education, the increase is linked to greater demand for teachers, private schools’ expansion, and skill-oriented training centers. For health, the growth reflects higher demand for medical professionals, hospital staff, and social workers, driven by expanding healthcare infrastructure and rising patient flow.

Compared to the national average of 2.63%, both sectors performed above average, positioning them as reliable sources of wage stability in the service economy. While not as high as ICT (+4.35%) or agriculture (+4.78%), education and health wages represent sustainable, long-term growth in essential service industries.

For workers, these gains bring better income security in sectors directly tied to human development. For employers and policymakers, however, the challenge lies in ensuring wage hikes are matched by quality improvements in education and healthcare delivery.