Paradox of Nepal’s democratic success

Nepalis have the freedom to choose, speak and migrate, but rarely the ability to prosper at home.

Nepal is inadvertently democratic. According to the 2024 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, Nepal ranks first out of six South Asian countries for rule of law, ahead of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It ranks 48th globally in terms of constraints on government powers. Press freedom ranks 76th as of 2022, compared to 120th in 2014. Nepal has successfully transitioned from monarchy to federal democratic republic, held multiple rounds of free and fair elections under its 2015 constitution and maintained civilian rule. By these democratic metrics, it reflects a genuine transformation.