Exclusive breastfeeding in Nepal

Nepal: Exclusive breastfeeding was 62.1% in 2019. ▼ Falling

Latest (2019)
62.1%
Change on year
down 4.6%
World rank
13th
of 72 countries
All-time high
74.8%
in 1996
All-time low
53.2%
in 2006
Years of data
8
1996–2019

Exclusive breastfeeding in Nepal, 1996–2019

0204060801996200720191996: 74.8 % of children under 6 months2001: 68.3 % of children under 6 months2006: 53.2 % of children under 6 months2011: 69.6 % of children under 6 months2014: 56.7 % of children under 6 months2016: 66.1 % of children under 6 months2017: 65.2 % of children under 6 months2019: 62.1 % of children under 6 months

Source: State of the World's Children, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Measured in % of children under 6 months.

Analysis

The most recent figure for exclusive breastfeeding in Nepal is 62.1%, measured in 2019.

The figure is down 4.6% on the previous year and down 10.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, exclusive breastfeeding in Nepal peaked at 74.8% in 1996 and was at its lowest, 53.2%, in 2006.

Nepal ranks 13th of 72 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Exclusive breastfeeding in Nepal, year by year

Annual values for Exclusive breastfeeding (% of children under 6 months) in Nepal, 1996 to 2019.
Year % of children under 6 months Change
1996 74.8%
2001 68.3% -8.6%
2006 53.2% -22.1%
2011 69.6% +30.8%
2014 56.7% -18.6%
2016 66.1% +16.6%
2017 65.2% -1.4%
2019 62.1% -4.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 74.8% 74.8% 74.8% 1
2000s 60.8% 53.2% 68.3% 2
2010s 63.9% 56.7% 69.6% 5

Countries ranked near Nepal

  1. 10 Eswatini 63.8% compare
  2. 11 Sao Tome and Principe 63.1% compare
  3. 12 Bangladesh 62.6% compare
  4. 14 Kenya 61.4% compare
  5. 15 Malawi 59.4% compare
  6. 16 Guinea-Bissau 59.3% compare

See the full ranking of 72 places →

More health data for Nepal

All data for Nepal →

Frequently asked questions

What is exclusive breastfeeding in Nepal?
Exclusive breastfeeding in Nepal was 62.1% in 2019, according to State of the World's Children, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
What is the highest exclusive breastfeeding recorded in Nepal?
The highest recorded value was 74.8% in 1996.
What is the lowest exclusive breastfeeding recorded in Nepal?
The lowest recorded value was 53.2% in 2006.
How does Nepal rank for exclusive breastfeeding?
Nepal ranks 13th out of 72 countries with data for 2019.
Is exclusive breastfeeding rising or falling in Nepal?
Over the last ten years it is down 10.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Nepal data come from?
The figures come from State of the World's Children, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), published as part of Exclusive breastfeeding (% of children under 6 months). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Exclusive breastfeeding in Nepal. Statizoid, drawing on State of the World's Children, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Retrieved 06 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/exclusive-breastfeeding-percent-of-children-under-6-months/nepal/

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About this data

Indicator
Exclusive breastfeeding (% of children under 6 months)
Unit
% of children under 6 months
Source
State of the World's Children, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
72 places, 509 data points, 1986–2020
Last refreshed

Exclusive breastfeeding refers to the percentage of children less than six months old who are fed breast milk alone (no other liquids) in the past 24 hours.