Socio-Economic Data of the Greater Lumbini Area

The three districts of Rupendehi, Nawalparasi and Kapilvastu cover an area of 5,260 sq km with a total population of 2,095,640(census 2011). Poverty is rampant within the three districts and large segments of the population in the Greater Lumbini area lack access to basic facilities. For instance, in Nawalparasi, 8 Village Development Committees (VDC) still do not have access to roads and 40 percent of its population has no access to electricity ( Nepal Living Standard Survey 2004). The literacy rate in Nawalparasi is 72.9 percent (census 2011). In Kapilvastu, the level of poverty and socio-economic development is still worse, with 80 percent of the population having no access to electricity (Census of Manufacturing Establishments, 2007) and a literacy rate of only 58.64 percent (Census 2011)