The hill population is doing better than the Terai population

Poverty declined in Nepal between 1995/96 and 2003/04. Bahuns, Gurungs and Yadavs had the lowest poverty rate in 2003, while Tamangs and Dalits of both the hills and the Terai had the highest poverty rate. The population of hill origin were generally better off than the population of Terai origin, illustrated by hill Dalits having higher level of primary education than even the middle castes of Terai (different groups are regarded as Dalits). Only when it comes to access to safe drinking water, the Terai communities scored better than the hill communities. This is explained by widespread use of tube wells in the Terai. 

 

Access to primary education has increased since the mid-90s (illustration photo). Photo: Kristine Storholt

Education

In spite of the gloomy reality that around half of Nepal’s population was illiterate in 2004, there was progress on several social indicators since the mid-90s. Access to primary education increased, and the change was particularly evident for the Tharus, the largest ethnic community of the Terai. Rural areas of the Western Terai also experienced a remarkable progress with a literacy level equal to the national level. In comparison, there was only 37 per cent literacy in the Eastern Terai. The Terai Dalits were worse off, with almost no primary education.

 

Health

When it comes to safe drinking water and access to basic health services, the population in Terai was better off than the people of the hills. However, the authors of the report argue that there is

Agricultural wages were only half of non-agricultural wages in 2004 (illustration photo). Photo: Kristine Storholt

no automatic link between these indicators and health outcomes. Terai groups, including the middle castes, had for instance many underweight children and a high infant mortality in 2004. Yet, infant mortality dropped remarkably between 1995/96 and 2003/04. Also on health indicators the Tharus represent an exception, since Tharu children were as well nourished as hill Bahun/Chettris and hill Janajatis.

 

Economic progress

All groups with the exception of the Tamangs increased their real income. Hill Bahuns and Gurungs experienced a tremendous improvement in economic income between the mid-90s and 2003/04.

 

Rural landlessness was at the time of the last data collection highest in the Eastern Terai, and there were many landless Dalit and Muslim households. There was also a greater population pressure on the land in the East than in the Western Terai. The size of the land was generally decreasing since the number of household had risen. In Terai it was the traditional Tharu and Yadav landlords which were best off regarding size and value of land, while the Bahuns held this position in the hills.

 

Both real agricultural and non-agricultural wages increased slightly between 1995/96 and 2003/04. The non-agricultural wages were double compared to the agricultural wages, which means that shifting from farm labour to non-farm labour proved to be a path out of poverty.

 

Resource for decision makers

The Embassy sees social science research in Nepal as key to building evidence based knowledge about historical and developmental characteristics of the Nepalese society. About 170 reports funded by the Social Inclusion Research Fund are beginning to reveal how recent political, economic and social changes affect different groups in society and how these differences and changes can be accommodated. “Research is a great resource for decision makers to make informed decisions”, says Kristine H. Storholt, Counsellor at the Norwegian Embassy.

 

Dr. Magnus Hatlebakk (CMI), one of the Norwegian authors of the report, informs that the research results have been presented in seminars where members from the National Planning Commission (NPC) have been present, as well as in task-force for Inclusive Growth. “The best way to disseminate social research results however, may be through Nepalese colleagues who are advising policy makers,” he says.

 

 

The report Statistical Evidence on Social and Economic Exclusion in Nepal, written by Arun K.L. Das (Tribhuvan University) and Magnus Hatlebakk (Chr. Michelsen institute), analyses changes in poverty levels and other human development indicators during the conflict period. The research is based on data collected in 1995/96 and 2003/2004, and is part of the larger CMI-TU research program on “Social Exclusion and Democratic Inclusion in Nepal”. This Nepali-Norwegian research cooperation is part of the Research Programme on Social Inclusion and Nation Building funded by the Social Inclusion Research Fund (SIRF). The Norwegian embassy has contributed to SIRF since 2005. The embassy’s support funds research cooperation between Nepali and Norwegian institutions, as well as support to individual Nepali researchers.