Internet access in Nepal has reached nearly 98 percent: Officials

Kathmandu -  A senior Nepali official has said internet penetration in the Himalayan nation has reached nearly 98 percent.

“Internet penetration in Nepal has reached nearly 98 percent,” said Radhika Aryal, Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT)), addressing a programme organised to launch UN Human Development Report 2025 on 10^th June.

She, however,  acknowledged that the benefits of digital transformation are not equally shared.

“Access gaps, limited digital literacy, and underrepresentation in leadership roles remain critical challenges, particularly in underserved communities,” she said.

“We are revising the Digital Nepal Framework, updating the National Information and Communication Technology Policy, and modernising the Telecommunications Act. At the same time, new instruments such as the Information Technology and Cybersecurity Bill and the National Artificial Intelligence Policy are being developed to guide responsible and secure digital advancement,” said Mrs Aryal.

Secretary Aryal said that Nepal government focused on national data centres, digital identity platforms, and an integrated e-governance system. “These initiatives aim to enhance transparency, strengthen service delivery, and build public trust in digital governance,” she added.

Nepal makes progress in HDI

Nepal has ranked 145th out of 193 countries in the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Human Development Index (HDI) for 2025, with a score of 0.622. The country remains in the medium human development category, continuing its gradual progress in recent decades.

This year’s Human Development Report, themed “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” warns that global HDI progress, already disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, is losing momentum.

“The advancement in HDI, though modest, reflects our consistent investment in human capital and the growing role of digital innovation in enhancing health, education, and public service delivery,” said Mrs Aryal.

From 1990 to 2023, Nepal’s HDI value increased by 54 percent.

“This progress, above the global average, reflects Nepal’s efforts to expand access to health and education, implement social protection programmes, and pursue targeted anti-poverty measures,” said Ms Kyoko Yokosuka, UNDP resident representative for Nepal.

Despite the achievements, Yokosuka said Nepal still has a long road ahead to reach the high human development category—a goal requiring sustained investment and innovation.