Health in Madhesh Province, Nepal: official figures
For every 1,000 babies born in Madhesh in the five years before the 2024-25 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 30 died before their first birthday and 33 before their fifth; the under-five rate is 3rd highest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 27 and 31).
How many children in Madhesh are malnourished?
31.1% of children under five in Madhesh were stunted (too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition) in 2024-25, 7.4% were wasted (too thin for their height) and 23.2% underweight; the stunting rate is 2nd highest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 26.2%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyHow many children in Madhesh are vaccinated?
87.3% of children aged 12 to 23 months in Madhesh had all basic vaccines (BCG, three doses of polio and of DTP, and measles-rubella) in 2024-25, 2nd lowest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 89.4%); 1.7% had none.
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyDo women in Madhesh give birth in a health facility?
83.2% of recent births in Madhesh took place in a health facility and 16.8% at home (2024-25), the lowest of the 7 provinces for facility births (Nepal: 90.5%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyDo pregnant women in Madhesh get antenatal care?
70.4% of women in Madhesh who gave birth in the two years before the survey had at least four antenatal check-ups and 23.2% had eight or more, the lowest 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 Madhesh have health insurance?
3.5% of children under five in Madhesh were covered by health insurance in 2024-25, the lowest of the 7 provinces (Nepal: 11.7%).
Source: National Statistics Office, Government of Nepal (with UNICEF) · saved copyHow Madhesh Province compares with other provinces
Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (5 years before the survey) (2020-2025)
Madhesh Province ranks 3 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)
Madhesh Province ranks 2 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)
Madhesh Province ranks 6 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 Madhesh 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.