Nepal; children of the Terai, Rapti Valley, 1986

Nepal; four children of the Terai, Rapti Valley, 1986. The large bellies of these children are evidence of the fact that malnutrition is not uncommon even in Nepal's richest economic region. Although agricultural production from 1974-1989 increased as an average annual rate of 2.4%, it did not keep pace with population growth which increased at 2.6%. Two of these children carry school books. By 1990, the literacy rate in Nepal was estimated at 33% although there was a wide gap between male and female literacy.