Economy, jobs and prices in Karnali Province, Nepal: official figures
Karnali's economy produced an estimated Rs 277 billion of goods and services (gross domestic product) in 2025/26, 4.2% of Nepal's Rs 6,600 billion; the smallest of the 7 provinces (National Statistics Office preliminary estimate).
What is the GDP per person in Karnali?
GDP per person in Karnali was about Rs 159,594 (US$1,108) in 2025/26, 2nd lowest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: Rs 217,946, US$1,513).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal · saved copyIs the economy of Karnali growing?
The National Statistics Office estimates Karnali's economy grew by 2.94% in real terms in 2025/26 (preliminary) after 5.25% in 2024/25; 3rd slowest of the 7 provinces in 2025/26 (Nepal: 3.85% and 4.43%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal · saved copyHow important is farming to the economy of Karnali?
Agriculture, forestry and fishing made up 31.5% of Karnali's economic output (GDP at basic prices) in 2025/26, 4th highest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 24.0%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal · saved copyWhat is the average income in Karnali?
In the 2022/23 Nepal Living Standards Survey, household income in Karnali averaged Rs 99,552 per person a year (median Rs 70,563), 2nd lowest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: Rs 136,707, median Rs 92,636).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal · saved copyHow much do households in Karnali spend?
Households in Karnali spent and consumed the equivalent of Rs 97,889 per person in 2022/23, 3rd lowest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: Rs 130,853); the richest fifth consumed 4.1 times as much per person as the poorest fifth.
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Karnali?
23.8% of people aged 15 and over in Karnali's labour force were unemployed in 2022/23 according to the Nepal Living Standards Survey, the highest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 12.6%); the rate was 30.8% for women and 18.8% for men.
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal · saved copyHow many people in Karnali are in work?
33.6% of people aged 15 and over in Karnali were working or looking for work in 2022/23 (48.4% of men, 23.5% of women), 2nd lowest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 37.1%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal · saved copyHow many homes in Karnali have internet?
68.5% of households in Karnali had internet access at home in 2024-25 and 8.1% had a computer or tablet, the lowest of the 7 provinces for internet (Nepal: 82.0% and 16.8%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyWhat fuel do people in Karnali cook with?
13.4% of people in Karnali lived in homes that cook mainly with clean fuels such as gas or electricity in 2024-25, the lowest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 43.9%); the rest rely mostly on firewood, dung or other polluting fuels.
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyIs drinking water safe in Karnali?
93.4% of people in Karnali had at least a basic drinking water service (an improved source within a 30-minute round trip) in 2024-25 and 77.3% had water on the premises; but tests found only 22.1% had safely managed water (on the premises, available when needed and free of E. coli), the lowest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 47.5%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyHow many homes in Karnali have a proper toilet?
76.8% of people in Karnali used at least a basic toilet (improved and not shared with other households) in 2024-25, 2nd lowest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 79.9%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyHow Karnali Province compares with other provinces
GDP per person (preliminary, rupees) (2025/26)
Karnali Province ranks 6 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per person (preliminary, rupees) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bagmati Province | Rs 380,872 |
| 2 | Gandaki Province | Rs 237,788 |
| 3 | Koshi Province | Rs 203,035 |
| 4 | Lumbini Province | Rs 173,942 |
| 5 | Sudurpashchim Province | Rs 168,515 |
| 6 | Karnali Province | Rs 159,594 |
| 7 | Madhesh Province | Rs 134,561 |
Real GDP growth (preliminary) (2025/26)
Karnali Province ranks 5 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth (preliminary) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bagmati Province | 5.40% |
| 2 | Gandaki Province | 5.01% |
| 3 | Sudurpashchim Province | 3.28% |
| 4 | Koshi Province | 3.13% |
| 5 | Karnali Province | 2.94% |
| 6 | Lumbini Province | 2.87% |
| 7 | Madhesh Province | 1.31% |
Unemployment rate (age 15+) (2022/23)
Karnali Province ranks 1 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate (age 15+) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karnali Province | 23.8% |
| 2 | Lumbini Province | 20.0% |
| 3 | Gandaki Province | 17.9% |
| 4 | Sudurpashchim Province | 12.5% |
| 5 | Koshi Province | 12.0% |
| 6 | Bagmati Province | 9.4% |
| 7 | Madhesh Province | 5.5% |
Households with internet at home (2024-25)
Karnali Province ranks 7 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households with internet at home |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gandaki Province | 87.5% |
| 2 | Lumbini Province | 87.2% |
| 3 | Bagmati Province | 85.0% |
| 4 | Koshi Province | 81.3% |
| 5 | Madhesh Province | 78.9% |
| 6 | Sudurpashchim Province | 75.1% |
| 7 | Karnali Province | 68.5% |
More on Karnali Province: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Nepal
Sources
- National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF): Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2024-25, Survey Findings Report (February 2026), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f01d5f5fe2ad…)
- National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal: National Accounts Statistics of Nepal 2025/26: provincial GDP (Table 9.1 and Annex II Tables 1.1-1.7 and 6.1-6.7), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e09da8226350…)
- National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal: Nepal Living Standards Survey IV 2022/23, Statistical Report (Tables 6.1, 11.3, 12.1 and 13.9), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cbebb744184e…)
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