Exclusive breastfeeding (% of children under 6 months) in Nepal
Nepal: Exclusive breastfeeding (% of children under 6 months) was 62.1% in 2019. ▼ Falling
Exclusive breastfeeding in Nepal, 1996–2019
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 (% of children under 6 months) in Nepal, year by year
| 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% |
Nepal compared with similar countries
- Nepal's 62.1% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 46.7%, 1.3× the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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
- 10 Eswatini 63.8% compare
- 11 Sao Tome and Principe 63.1% compare
- 12 Bangladesh 62.6% compare
- 14 Kenya 61.4% compare
- 15 Malawi 59.4% compare
- 16 Guinea-Bissau 59.3% compare
More health data for Nepal
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.95 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.8518 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 955 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 3 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -1.17 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0451 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.11 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0467 units per person (2025)
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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About this data
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.