Although Nepal has reduced poverty significantly, a substantial portion of the population still lives in poverty or experiences multidimensional deprivation.

• The national MPI (Multidimensional Poverty Index) rate decreased from 0.300 in 2006 to 0.068 in 2022.
• Children (0–17 years) represent 35.45% of the population, but account for 43.60% of those living in multidimensional poverty.
• The Asian Development Bank reports that 20.3% of the population still lives below the national poverty line (2022).

The proportion of the employed population below $2.15 purchasing power parity/day in 2024 was 0.2%.

Why this matters:

Poverty affects more than income—it includes lack of education, poor health, unsafe housing, and limited access to clean water and sanitation. Women and children are disproportionately impacted, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and long-term disadvantage.

Data sources:

• Nepal MPI Report (CBS & OPHI)
• Asian Development Bank (Poverty Data)