Moving in the right direction: Development and change on the ground in Nepal

This paper summarises the findings of a longitudinal survey, involving 3,000 individuals

Abstract

Between the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2006, which ended a decade long conflict, and the devastating earthquake in 2015, Nepal has experienced a period of gradual and uneven transition. This has culminated in the signing into law of a new Constitution (2015) after years of political deadlock.

This briefing paper summarises the findings of a two wave longitudinal survey by the SLRC, involving 3,000 individuals in 2012 and 2015. The survey found that there had been some improvement in people’s livelihoods, an increased satisfaction in services, a decrease in negative perceptions of government, yet persisting socio-economic inequalities.

Key policy messages include:

  • Support households to adapt their income streams, particularly during tougher periods, is sensible policy, as better livelihood outcomes appear linked to an ability to move into different activities.
  • Meaningful service delivery is linked to the experience at the point of delivery and interaction with the provider, which impacts perceptions of the government.
  • Groups cannot all be considered to progress at the same rate and there needs to be measures to halt the widening of socio-economic inequalities.

This research was funded under the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium (SLRC) programme

Citation

Mallett, R., 2017. Moving in the right direction: Development and change on the ground in Nepal, Briefing Paper, London: Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium, 4p

Moving in the right direction: Development and change on the ground in Nepal

Published 11 April 2017