Country explorer: Nepal

Nepal has experienced significant economic growth marked by a gradual increase in GDP per capita, a notable reduction in poverty across various thresholds, consistently low unemployment rates compared to its South Asian neighbors, and moderate inflation, reflecting improvements in living standards and economic stability uncommon among its peer lower-middle-income countries.

Nepal has experienced significant demographic changes, including a steady growth in population, a decline in fertility rates, a positive shift in net migration, and an increase in life expectancy, showcasing a transformation that aligns with broader patterns observed in lower-middle-income countries but is distinguished by its marked improvement in life expectancy and stabilization of population growth.

Nepal has shown gradual but consistent improvement in providing its population with access to clean fuels for cooking, electricity, safely managed drinking water, and sanitation facilities, reflecting significant progress in meeting basic needs, akin to trends observed in other lower-middle-income countries.

Nepal has demonstrated significant improvement in human development indicators such as increasing the Human Development Index, reducing child mortality rates, enhancing literacy rates, and improving the quality and quantity of education, reflecting substantial strides in societal progress and well-being.

Nepal has demonstrated an increasing commitment to sustainable energy and environmental preservation, as evidenced by its reduced per capita CO₂ emissions, significant growth in renewable electricity production (notably hydroelectric, but also solar, wind, and bioenergy), a high per capita availability of renewable freshwater resources, and a stable forest area, thereby aligning with global efforts towards environmental sustainability and contrasting with many peers experiencing deforestation and higher emissions.

Nepal has shown a gradual but significant increase in technological adoption and innovation, characterized by rising internet usage, mobile phone subscriptions, and publication of scientific articles, though its research and development spending remains low, reflecting a shared challenge with many lower-middle-income countries in allocating resources to scientific research.

Nepal has seen a notable increase in life satisfaction and a decrease in gender inequality, amidst a consistent age dependency ratio, signaling societal progress in wellbeing and gender parity similar to its regional peers.

Nepal has experienced significant fluctuations in governance indicators, showcasing improvements in political civil liberties and press freedom, despite challenges in rule of law and persistent corruption, distinguishing it as a nation making uneven yet notable progress toward democratic governance amidst its South Asian peers.