In the imagination of many, Nepal is a country of majestic, snow-capped Himalayan peaks, ancient temples and serene monasteries, attracting tourists from all over the world. But behind this facade lies another reality. Nepal is one of the world’s least developed countries, where daily life for millions of people is a struggle for basic resources that are taken for granted in other parts of the world. It is an agricultural country where almost a third of the population lives below the poverty line and the GDP per capita is just over US$1,000.
This harsh reality is compounded by a host of systemic challenges. An economy heavily dependent on agriculture cannot provide jobs for everyone, leading to a massive exodus of young people, especially men, to work abroad. According to the 2021 census, nearly a quarter of Nepalese households (23.4%) have a family member permanently residing abroad. This demographic shift not only reduces birth rates to record lows, but also leaves villages without a working-age population.
Against this background, the state, despite numerous five-year development plans, often finds itself unable to solve the fundamental problems of its citizens. Political instability discourages large-scale foreign investment, while bureaucracy and lack of resources hinder the implementation of effective programs on the ground. The situation is complicated by deep-rooted social barriers such as the caste system and gender inequality, which limit women and lower castes' access to education, economic resources and political power.
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By Alpha Business MediaIn the imagination of many, Nepal is a country of majestic, snow-capped Himalayan peaks, ancient temples and serene monasteries, attracting tourists from all over the world. But behind this facade lies another reality. Nepal is one of the world’s least developed countries, where daily life for millions of people is a struggle for basic resources that are taken for granted in other parts of the world. It is an agricultural country where almost a third of the population lives below the poverty line and the GDP per capita is just over US$1,000.
This harsh reality is compounded by a host of systemic challenges. An economy heavily dependent on agriculture cannot provide jobs for everyone, leading to a massive exodus of young people, especially men, to work abroad. According to the 2021 census, nearly a quarter of Nepalese households (23.4%) have a family member permanently residing abroad. This demographic shift not only reduces birth rates to record lows, but also leaves villages without a working-age population.
Against this background, the state, despite numerous five-year development plans, often finds itself unable to solve the fundamental problems of its citizens. Political instability discourages large-scale foreign investment, while bureaucracy and lack of resources hinder the implementation of effective programs on the ground. The situation is complicated by deep-rooted social barriers such as the caste system and gender inequality, which limit women and lower castes' access to education, economic resources and political power.