March 25: The percentage of the population living in their own houses in the country has decreased, according to the latest data of the government. The National Census 2078 report shows that 86 percent of the families in Nepal live in their own houses.

The census report under the heading of Housing and Household Dynamics in Nepal, which was published by the National Statistics Office a few days ago, shows that the number of families living in their own houses at present is less than the figures compared to 30 years ago.

According to the office, the number of families having their own houses was 92.6 percent in 2048 BS. By 2078 BS, it has decreased to 86 percent. There has been an increase in the number of families living on rent in the last 30 years.

In 2048 BS, the number of families living on rent was 4.7 percent, but by 2078 BS, the number of such families has reached 12.8 percent. This number has been stable for the last one decade. Even in 2068, the number of families living on rent was 12.8 percent.

According to the office, the number of families living on rent in the municipality is 18 percent. Similarly, data shows that 81 percent of the families in the municipality are living in their own houses/apartments. Most of the families living in the municipality have their own house/accommodation.

Meanwhile, 97 percent of the families living in the villages own their own houses. The office has also published the number of families living on rent in the provinces. The number of families living on rent is high in Bagmati Province, while it is lowest in Madhesh Province.

According to the office, the number of families living on rent in Madhesh Province is 2.3 percent. According to this data, more people are living on rent in the valley due to the services and facilities centered in the federal capital Kathmandu as well as opportunities from higher education and health facilities.

District-wise, the number of people living in their own houses in Kathmandu is 43 percent. Recently, the number of people living in concrete houses has also increased. This is seen when comparing the data from 2058 BS and 2078 BS. According to the office, the number of families with concrete residential houses in 2058 was 36.6 percent. By 2078, it has increased to 76.5 percent.