Nepal: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Nepal?

Life expectancy at birth in Nepal was 71.3 years at the 2021 census, 68.2 years for men and 73.8 for women, according to the National Statistics Office's Nepal in Figures 2026. The NSO projects 72.6 years for 2026.

The World Bank, using UN estimates, gives 70.6 years for 2024. The two sources use different methods, so their figures differ slightly. Life expectancy was 54.3 years in 1991. Current health spending was 6.2% of GDP in 2023.

Official sources: NSO: Nepal in Figures 2026 (PDF) · World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, Nepal · World Bank: Current health expenditure, Nepal

What is the infant mortality rate in Nepal?

Nepal's infant mortality rate was 22.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, down from 23.1 in 2023, according to the World Bank, using UN inter-agency estimates. The under-five mortality rate was 25.1 per 1,000.

Infant mortality counts deaths before the first birthday and under-five mortality deaths before the fifth. The figures are modelled estimates combining surveys and registration data.

Official sources: World Bank: Infant mortality rate, Nepal · World Bank: Under-five mortality rate, Nepal

What is the maternal mortality rate in Nepal?

Nepal's maternal mortality ratio was an estimated 142 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the World Bank, using UN inter-agency estimates. The estimate for 2022 was 139.

The ratio counts women who die from causes linked to pregnancy or childbirth for every 100,000 babies born alive. It is a modelled estimate with a wide margin of uncertainty, so a small change between years should not be read as a trend.

Official sources: World Bank: Maternal mortality ratio, Nepal

Who runs health insurance in Nepal?

Nepal's national health insurance programme is run by the Health Insurance Board under the Ministry of Health and Population. Current enrolment, premiums and the list of approved hospitals could not be checked for this answer.

No official enrolment figure was found on the ministry's site. Public and private spending on health together came to 6.2% of GDP in 2023, according to the World Bank, using WHO data.

Official sources: Ministry of Health and Population · World Bank: Current health expenditure, Nepal

What is life expectancy in Nepal?

The UN Population Division puts life expectancy at birth in Nepal at 70.6 years in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 6th highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 74.1 years. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 128th highest.

What is the infant mortality rate in Nepal?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Nepal at 22.2 per 1,000 in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across South Asia the middle value was 17.9 per 1,000, and Nepal placed 3rd highest of 6. Worldwide: 64th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Nepal?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in Nepal at 142 per 100,000 in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 344 per 100,000; its low point was 2022, at 139 per 100,000. South Asia median: 63.5 per 100,000; Nepal is 1st highest of 6. Worldwide: 52nd of 192.

What is Nepal's health spending?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 6.2% of GDP. The peak was 6.5% of GDP in 2022 and the low 3.5% of GDP in 2006. South Asia median: 4.0% of GDP; Nepal is 2nd highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 98th of 191.

How much do people in Nepal pay for health care themselves?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Nepal at 59.4% in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 63.5%; its low point was 2006, at 42.5%. South Asia median: 49.3%; Nepal is 2nd highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 18th of 191.

How many doctors per person does Nepal have?

In 2023, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Nepal was 1.0 per 1,000, according to the WHO. No year since 2012 has been higher. World rank, highest first: 35th of 58.

How many hospital beds per person does Nepal have?

In 2023, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Nepal was 0.54 per 1,000, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Of 73 countries with 2023 data, 68th highest.

How many children in Nepal are vaccinated against measles?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Nepal was 97.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. South Asia median: 97.0%; Nepal is 3rd highest of 6. Worldwide: 31st of 191.