KATHMANDU, June 1: A total of Rs 923.47 billion in loans has been disbursed through cooperatives across the country, according to newly released data by the Ministry of Finance.
The Economic Survey 2025/26, published by the Ministry of Finance, reveals a significant flow of credit from the cooperative sector.
As per the survey, cooperatives have mobilized savings worth Rs 1,125.28 billion, out of which Rs 923.47 billion has been issued as loans.
Loan disbursement of banks rises while deposits fall
The Economic Survey also shows a decline in the number of people employed in the cooperative sector. As of mid-July 2024, a total of 94,002 individuals were directly employed in cooperatives, which dropped to 90,265 by mid-March, 2025.
As of mid-July 2024, 17,696 cooperative organizations were affiliated with the Cooperative and Poverty-related Management Information System, while as of mid-March 2025, this number has reached 18,899.
According to the Economic Survey, billions of rupees in public savings are still yet to be recovered. Out of the 22 cooperatives declared problematic, only 3 have completed the settlement of their accounts, while 19 cooperatives still have pending asset management and liability payments.
So far, out of a total of 62,710 claimants, the full savings of 7,155 members have been returned, and partial savings have been returned to around 1,000 members. The remaining members have not yet received their savings.
According to the Economic Survey, affected depositors have claimed a total of Rs 39.93 billion. Of this, as of mid-March in the current Fiscal Year (FY), a total of Rs 1.67 billion—including Rs 841.9 million during the current FY—has been returned to the affected depositors.
As of mid-March 2024, the number of cooperative institutions in Nepal has reached 32,965. During this period, the number of share members stood at 19.5 million, with total share capital amounting to Rs 143 billion.
To address existing issues in the cooperative sector—particularly in savings and credit operations—the Cooperative Act, 2074 has been amended to establish the National Cooperative Regulatory Authority (NCRA). However, the NCRA has yet to appoint its leadership and officials, which has hindered its ability to function effectively.
To address the issues in the cooperative sector, a probe committee was formed on May 28, 2024, to investigate the misuse of savings in cooperative institutions. It has been over a year since the committee submitted its report.
