Poverty

Poverty in Nepal is widespread, unevenly distributed, and relatively constant with no significant decline in poverty incidence from 1981 to 2001. Among the 42% poverty incidence there are large disparities across geographical regions and between excluded and less excluded groups. Poverty refers to the condition of not having the means to afford basic human needs such as clean water, nutrition, health care, clothing and shelter. This is also referred to as absolute poverty or destitution.
Relative poverty is the condition of having fewer resources or less income than others within a society or country, or compared to worldwide averages.