Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2024-25

Overview

The National Statistics Office (NSO), in partnership with UNICEF, has released the findings of the Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (NMICS) 2024–25, providing a comprehensive overview of the situation of children, adolescents, women, and households across the country.

The survey, conducted under the Global MICS Programme, collected high-quality, internationally comparable data to help monitor progress toward national development goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also highlights disparities and informs policies aimed at promoting social inclusion of the most vulnerable populations.

The NMICS 2024–25 covered both urban and rural areas across all seven provinces—Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim—with Kathmandu Valley included as a separate stratum due to its unique characteristics. A total of 540 enumeration areas and 12,960 households were surveyed.

Key findings

Child Mortality

• The infant mortality rate (deaths before reaching one year of age) is 27 per 1,000 live births.
• The under-five mortality rate is 31 per 1,000 live births.
• The neonatal mortality rate (deaths within the first month of life) is 17 per 1,000 live births.
• By province, Sudurpashchim has the highest neonatal mortality rate (26 per 1,000), while Bagmati has the lowest (10 per 1,000).
• Sudurpashchim also has the highest infant mortality rate (38 per 1,000) and under-five mortality rate (48 per 1,000).
• Gandaki Province has the lowest under-five mortality rate, at 20 per 1,000 live births.

Tobacco Use

• 5.1% of women and 41.8% of men (aged 15–49 years) used some form of tobacco in the month preceding the survey.

Reproductive and Maternal Health

• The total fertility rate is 1.9 live births per woman (aged 15–49 years).
• 85.0% of women who gave birth in the two years preceding the survey had at least four antenatal care (ANC) visits with a health worker.
• 90.5% of births took place in a health facility, and 91.4% were attended by skilled birth attendants.

Child Health, Nutrition, and Development

• 24.3% of children under five are underweight, and 31.5% are stunted (short for their age).
• 69.7% of mothers exclusively breastfeed their children during the first six months.
• 80.7% of children aged 12–23 months received all recommended vaccinations within their first year of life.

Water and Sanitation

• 98.2% of the population uses improved drinking water sources.
• However, water quality tests detected E. coli bacteria (≥1 CFU/100 ml) in the drinking water of 60.4% of households.
• 92.4% of household members use improved sanitation facilities.

Health Insurance

• 17.8% of women and 19.6% of men (aged 15–49 years) have health insurance coverage.
• 15.0% of children aged 5–17 years and 11.7% of children under five are covered by health insurance.