Nepal

Nepal faces a significant economic challenge characterized by extremely low GDP per capita, indicating widespread poverty, coupled with high inflation. The combination of slow economic growth (2.0%) and high price increases (7.1%) severely limits improvements in living standards for the average citizen.

A high percentage of Nepal's population (66.5%) is classified as urban, which is unusual for a country with such a low GDP per capita. This suggests rapid and potentially unplanned urbanization, placing immense pressure on infrastructure and resources in major centers like Kathmandu.

Despite being a low-income country, Nepal has achieved near-universal access to electricity, reaching 94% of the population. This high connectivity rate is a major success story, likely driven by significant hydropower development, and provides a crucial foundation for future industrial and social development.

Nepal exhibits a relatively low infant mortality rate (23.3 per 1,000 live births) compared to many countries with similar income levels in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. This suggests successful public health interventions, particularly in maternal and child health, contributing to a respectable life expectancy of 70.35 years.