Health in Karnali Province, Nepal: official figures
For every 1,000 babies born in Karnali in the five years before the 2024-25 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 29 died before their first birthday and 38 before their fifth; the under-five rate is 2nd highest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 27 and 31).
How many children in Karnali are malnourished?
36.6% of children under five in Karnali were stunted (too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition) in 2024-25, 5.3% were wasted (too thin for their height) and 20.0% underweight; the stunting rate is the highest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 26.2%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyHow many children in Karnali are vaccinated?
81.6% of children aged 12 to 23 months in Karnali had all basic vaccines (BCG, three doses of polio and of DTP, and measles-rubella) in 2024-25, the lowest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 89.4%); 3.0% had none.
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyDo women in Karnali give birth in a health facility?
91.3% of recent births in Karnali took place in a health facility and 6.7% at home (2024-25), 4th highest of the 7 provinces for facility births (Nepal: 90.5%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyDo pregnant women in Karnali get antenatal care?
91.9% of women in Karnali who gave birth in the two years before the survey had at least four antenatal check-ups and 34.1% had eight or more, 3rd highest of the 7 provinces for four or more (Nepal: 85.0% and 36.1%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyHow many children in Karnali have health insurance?
8.5% of children under five in Karnali were covered by health insurance in 2024-25, 3rd lowest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 11.7%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyHow Karnali Province compares with other provinces
Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (5 years before the survey) (2020-2025)
Karnali Province ranks 2 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (5 years before the survey) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sudurpashchim Province | 48 |
| 2 | Karnali Province | 38 |
| 3 | Madhesh Province | 33 |
| 4 | Koshi Province | 30 |
| 5 | Lumbini Province | 29 |
| 6 | Bagmati Province | 21 |
| 7 | Gandaki Province | 20 |
Children under 5 stunted (2024-25)
Karnali Province ranks 1 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 5 stunted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karnali Province | 36.6% |
| 2 | Madhesh Province | 31.1% |
| 3 | Lumbini Province | 28.9% |
| 4 | Sudurpashchim Province | 24.1% |
| 5 | Koshi Province | 22.4% |
| 6 | Gandaki Province | 21.3% |
| 7 | Bagmati Province | 19.2% |
Children 12-23 months with all basic vaccines (2024-25)
Karnali Province ranks 7 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children 12-23 months with all basic vaccines |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gandaki Province | 95.5% |
| 2 | Sudurpashchim Province | 93.2% |
| 3 | Koshi Province | 92.2% |
| 4 | Lumbini Province | 89.8% |
| 5 | Bagmati Province | 89.0% |
| 6 | Madhesh Province | 87.3% |
| 7 | Karnali Province | 81.6% |
More on Karnali Province: overview · economy and jobs · 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…)
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