REPORT SHOWS FALL IN POVERTY LEVELS IN NEPAL

Text of report by Radio Nepal on 4 May

A survey has shown that poverty levels in the country have declined in the
past eight years.

According to analysis based on the Nepal Living Standards Survey 2061-62 people living below the poverty line have declined by about 11 per cent from 42% of the total population to 31%.

This was revealed at a function organized by the National Planning
Commission and the World Bank in Kathmandu today.

The survey based on family date estimates that villagers living below the poverty line have declined from 43% to 35% in the past eight years while in the urban areas the figure went down from 22% to 10%.

Vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission credited the decline to economic reforms, financial sector reform, better export figures, popular participation in development works and up to 80% assistance by the non-government organization in meeting the needs of the target groups.

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Source: Radio Nepal, Kathmandu, in Nepali 1115 gmt 4 May 05