KATHMANDU: A new study has suggested that increased use of family planning methods could reduce maternal mortality in Nepal by up to 30 percent, as the country continues to remain among nations with relatively high maternal death rates.
The study notes that at least 5 percent of maternal deaths in Nepal (based on 2021 data) are linked to unsafe abortion, indicating that improved access to contraception could significantly reduce preventable deaths.
The report titled “Need for Family Planning: Greater Priority” has been jointly published by Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD), Health and Development Solutions, and the Reproductive Health Rights Working Group (RHRWG).
According to the study, modern contraceptive use in Nepal rose from 3.1 percent in 1976 to 44 percent in 2006, while total fertility rate dropped from 6.1 to 3.1 during the same period. However, progress in contraceptive use has slowed in recent years.
The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2024–25 shows contraceptive use has declined to around 34 percent. The study also highlights that unmet need for contraception remains high at 27 percent, while more than 50 percent of pregnancies are unintended.
It warns that if this trend continues, Nepal may struggle to meet its Sustainable Development Goal target of increasing contraceptive prevalence to 60 percent.
Experts involved in earlier studies, including Dr. Akinrinola Bankole of the Guttmacher Institute, said most abortions are linked to unintended pregnancies, stressing the importance of improved access to family planning services and counseling.
Researcher Dr. Mahesh Puri said Nepal must now shift its focus from population control to population management, warning that weak family planning services could pose risks to maternal and child health.
The study also highlights additional benefits of family planning, including reduced healthcare costs, improved environmental outcomes, and better education and health indicators for women and children.
However, stakeholders say access remains uneven. KP Upadhyay of Marie Stopes Nepal said donor funding cuts have affected service delivery, sometimes forcing providers to charge fees, which has reduced community acceptance.
Government officials also acknowledge declining investment in family planning programmes. Family Welfare Division official Sharmila Paudel said funding constraints, including donor policy shifts, have made programme expansion difficult.
The study further notes that migration, delayed marriage, and changing family patterns are also contributing to lower fertility rates, alongside gaps in service access.
Despite constitutional and legal guarantees ensuring reproductive health rights, experts say implementation remains weak, particularly in rural and marginalized communities.
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