Nepal Multidimensional Poverty Index: Analysis towards action 2021 presents updated MPI figures and additional indicators reflecting the relationship between multidimensional poverty and vulnerability towards COVID-19 in Nepal. This report by the Government of Nepal National Planning Commission in partnership with OPHI, UNDP, and UNICEF uses 2014 and 2019 data from the Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (NMICS).

Nepal uses the MPI to monitor and evaluate multidimensional poverty reduction over time and to meet its national development plans and SDG targets. In the 2021 report, the MPI was used to identify who is most vulnerable to COVID-19.

• Citation: CBS and OPHI (2021). Nepal Multidimensional Poverty Index: Analysis towards action. Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) of the Government of Nepal, and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). Kathmandu.

The 2018 report was produced by the Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal and OPHI. It presents the results of the Nepal’s first official national Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) based on Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2014. The Nepal MPI is based on the structure of the global MPI with adaptations to the indicator definitions. 

• Citation: CBS and OPHI (2018). Nepal Multidimensional Poverty Index: Analysis towards action. Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) of the Government of Nepal, and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). Kathmandu.

Poverty Cut-Off: A person is considered poor if they are deprived in one third of more of the 10 weighted indicators. In 2021 the structure of the Nepal National MPI was revised to adjust the definitions of some of the original indicators. 

The annual global MPI produced by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative in partnership with the Human Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Programme is an internationally comparable index of acute multidimensional poverty. OPHI publishes Country Briefings summarising poverty statistics of the global MPI for each country.     

Visit the most recent Global MPI Country Briefing for Nepal based on DHS year 2022.

Official institution responsible for statistics

• Central Bureau of Statistics 
• National Planning Commission of Nepal 

Events

• 7 March 2018 | Suman Raj Aryal, Director General, Central Bureau of Statistics at UNSC 49 Side Event
• 23 September 2021 | Intervention by H.E. Biswo Nath Poudel, Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission at UNGA 76 Side Event
• 13 September 2020 | Intervention by H.E. K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal 

Dimensions articles  

• December 2019 | A Day in the Life: Living in multidimensional poverty in Nepal, Tamang’s story | MPPN

VNRs   

• June 2020 | Nepal National Review of Sustainable Development Goals, p59
• July 2017 | Nepal National Review of Sustainable Development Goals, p14