Kathmandu, Aug. 9 -- 25, a total of 20,900 women gave birth at Thapathali-based Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital. The figure was 22,379 in the previous fiscal year, and over 24,000 in fiscal year 2021-22.

Similarly, Patan Hospital recorded 4,746 births in the last fiscal year, down from 5,223 in the fiscal year 2023-24, and 6,253 in 2022-23. Data from birthing centres run by Patan Hospital also show a sharp decline in birth rates-from 155 three years ago to 92 in the fiscal year 2023-024, and 53 in the last fiscal year.

Health ministry's data show a sharp nationwide drop in institutional deliveries-from 80 percent to 74 percent in just one year-which experts say could signal changing fertility patterns and pose challenges for Ne...