Statistics: Nepal is the third poorest nation of the world. More than 60 percent of the population are below the poverty level, causing nutritional and health problems. 89% of the population draw drinking water from wells, springs, and streams with no sanitary safeguards. National literacy is estimated at 37%. Subsistence framing is the source of food and shelter for 90% of all Nepalese. Child mortality is among the highest in the world at 146 deaths per each 1,000 births. Average life expectancy is 53 years.