Nepali society witnesses increasing transition from joint families to nuclear families

KATHMANDU, May 14: The relevance of a Nepali proverb, 'If you want to eat thick lentils, you have to distance yourself from your family and start a nuclear family,' is becoming increasingly apparent in Nepali society.

The increasing prevalence of nuclear families in Nepal reflects this trend, indicating a rise in the pursuit of prosperity symbolized by the metaphorical consumption of 'thick lentils’.

Traditionally, Nepal has upheld a joint family culture, but societal changes, including fertility transitions and economic shifts, are driving the preference toward nuclear households. 

According to the National Census 2021, Nepal comprises 60.1 percent nuclear and 39.9 percent joint families. The census report indicates a total of 66,60,841 families in Nepal, with 40,01,051 being nuclear families. This breaks down to 1,34,73,267 individuals living in nuclear family setups. The overall population of Nepal stands at 2,91,64,578.

According to the geographical distribution, there is a higher preference for nuclear families living in the hill areas. On the contrary, in Madhesh-Terai, there are still more people who prefer to live in joint families. In the hills, 51.3 percent of the population resides in nuclear families, whereas in Terai, the proportion of nuclear families stands at 43 percent.

In Bagmati Province, 64.9 percent of families are nuclear families, while 35.1 percent are joint families. In Madhesh Province, 54.6 percent of families are nuclear families, and 45.4 percent are joint families.

According to the director of the National Statistics Office (NSO), Dhundiraj Lamichhane, the number of people preferring to live in a nuclear family has increased over the past decade. The increase in nuclear family households indicates that the population growth rate is likely to decrease in future as the fertility rate declines. It seems that the inclination towards joint family is also expected to decline over time.

As the proverbial shift towards nuclear-family households continues, our society may face increasing isolation in the future. Madhesh Province still maintains a higher prevalence of joint families compared to other regions. 

“This reflects Madhesh Province's emergence as a place for disciplined and culturally rich family structures,” said Director Lamichhane,  adding, “During data collection, observations revealed an increase in cultural values and discipline among families in Madhesh.” 

Lamichhane also said that children in Madhesh Province receive good care at home. The reason for this is the enduring tradition of joint families living in the region.

Upon analyzing the data, he said, "There appears to be an increasing trend for spouses and children to live apart even over minor disputes." This shift suggests a decline in respect towards grandparents and elders. According to Director Lamichhane, children experience all-round development in joint family setups. Exposure to diverse family members, including grandparents, cousins, uncles, and aunts, help them learn manners and discipline, contributing to holistic development.

"In the coming days, we may reach a point where children might become unfamiliar with terms like grandma, grandpa, uncle, and aunt," Director Lamichhane said. He further added, "In single-income households typical of nuclear families, couples tend to have fewer children since there are fewer caregivers available. This trend leads to isolation within society," he stated.

The trend of nuclear-family households is also on the rise in Gandaki Province, where such households make up 63.2 percent. Similarly, in Karnali and Koshi provinces, nuclear-family households comprise 61 percent each.

According to Yogendra Bahadur Gurung, head of the Central Department of Population Studies at Tribhuvan University, the rise in nuclear-family households is due to global economic and social transformations.

According to Gurung's analysis, the increase in the number of nuclear families is also attributed to people's inclination to reside in areas with better opportunities.

"The rise in the number of nuclear families is a sign of progress in the country," he said. "However, Terai still grapples with poor education, health, and economic conditions. The prevalent system of one person being the breadwinner, taking care of five other members hinders development. With the latest census data, the state must devise new policies and programs to address these challenges. Rather than focusing solely on population control, a strategy for population management should be pursued," Gurung further mentioned.