Making Nepal's Data OpenandAccessible For All

Nepal is currently in a demographic dividend phase, with a historically high share of working-age population and a declining dependency burden. This creates a short-term opportunity to boost economic growth through higher productivity, savings, and investment. However, declining fertility and a rising elderly population mean this window is temporary, making timely investments in jobs and human capital crucial.

For the average worker in Nepal, the last seventeen years have been a volatile balancing act between rising earnings and a relentless cost of living. While nominal wages have surged by over 320% since 2009, the "Real Wage Gap"—the difference between wage growth and inflation—reveals a story of lumpy progress and sudden erasures of purchasing power.

Child labour in Nepal remains a widespread and structured issue, despite strong laws and national commitments. It disproportionately affects younger children, girls, rural households, and those living in less developed provinces, with agriculture accounting for the vast majority of child labour. Children who are out of school are significantly more likely to work, especially adolescents, reinforcing cycles of vulnerability. Overall, the data shows that child labour is driven by poverty, gender norms, regional inequality, and limited access to education, requiring targeted and evidence-based interventions.