Nepal Survey Reveals Persistent Regional Disparities in Child Mortality Rates

Kathmandu. Statistics have been released showing that 31 out of every one thousand children under the age of five in Nepal still die.

The results of the 'Nepal Multiple Indicator Survey 2081/82', published by the Central Bureau of Statistics on Monday, indicate that while there has been improvement in child mortality rates, provincial inequality remains.

According to the data released by the Bureau, 27 out of every one thousand live births die before reaching one year of age. Furthermore, the number of newborn deaths before reaching one month is 17 per one thousand births. This data clearly shows that much work remains to be done in the field of child health in Nepal.

The survey revealed that among the seven provinces, the situation in Sudurpashchim Province is the most dire. The mortality rate for newborns, infants, and children under five years old is the highest in Sudurpashchim compared to other provinces. 

In Sudurpashchim, 48 children per one thousand births die before reaching five years of age, which is significantly higher than the national average. Additionally, in the same province, 38 infants per one thousand births die before reaching one year, and 26 newborns die before reaching one month.

In stark contrast, the situation in Bagmati and Gandaki provinces appears comparatively better. Bagmati Province has the lowest neonatal mortality rate at 10 per one thousand births, and an infant mortality rate of 17. Looking at the under-five mortality rate, Gandaki Province shows the best situation, with statistics indicating that 20 children die per one thousand births.

The Central Bureau of Statistics stated that this survey was conducted to provide necessary data for monitoring and evaluating the status of women and children at the national and regional levels and for policy formulation. This is the fourth Multiple Indicator Survey conducted in Nepal.