A government-appointed committee has revealed that the youth-led Gen Z movement in Nepal in early September inflicted devastating damage across the country, with losses estimated at more than Rs 84 billion (approximately ₹85 billion) and dozens of lives lost, according to an official report presented to the Cabinet this week. The findings underscore the extensive impact of the protests that began on September 8–9, 2025, initially aimed at addressing corruption and political discontent but which soon escalated into violent confrontations and widespread destruction.
The committee, formed by a Cabinet decision on September 21, 2025, was tasked with assessing the full extent of physical and economic damage caused by the unrest and is led by Rabilal Pantha, secretary of Nepal’s National Planning Commission. It completed its review over a 75-day period and submitted its comprehensive report to Prime Minister Sushila Karki during a Cabinet meeting at Singha Durbar.
According to the assessment, a total of 77 people died during and in the aftermath of the protests, with 20 deaths recorded on September 8, 37 on September 9, and another 20 in the following days. Among the 2,429 injured, 17 were under 13 years old, and 1,433 were aged between 13 and 28, highlighting the involvement of young Nepalese in the unrest. Losses were recorded in all seven provinces, spanning 54 out of Nepal’s 77 districts and 262 local units.
The report places the total physical damage at Rs 84.45 billion. Of this, government and public sector losses accounted for Rs 44.93 billion, while the private sector suffered damage worth Rs 33.54 billion and community and other sectors saw losses of about Rs 5.97 billion. A total of 2,168 government and public bodies were affected, and 2,671 buildings sustained damage, with estimated losses of Rs 39.31 billion. The protests also resulted in the destruction of 12,659 vehicles, amounting to Rs 12.93 billion in losses.
The committee’s findings show that the federal government bore the majority of the losses, with 68 per cent of government-related damages, while provincial and local governments accounted for 10 per cent and 22 per cent respectively. The extensive destruction stretched across urban and rural areas, affecting critical infrastructure and disrupting public services.
In addition to quantifying the damage, the report also outlines a reconstruction plan to restore public infrastructure, estimating that at least Rs 36.30 billion will be required to rebuild damaged government and public sector structures. This reconstruction effort is seen as essential for enabling administrative functions and restoring normalcy in affected areas.
Local media and ancillary reports have also highlighted the broader consequences of the unrest, including significant losses to institutions such as courts, where vital case files and judicial records were destroyed during arson attacks. The Supreme Court, along with numerous subordinate courts, is working to recover lost files and resume full operations, although this process is expected to take months.
The Gen Z movement’s transformation from a wave of political activism into widespread economic loss and social disruption has prompted calls from political and civic leaders for renewed dialogue, accountability and measures to address underlying grievances. With Nepal heading toward parliamentary elections in March 2026, the government faces the challenge of balancing reconstruction with efforts to heal divisions exposed by the upheaval.
