Development snapshot: Gandaki leads while Karnali and Sudurpashchim trail, govt survey shows

KATHMANDU: A province-wise comparison from the Fourth Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024/25 (2081/82 BS) reveals widening contrasts in household infrastructure access across Nepal, with Gandaki and Bagmati provinces emerging as leaders in key development indicators, while Karnali and Sudurpashchim continue to lag behind in electricity and communication access. The data provide one of the clearest statistical pictures of regional development balance in the federal structure.

Electricity Access: Gandaki at the Top

Nationally, 96.7% of households have access to electricity, but provincial distribution shows uneven progress. Gandaki Province ranks first, with 99.5% of households connected to a continuous electricity source, effectively placing the province at near-universal electrification. Close behind are Bagmati (including Kathmandu Valley) and Madhesh, both approaching universal coverage. Koshi Province also performs strongly at 97.2% household access.

At the lower end, Karnali Province records only 80.8% of households with reliable electricity access — the lowest in the country. Rural Karnali is even more underserved, with only 74.8% coverage. Sudurpashchim Province also shows significant infrastructure gaps, with 78.2% of households having electricity service. These figures underscore geographic and logistical challenges in western mountainous regions.

Urban vs Rural Divide

Urban–rural disparities remain visible nationwide. Urban electricity access stands at 98.2%, compared to 93.7% in rural areas. Provinces with large rural populations, especially Karnali and Sudurpashchim, show the widest gaps, suggesting that terrain, remoteness, and grid extension costs continue to shape regional inequality.

Telephone and Communication Access

In telecommunications, 95.5% of Nepali households have access to a telephone service (mobile or landline). Bagmati Province leads, with 97.1% connectivity — reflecting its urbanization, economic concentration, and telecom infrastructure density. Provinces such as Gandaki, Koshi, and Madhesh also show high penetration.

Again, Sudurpashchim ranks lowest at 92.6%, highlighting persistent digital and communication access challenges in the far-western region. Though differences in telecom access are narrower than in electricity, they still point to uneven digital inclusion.

Overall Provincial Standing

(Telephone access for some provinces categorized based on relative survey positioning.)

Survey Scope

The survey covered 12,960 households across 540 clusters, with 304 urban and 236 rural clusters, ensuring national representativeness. Each cluster included 24 sampled households, making it one of the most comprehensive recent socio-economic datasets.

Development Implications

The data show that provinces with stronger urban centers, hydropower resources, and tourism economies — particularly Gandaki and Bagmati — have achieved higher infrastructure penetration. Meanwhile, mountainous terrain, sparse populations, and logistical constraints slow progress in Karnali and Sudurpashchim.

Policy experts note that Nepal’s next development phase must move beyond national averages toward regionally targeted interventions, including rural electrification programs, off-grid renewable systems, and telecom expansion in remote zones.

The MICS findings provide a critical evidence base for federal and provincial governments as they design policies aimed at reducing inequality and achieving balanced regional development.