Kathmandu: UNICEF presented a new advocacy brief on the realities, inequalities, and opportunities shaping the lives of children in Nepal titled “Imagining Nepal as a Country of 100 People” on May 6. The publication draws on findings from the Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2024–25, conducted by the National Statistics Office in close partnership with UNICEF.
The brief introduces an innovative way of understanding data by reimagining Nepal as a country of 100 people. Through this lens, statistics are transformed from abstract numbers into relatable human realities—making disparities clearer and more urgent.
“Nepal’s challenge today is not only to accelerate progress, but to ensure that progress is fair—reaching every child, especially those who have been left behind,” said Dhundi Raj Lamichhane, Deputy Chief Statistician of the National Statistics Office.
By simplifying complex data into accessible insights, the publication sheds light on both Nepal’s progress and the persistent inequalities that remain hidden behind the national averages. These include disparities between provinces, urban and rural communities, and across wealth and social groups.
“At its heart, this publication reminds us that behind every number is a child—their health, education, safety, and future,” said Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative to Nepal. “While many children are thriving, too many still face disadvantages that limit their opportunities from the very start of life.”
The brief emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing these disparities to ensure that no child is left behind. It also goes beyond identifying challenges by outlining actionable solutions for the next five years. These include both transformative, large-scale investments and practical, immediate actions that can accelerate progress for children.
The recommendations are designed to support government, development partners, the private sector, and the media in making informed, equitable, and impactful decisions.
“I want to express our commitment to this (children’s) agenda very deeply and seek your partnership in strengthening governance. In this year’s policy framing, as a member of the National Planning Commission informing the Ministry of Women, Children, Elderly, People with Disabilities and Minority, as a member enabling Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, together with the priority to increase our indices in the Social Development Goals 3, 4, 5 and 6, I have recommended certain policy articulations that prioritize the expansion of access to better healthcare services in the deep rural areas of Nepal,” said Reshu Aryal Dhungana, Honorable Member of the National Planning Commission. “So, my appeal and request to our bigger stakeholder community over here, international development partners, everybody, is that let’s enable this process.”
As Nepal continues its development journey, the publication serves as a timely and accessible evidence base to guide policy and investment decisions—ensuring that progress is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
Ultimately, the brief is a call to action. By imagining Nepal as a country of 100 people, every child becomes visible, every disparity matters, and every decision carries a human face.
UNICEF urges all stakeholders to act with urgency and purpose to ensure that every child in Nepal—regardless of where they are born—has the opportunity to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.
