Kathmandu: The economic growth rate of the country is projected to reach 7.3 percent in the next five years. This target is set under the 16th Plan, made public by the National Planning Commission on Wednesday. Presenting the 16th Plan, Commission Spokesperson Yamlal Bhusal stated that the goal is to increase the economic growth rate to 7.3 percent by 2029/30, up from 3.9 percent. Additionally, the 16th Plan aims to raise per capita income to USD 2,351.

The plan also targets reducing the population below the poverty line from 20.3 percent to 12 percent and lowering the consumer inflation rate from 7.7 percent to 5 percent. It includes goals to increase the human development index from 0.601 to 0.65, and the human poverty index from 76.3 percent to 78 percent. Furthermore, the plan aims to reduce the economic and environmental risk index from 29.7 to 24, and to increase life expectancy from 71.3 years to 73 years. The literacy rate is targeted to rise from 76.2 percent to 85 percent.