The magnitudes and caste/ethnic bases of transient and chronic poverty in Nepal: A longitudinal household-level analysis (2014)

Using panel data from the Nepal Living Standard Surveys, this paper examines the dynamics of chronic and transient poverty and their socioeconomic determinants between 1996 and 2011

Economic Inequality in Kathmandu: A Multi-Indicator Perspective

Studying economic inequality is increasingly important because of its multidimensional effects on human and societal well-being. This paper examines economic inequality in Kathmandu using wealth, income, and consumption as its indicators. Amidst the finding that wealth, income, and consumption have mutually reinforcing relationships, recent survey data indicate that high income many not necessarily accumulate into wealth as normally expected. Data also show that the household and householder characteristics somewhat differ when it comes to explaining disparities in household wealth, income, and consumption. The suggestion that spatial segregation, human capital and capability, inheritance, and household composition are important determinants of economic inequality—with almost no systematic role for discrimination—provides enormous implications for policies aimed at curbing economic inequality in Kathmandu

Economic Inequality in the Democratic\u27 Nepal: Dimensions and Implications\u27

Reports indicate increasing economic inequality in Nepal during the era of parliamentary democracy begun in 1990. The extent and the mechanisms by which this increase has occurred are not fully understood, however. Using micro level survey data on consumption expenditures, incomes, and wealth, this paper finds large and slightly increasing economic inequality between 1996 and 2004. Income from house rental, employment, businesses, and remittances as well as the stock of wealth in real estate and housing and businesses are the leading sources of inequality. Horizontal and vertical inequalities have increased along the caste/ethnic and spatial lines, providing a strong impetus to the ongoing political instability in the country. These dimensions of inequality have important social, political, and policy implications in the country

Remittance to Nepal from foreign employment: Changes and implications

Using data from the 1995/96 and 2003/2004 waves of the Nepal Living Standard Survey (NLSS), this paper examines how large a role remittance is playing in the household economy nationwide, how different socioeconomic and demographic groups have benefitted from it, and how it is changing over time. The analysis will be both horizontal across groups and temporal over time

The Impact of Foreign Remittances on Poverty in Nepal: A Panel Study of Household Survey Data, 1996-2011

Using data from the longitudinal panel surveys of 1996, 2004, and 2011, this paper examines the dynamics of foreign remittances and their impact on poverty in Nepal. The intent is to explore how foreign remittances have evolved and impacted poverty and economic well-being of households. Focusing on a consistent set of households across the three survey rounds in a balanced panel format helps examine the effect of foreign remittances with appropriate controls. Results from methodologically consistent, random-effects regressions that correct for potential attrition and heterogeneity bias support significant poverty-reducing and, more accurately, economic well-being-enhancing effects of foreign remittances especially when originating in countries other than India. This and other findings are valuable to the assessment of policies on utilizing foreign labor migration and remittances as a vehicle to reduce poverty in Nepal

Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Hondurans, and Colombians: A Scan of Needs of Recent Latin American Immigrants to the Boston Area

The 2000 U.S. Census brought confirmation of the increase of the Latino population and of the growing diversity of Latino national groups that now make this region their home. Latinos now number 428,729, a 55% increase over their numbers in 1990. In 30 years, the Latino population has increased six-fold, and from its initial concentrations in Springfield, Holyoke, and Boston its presence is now a fact across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Latinos are also showing increasing diversity, matching that of the Northeast region and exceeding that of the nation. At the national level, Mexicans have a dominance that dwarfs all other groups: 59% of all Latinos in the US counted by the Census are Mexican. Puerto Ricans and Cubans, the next two largest groups, are many numerical steps behind. In the Northeast region, Puerto Ricans dominate but not in such an overwhelming way. They account for 40% of the region’s Latinos; there is also a salient representation of Dominicans, Salvadorans, and Colombians. In Massachusetts, Puerto Ricans compose the largest group, accounting for 46% of the Latino population, followed by Dominicans, Mexicans, Salvadorans, and Colombians. The diversity of the Latino population in Massachusetts began to be visible during the 1980’s and took frank hold in the 1990’s. Puerto Ricans arrived in the region in large numbers after World War II and settled in Springfield, Boston, Holyoke, and Lawrence. Until 2000, Puerto Ricans made up the majority of the Latino population of the state. In fact, they continue to exhibit a healthy rate of growth: 36.4% in the last 10 years. But in this period, groups of other Latin American origin have experienced even greater growth. Dominicans, Mexicans, and Central and South Americans have experienced rates of growth in the range of 60 to 70% in the last 10 years. Dominicans are the second largest group in the region, accounting for 11.6% of the Latino population. The growth of the Mexican population has also been significant, making this group the third largest in the region today

Anxiety and depression among people living in quarantine centers during COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed method study from western Nepal

Background In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, incoming travelers were quarantined at specific centers in Nepal and major checkpoints in Nepal-India border. Nepal adopted a generic public health approaches to control and quarantine returnee migrants, with little attention towards the quality of quarantine facilities and its aftermath, such as the poor mental health of the returnee migrants. The main objective of this study was to explore the status of anxiety and depression, and factors affecting them among returnee migrants living in institutional quarantine centers of western Nepal. Methods A mixed method approach in this study included a quantitative survey and in-depth interviews (IDIs) among respondents in quarantine centers of Karnali province between 21st April and 15th May 2020. Survey questionnaire utilized Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) tools, which were administered among 441 quarantined returnee migrants. IDIs were conducted among 12 participants which included a mix of six quarantined migrants and healthcare workers each from the quarantine centres. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted on quantitative data; and thematic analysis was utilized for qualitative data. Results Mild depression (9.1%; 40/441) and anxiety (16.1%; 71/441) was common among respondents followed by moderate depression and anxiety {depression (3.4%; 15/441), anxiety (4.1%; 18/441)} and severe depression and anxiety {depression (1.1%; 5/441), anxiety (0.7%; 3/441)}. Anxiety and depression were independent of their socio-demographic characteristics. Perceived fear of contracting COVID-19, severity and death were prominent among the respondents. Respondents experienced stigma and discrimination in addition to being at the risk of disease and possible loss of employment and financial responsibilities. In addition, poor (quality and access to) health services, and poor living condition at the quarantine centres adversely affected respondents’ mental health. Conclusion Depression and anxiety were high among quarantined population and warrants more research. Institutional quarantine centers of Karnali province of Nepal were in poor conditions which adversely impacted mental health of the respondents. Poor resource allocation for health, hygiene and living conditions can be counterproductive to the population quarantined

Economic inequality in the \u27democratic\u27 Nepal: dimensions and implications

Published reports have indicated that economic inequality greatly increased in Nepal during the era of parliamentary democracy that began in 1990. This paper revisits these inequality estimates by utilizing the same original, Nepal Living Standard Survey data collected in 1996 and 2004, on which the reported estimates are based. But this paper goes beyond the specific resources and methodologies used in the reported, official estimates toward providing a more comprehensive picture of economic inequality

Inclusive Democracy and Economic Inequality in South Asia: Any Discernible Link?

Studies of the relationship between political democracy and economic inequality have produced diverse findings. This study attempts to mitigate some conceptual and methodological problems inherent in such studies by using multi-indicator concepts of inclusive democracy and economic inequality. Data from the five major historically and culturally homogeneous South Asian countries covering 1980-2003 suggest some bidirectional, positive relationship between inclusive democracy and economic inequality indicating that democracy and equality may not be fully compatible in this region. The paper offers contextual explanations and some mechanisms that may have led to these findings for the region, somewhat deviating from the conventional arguments.inclusive democracy, political and civil liberties, democratic institutions, economic inequality, panel data, South Asia,