Opinion | An uncommon test of political readiness
Summary
Nepal faces intertwined crises of political instability, stagnant economic growth, and escalating climate impacts, with ineffective leadership hindering meaningful solutions. Recent years have seen worsening environmental disasters alongside economic challenges, highlighting the urgent need for visionary political leadership and coordinated action.
Key Points
- Nepal is confronting overlapping crises of political instability, sluggish economic growth, weakened social capital, and worsening climate impacts.
- For two decades, no single party has achieved a parliamentary majority, resulting in unstable coalition governments that have neglected pressing public issues.
- Nepal's economic growth has been modest and uneven, projected to decline to 2.1 percent in 2026 amid political instability and protest-driven disruptions.
- Climate change has amplified environmental disasters, including floods, landslides, droughts, and wildfires, with 2026 expected to see increased warming and severe weather events exacerbating social and economic stresses.
