Which province in Nepal has the highest number of poor people?

21 Jan 2018 - codefornepal

There are seven newly formed provinces in Nepal.

Among them, Province 2 has the highest number of multidimensionally poor Nepalis. More than 2.5 million people are multidimensionally poor in Province 2, representing 35% of all poor Nepalis according to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) released by the Nepali Government.

Unlike traditional poverty rates which look at monetary indicators, the Multidimensional Poverty Index looks at ten indicators, including child mortality, years of schooling, school attendance, nutrition, cooking fuel, improved sanitation, improved drinking water, electricity, asset ownership and flooring and roofing. If a Nepali is deprived in at least three of these areas, then she/he is considered poor.

Nepal’s Multidimensional Poverty Index is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Overall, 28.6% of Nepal’s population is multidimensionally poor.

According to the report: “Provinces 6 and 2 have the highest rate of multidimensional poverty – with every second person being multidimensionally poor (50%) – followed by Provinces 5 and 7 (approximately 30%).”

Look at this chart to see each province’s incidence of multidimensional poverty.

Province 2 is the second largest province in the country. Located in southeastern Nepal, this province includes Bara, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Parsa, Rauthat, Saptari, Sarlahi and Siraha.

Province 6 is the smallest province in Nepal and includes the districts of Dailekh, Dolpa, Humla, Jajarkot, Jumla, Kalikot Mugu, Rukum (western part) Salyan, Surkhet.

Here’s an interactive map visualizing the distribution of multidimensional poverty in Nepal. 

What do you think? Tell us in the comments.