The Nepal Economic Observatory

Independent research on Nepal's development, grounded in public evidence and written for a broad audience.

Ideas matter most when they lead to better decisions.

This platform brings together decades of work in development economics, public finance, governance, institutional reform, and economic policy. It highlights the principal areas of professional engagement, current research priorities, and the guiding principles that shape the work presented here. At its core is a commitment to evidence, independence, critical inquiry, and development that strengthens institutions rather than merely expanding interventions.

We connect development data with policy analysis. Our research is independent and accessible to policymakers, practitioners, and citizens of Nepal.

Three areas of work

Books, audio, and sector analysis support evidence-based discussion in Nepal.

Research & publishing

Independent books and reports examine Nepal's development partnerships, fiscal policies, and institutional frameworks.

Podcasts & media

Audio conversations explain economic issues for students, officials, and citizens.

Policy analysis

Sector-by-sector evaluations assess programs, frameworks such as World Bank CPFs, and outcomes in Nepal's communities.

Our research focus areas

These themes shape the Observatory's research and publications.

Development finance

Multilateral lending, IDA/IBRD flows, and their outcomes

Governance & federalism

Nepal's federal transition and institutional capacity

Climate & disaster resilience

Disaster risk management and climate adaptation across sectors

Social policy & inclusion

Gender, equity, and evaluations of social protection programs

Trade & regional integration

Nepal's economic links with India, China, and other markets

Digital economy

ICT readiness, digital governance, and technology in development

Guiding principles

How we approach research on Nepal's future.

Independence

No institutional funding. Research uses evidence and remains independent of advocacy.

Rigor

Every claim grounded in publicly available data, CPF evaluations, and IEG reports.

Accessibility

Complex economics explained for a wide audience.

Impact

Research intended to inform policy conversations.