Poverty and living standards in Karnali Province, Nepal: official figures
26.69% of people in Karnali lived below Nepal's poverty line (Rs 72,908 per person a year) in 2022/23, 2nd highest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 20.27%). Karnali is home to 5.12% of all poor Nepalis.
Is poverty higher in rural Karnali?
Poverty in Karnali was 30.86% in rural areas and 23.16% in urban areas in 2022/23 (Nepal: 24.66% rural, 18.34% urban).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal · saved copyHow deep is poverty in Karnali?
The poverty gap in Karnali, a measure of how far below the poverty line poor people fall on average across the whole population, was 6.25% in 2022/23, 2nd highest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 4.52%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal · saved copyHow common is child labour in Karnali?
24.1% of children aged 5 to 17 in Karnali were in child labour in 2024-25 (economic work or household chores above age-specific hour limits), 2nd highest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 12.1%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyHow common is child marriage in Karnali?
41.0% of women aged 20 to 24 in Karnali had married before their 18th birthday, according to the 2024-25 survey, the highest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 27.6%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyHow Karnali Province compares with other provinces
Population below the national poverty line (2022/23)
Karnali Province ranks 2 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Population below the national poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sudurpashchim Province | 34.16% |
| 2 | Karnali Province | 26.69% |
| 3 | Lumbini Province | 24.35% |
| 4 | Madhesh Province | 22.53% |
| 5 | Koshi Province | 17.19% |
| 6 | Bagmati Province | 12.59% |
| 7 | Gandaki Province | 11.88% |
Children aged 5-17 in child labour (2024-25)
Karnali Province ranks 2 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children aged 5-17 in child labour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sudurpashchim Province | 24.9% |
| 2 | Karnali Province | 24.1% |
| 3 | Koshi Province | 17.5% |
| 4 | Bagmati Province | 8.7% |
| 5 | Lumbini Province | 8.3% |
| 6 | Gandaki Province | 7.6% |
| 7 | Madhesh Province | 6.5% |
More on Karnali Province: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · 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: Small Area Estimation of Poverty 2023, press note: Table 1, poverty by province from the NLSS IV 2022/23 Summary Report, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9a74cff3346a…)
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