The Cost of Political Instability in Nepal. Who Really Pays Off?

Sriju Shrestha

Nepal has gone through 13 new prime ministers in 15 years. Promises are made, blueprints are sketched out, then power shifts and back to square one. In the background, it is not the politicians who suffer the most from this political ring-a-ring o' roses. 

Ring-a-ring o' roses, a pocket full of promises, A-tishoo! A-tishoo! We all fall down.

It is the common man-students, farmers, migrant workers, and unemployed youth whose lives are still paying the cost of a democracy which seems to be eternally stuck in the cycle of uncertainty. Nepal's political instability has hindered economic growth, undermined governance, and fueled public discontent. Frequent leadership changes divert focus away from development, lowering the prospects for young people and the marginalized. As corruption persists and stagnation continues, disillusionment grows, leading many to seek futures elsewhere while the country's potential remains unrealized.

With 13 prime ministers in a row serving an average of just one year in power over the previous 15 years, Nepal's politics have been characterized by an unrelenting succession of leadership. Because succeeding governments frequently reject or override the intentions of their predecessors, revolving-door regimes have immobilized policy consistency. With every administration, long-term strategic infrastructure projects (roads, airports) and visionary initiatives like the "Digital Nepal Framework" are constantly renamed or delayed, costing money and confidence. Nepal is stuck in a never-ending cycle of unmet promises due to a lack of stable leadership and vision. Political survival is constantly given precedence over sustainable development, meaning that vital reforms are always "under construction." Due to Nepal's frequently changing top leadership, important energy, infrastructure, and social development projects are routinely delayed; roads are still unfinished, hydropower projects are stalled, and reforms in healthcare and education are on hold. Budgets and agendas are reallocated to the wishes of politicians instead of the general agenda with every change of government. The sad reality is that political instability and bureaucratic indolence prevent early implementation, which results in the annual incapacity to spend the capital budget. This immobility is exemplified by projects like the Melamchi Water Supply or the Kathmandu-Terai Highway, which are stuck in cycles of renegotiation and cost increases as public annoyance grows. Without stable governance, Nepal's progress is hampered by fluctuating politics.

Political unpredictability in Nepal has discouraged both domestic and foreign investment by fostering an environment of investor uncertainty. Why would businesses invest in a nation where laws are subject to change with each new administration? As Nepal's reputation as a travel destination is damaged by inequitable governance and infrastructure, important industries like tourism are impacted. Meanwhile, as disgruntled youth flee in large numbers, producing brain drain, the economy clings dangerously to remittances (almost 25% of GDP). Job growth is hampered by the absence of sensible, pro-growth policies, which keeps Nepal stuck in dependency rather than progress. Economic development will not materialize in the absence of political stability.

Real lives that have been put on hold are the cause of Nepal's political turmoil. A student's wait for educational improvements never ends because curricula change with every government. Farmers impacted by droughts or floods brought on by climate change receive nothing but hollow promises from policymakers. After working abroad, a returnee migrant receives unemployment benefits rather than any job programs.

More than just a lack of regular elections, Nepal's crisis calls for accountability, integrity in policy, and politicians who care more for the country than their own future. Ordinary people-workers, farmers, and students will continue to bear the consequences of political unpredictability until that time. In particular, young people must organize beyond protests to transform people's rage into persistent pressure on leaders to take action rather than just talk about significant change. A future lost to turmoil is the price of inaction. Enough is enough.