Cohesive information is lacking when it comes to the socioeconomic status of more than 210 million people residing in the greater Himalayan region. The reasons for socioeconomic disparities between mountain and non-mountain areas, as well as within the mountain system, have not yet been fully explored. To address this gap, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has carried out a study in order to identify and understand the specificity of mountain poverty. Empirical findings based on national livelihood survey data show that poverty is higher in mountain areas and has different causes when compared to other geographic areas in the same country.