In 2022, an estimated 20.3 per cent of Nepalis lived below the poverty line. In this landscape, begging has emerged as both a survival strategy and a symptom of systemic failure. While present throughout the nation, Kathmandu has become its primary hub. The capital’s streets, temples, and tourist areas attract migrants seeking survival opportunities from across Nepal and beyond.
A 2014 municipal record estimated around 5,000 people begging in Kathmandu, a figure that has fluctuated but still signals the city’s role as a hub. According to the estimated data of Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN), there are 5,000 to 6,000 street children in Nepal; Kathmandu alone has 1,500 to 2,000 of them. 70 per cent or more of street children are boys.