Nepal - NP - NPL - NEP - South Asia

Last updated: March 19, 2025
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Nepal Images

  • Red pandas live solitary lives, except for breeding season, in the rainy mountain forests of Nepal, India, Bhutan, northern Burma, and central China. Despite sharing a common name and a love of bamboo, red pandas and giant pandas are not closely related. The name “panda” is believed to come from the Nepali word “ponya,” meaning “bamboo eater.” (Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo.)

    Red pandas live solitary lives, except for breeding season, in the rainy mountain forests of Nepal, India, Bhutan, northern Burma, and central China. Despite sharing a common name and a love of bamboo, red pandas and giant pandas are not closely related. The name “panda” is believed to come from the Nepali word “ponya,” meaning “bamboo eater.” (Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo.)

  • Aerial view of some of the Himalayas in Nepal, with Mount Everest in the distance.

    Aerial view of some of the Himalayas in Nepal, with Mount Everest in the distance.

  • Aerial view of Himalayan valley in Nepal.

    Aerial view of Himalayan valley in Nepal.

  • A view of temples in the area of Durbar Square in the historic center of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. This photograph was taken before the devastating earthquake of 2015, when many of these buildings were severely damaged or destroyed.

    A view of temples in the area of Durbar Square in the historic center of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. This photograph was taken before the devastating earthquake of 2015, when many of these buildings were severely damaged or destroyed.

  • A building and statue in Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal.

    A building and statue in Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal.

  • A shrine to Shiva and Parvati in Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal.

    A shrine to Shiva and Parvati in Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal.

  • Boudha is a stupa (dome-shaped Buddhist shrine) in Kathmandu, Nepal. Its massive mandala symbolizes the Buddhist cosmos.

    Boudha is a stupa (dome-shaped Buddhist shrine) in Kathmandu, Nepal. Its massive mandala symbolizes the Buddhist cosmos.

  • A mask shop in Kathmandu, Nepal.

    A mask shop in Kathmandu, Nepal.

  • Mountainside village terracing in Nepal, with the Himalayas in the background.

    Mountainside village terracing in Nepal, with the Himalayas in the background.

  • Aerial view of Mount Everest on a clear day. The mountain falls on the Nepal-China border and is shared by both countries.

    Aerial view of Mount Everest on a clear day. The mountain falls on the Nepal-China border and is shared by both countries.

  • The Bengal tiger is native to the Indian subcontinent and is one of the biggest wild cats, Nepal hosts a tiger conservation program.

    The Bengal tiger is native to the Indian subcontinent and is one of the biggest wild cats, Nepal hosts a tiger conservation program.

  • A view of a Nepali village in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). Established in 1992, it has an area of 7,629 sq km (2,946 sq mi) and contains the world’s deepest river gorge, Gandaki Gorge, as well as one of the world’s largest rhododendron forests and the world’s highest-altitude freshwater lake.

    A view of a Nepali village in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). Established in 1992, it has an area of 7,629 sq km (2,946 sq mi) and contains the world’s deepest river gorge, Gandaki Gorge, as well as one of the world’s largest rhododendron forests and the world’s highest-altitude freshwater lake.

  • Tibetan prayer flags (shown here in Nepal) are colorful rectangular cloths, often found strung along streets and trails in the Himalayan mountains and its surroundings.

    Tibetan prayer flags (shown here in Nepal) are colorful rectangular cloths, often found strung along streets and trails in the Himalayan mountains and its surroundings.

  • The Himalayas (pictured) are a mountain range in South and East Asia that separates the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has many of the world's highest peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest, at the border between Nepal and China.

    The Himalayas (pictured) are a mountain range in South and East Asia that separates the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has many of the world's highest peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest, at the border between Nepal and China.

  • One of the many Indian rhinoceros found at the Chitwan National Park (CNP) in Kasara, Chitwan, which was Nepal's first national park. Established in 1973 and granted World Heritage Site status in 1984, the park lies in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal and covers an area of 953 sq km (368 sq mi).

    One of the many Indian rhinoceros found at the Chitwan National Park (CNP) in Kasara, Chitwan, which was Nepal's first national park. Established in 1973 and granted World Heritage Site status in 1984, the park lies in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal and covers an area of 953 sq km (368 sq mi).

  • Tal Bahari Temple is located on a small island in the southeast section of Phewa Lake, Nepal’s second largest. The two-storied pagoda-style temple, built in 1416, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess Durga (Barahi), the protector of the gods from demons.

    Tal Bahari Temple is located on a small island in the southeast section of Phewa Lake, Nepal’s second largest. The two-storied pagoda-style temple, built in 1416, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess Durga (Barahi), the protector of the gods from demons.

  • The south face of the Annapurna Massif in the Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal. The highest peak of the massif, Annapurna I Main, is the tenth highest mountain in the world at 8,091 m (26,545 ft) above sea level.

    The south face of the Annapurna Massif in the Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal. The highest peak of the massif, Annapurna I Main, is the tenth highest mountain in the world at 8,091 m (26,545 ft) above sea level.

  • Another view of the peak of Annapurna South in the Annapurna Conservation Area.

    Another view of the peak of Annapurna South in the Annapurna Conservation Area.

  • Namche Bazaar, often called a gateway to Everest, is one of the most renowned and popular sherpa towns in the Everest region of Nepal. Built in a semi-circle along multi-leveled terraces, the town is home to Sagarmatha National Park Museum, the Sherpa Museum, luxury hotels, stores, restaurants, and trekking gear shops.

    Namche Bazaar, often called a gateway to Everest, is one of the most renowned and popular sherpa towns in the Everest region of Nepal. Built in a semi-circle along multi-leveled terraces, the town is home to Sagarmatha National Park Museum, the Sherpa Museum, luxury hotels, stores, restaurants, and trekking gear shops.

  • A view of Mount Thamserku in Nepal, located in the Himalayas east of Namche Bazaar.

    A view of Mount Thamserku in Nepal, located in the Himalayas east of Namche Bazaar.

  • Mt. Everest (in the middle), behind the two peaks of Mt. Nuptse as seen from Kala Pathar in Nepal's Sagarmatha National Park. The glacier in front of the two peaks of Mt. Nuptse is the Khumbu Glacier. The mountain to the far left is Mt. Changtse in Tibet. In front of Mt. Changtse is the Khumbu Icefall.

    Mt. Everest (in the middle), behind the two peaks of Mt. Nuptse as seen from Kala Pathar in Nepal's Sagarmatha National Park. The glacier in front of the two peaks of Mt. Nuptse is the Khumbu Glacier. The mountain to the far left is Mt. Changtse in Tibet. In front of Mt. Changtse is the Khumbu Icefall.

  • The clouded leopard is native to Southeast Asia, with one of the largest populations found in Nepal's Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. These shy, nocturnal animals spend most of their time in trees. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

    The clouded leopard is native to Southeast Asia, with one of the largest populations found in Nepal's Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. These shy, nocturnal animals spend most of their time in trees. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

  • Red pandas live solitary lives, except for breeding season, in the rainy mountain forests of Nepal, India, Bhutan, northern Burma, and central China. Despite sharing a common name and a love of bamboo, red pandas and giant pandas are not closely related. The name “panda” is believed to come from the Nepali word “ponya,” meaning “bamboo eater.” (Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo.)

    Red pandas live solitary lives, except for breeding season, in the rainy mountain forests of Nepal, India, Bhutan, northern Burma, and central China. Despite sharing a common name and a love of bamboo, red pandas and giant pandas are not closely related. The name “panda” is believed to come from the Nepali word “ponya,” meaning “bamboo eater.” (Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo.)

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  • An aerial view of the Himalayas with windswept Mount Everest in the center. The mountain is located on the Nepal-China border and is shared by both countries. Mount Everest is the highest point on earth above sea level at 8,849 m (29,025 ft). The mountain was named after Sir George Everest, a British surveyor and geographer who served as the Surveyor General of India from 1830-1843.
  • Aerial view of some of the Himalayas in Nepal, with Mount Everest in the distance.
  • Aerial view of Himalayan valley in Nepal.
  • A view of temples in the area of Durbar Square in the historic center of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. This photograph was taken before the devastating earthquake of 2015, when many of these buildings were severely damaged or destroyed.
  • A building and statue in Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • A shrine to Shiva and Parvati in Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • Boudha is a stupa (dome-shaped Buddhist shrine) in Kathmandu, Nepal. Its massive mandala symbolizes the Buddhist cosmos.
  • A mask shop in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • Mountainside village terracing in Nepal, with the Himalayas in the background.
  • Aerial view of Mount Everest on a clear day. The mountain falls on the Nepal-China border and is shared by both countries.
  • The Bengal tiger is native to the Indian subcontinent and is one of the biggest wild cats, Nepal hosts a tiger conservation program.
  • A view of a Nepali village in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). Established in 1992, it has an area of 7,629 sq km (2,946 sq mi) and contains the world’s deepest river gorge, Gandaki Gorge, as well as one of the world’s largest rhododendron forests and the world’s highest-altitude freshwater lake.
  • Tibetan prayer flags (shown here in Nepal) are colorful rectangular cloths, often found strung along streets and trails in the Himalayan mountains and its surroundings.
  • The Himalayas (pictured) are a mountain range in South and East Asia that separates the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has many of the world's highest peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest, at the border between Nepal and China.
  • One of the many Indian rhinoceros found at the Chitwan National Park (CNP) in Kasara, Chitwan, which was Nepal's first national park. Established in 1973 and granted World Heritage Site status in 1984, the park lies in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal and covers an area of 953 sq km (368 sq mi).
  • Tal Bahari Temple is located on a small island in the southeast section of Phewa Lake, Nepal’s second largest. The two-storied pagoda-style temple, built in 1416, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess Durga (Barahi), the protector of the gods from demons.
  • The south face of the Annapurna Massif in the Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal. The highest peak of the massif, Annapurna I Main, is the tenth highest mountain in the world at 8,091 m (26,545 ft) above sea level.
  • Another view of the peak of Annapurna South in the Annapurna Conservation Area.
  • Namche Bazaar, often called a gateway to Everest, is one of the most renowned and popular sherpa towns in the Everest region of Nepal. Built in a semi-circle along multi-leveled terraces, the town is home to Sagarmatha National Park Museum, the Sherpa Museum, luxury hotels, stores, restaurants, and trekking gear shops.
  • A view of Mount Thamserku in Nepal, located in the Himalayas east of Namche Bazaar.
  • Mt. Everest (in the middle), behind the two peaks of Mt. Nuptse as seen from Kala Pathar in Nepal's Sagarmatha National Park. The glacier in front of the two peaks of Mt. Nuptse is the Khumbu Glacier. The mountain to the far left is Mt. Changtse in Tibet. In front of Mt. Changtse is the Khumbu Icefall.
  • The clouded leopard is native to Southeast Asia, with one of the largest populations found in Nepal's Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. These shy, nocturnal animals spend most of their time in trees. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
  • Red pandas live solitary lives, except for breeding season, in the rainy mountain forests of Nepal, India, Bhutan, northern Burma, and central China. Despite sharing a common name and a love of bamboo, red pandas and giant pandas are not closely related. The name “panda” is believed to come from the Nepali word “ponya,” meaning “bamboo eater.” (Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo.)

Nepal Factbook Data

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Dean R. THOMPSON (since October 2022)

embassy: Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

mailing address: 6190 Kathmandu Place, Washington DC  20521-6190

telephone: [977] (1) 423-4000

FAX: [977] (1) 400-7272

email address and website:
usembktm@state.gov

https://np.usembassy.gov/

Age structure

0-14 years: 25.8% (male 4,125,244/female 3,909,135)

15-64 years: 67.8% (male 10,153,682/female 10,957,011)

65 years and over: 6.4% (2024 est.) (male 961,717/female 1,015,598)
2023 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for Nepal. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

28 00 N, 84 00 E

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Natural hazards

severe thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; drought and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons

Area - comparative

slightly larger than New York state
Area comparison map

slightly larger than New York state

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2023)

note: as of 2023, about 7,000 women served in the Nepalese Armed Forces

Background

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the principality of Gorkha united many of the other principalities and states of the sub-Himalayan region into a Nepali Kingdom. Nepal retained its independence after the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16, and the subsequent peace treaty laid the foundations for two centuries of amicable relations between Britain and Nepal. (The Brigade of Gurkhas continues to serve in the British Army to the present day.) In 1951, the Nepali monarch ended the century-old system of hereditary rule and instituted a cabinet system that brought political parties into the government. That arrangement lasted until 1960, when political parties were again banned, but it was reinstated in 1990 with the establishment of a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy.

A Maoist-led insurgency broke out in 1996. During the ensuing 10-year civil war between Maoist and government forces, the monarchy dissolved the cabinet and parliament. In 2001, Crown Prince DIPENDRA first massacred the royal family and then shot himself. His brother GYANENDRA became king, and the monarchy reassumed absolute power the next year. A peace accord in 2006 led to the promulgation of an interim constitution in 2007. After a nationwide Constituent Assembly (CA) election in 2008, the newly formed CA declared Nepal a federal democratic republic, abolished the monarchy, and elected the country's first president.

When the CA failed to draft a Supreme Court-mandated constitution, then-Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI dissolved the CA. An interim government held elections in 2013, in which the Nepali Congress (NC) won the largest share of seats. In 2014, NC formed a coalition government with the second-place Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML). Nepal's new constitution came into effect in 2015, at which point the CA became the Parliament and Khagda Prasad Sharma OLI the first post-constitution prime minister (2015-16). He resigned ahead of a no-confidence motion, and Parliament elected Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) leader Pushpa Kamal DAHAL as prime minister.

The parties headed by OLI and DAHAL ran in coalition and swept the parliamentary elections in 2017, and OLI was sworn in as prime minister in 2018. OLI's efforts to dissolve parliament and hold elections were declared unconstitutional in 2021, and the opposition-supported NC leader Sher Bahadur DEUBA was named prime minister. The NC won a majority of seats in the parliamentary elections in 2022, but DAHAL then broke with the ruling coalition and partnered with OLI and the CPN-UML to become prime minister. DAHAL's first cabinet lasted about two months, until OLI withdrew his support over disagreements about ministerial assignments. In early 2023, DAHAL survived a vote of confidence and formed a coalition with the NC to remain prime minister.

Environment - current issues

deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); forest degradation; soil erosion; contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); unmanaged solid-waste; wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Marine Life Conservation

Population below poverty line

20.3% (2022 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.7% (2022 est.)

highest 10%: 24.2% (2022 est.)

Exports - commodities

knotted carpets, garments, flat-rolled iron, synthetic fibers, palm oil (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

India 67%, USA 12%, Germany 3%, China 2%, UK 2% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Administrative divisions

7 provinces (pradesh, singular - pradesh); Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Koshi, Lumbini, Madhesh, Sudurpashchim

Agricultural products

rice, vegetables, potatoes, sugarcane, maize, wheat, bison milk, milk, mangoes/guavas, bananas (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Military and security forces

Nepalese Armed Forces (Ministry of Defense): Nepali Army (includes Air Wing)

Ministry of Home Affairs: Nepal Police, Nepal Armed Police Force (2024)

note: the Nepal Police are responsible for enforcing law and order across the country; the Armed Police Force is responsible for combating terrorism, providing security during riots and public disturbances, assisting in natural disasters, and protecting vital infrastructure, public officials, and the borders; it also conducts counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations and would assist the Army in the event of an external invasion

Budget

revenues: $7.625 billion (2021 est.)

expenditures: $7.163 billion (2021 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Capital

name: Kathmandu

geographic coordinates: 27 43 N, 85 19 E

time difference: UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: name derives from the Kasthamandap temple that stood in Durbar Square; in Sanskrit, kastha means "wood" and mandapa means "pavilion"; the three-story structure was made entirely of wood, without iron nails or supports, and dated to the late 16th century; it collapsed during a 2015 earthquake

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, natural gas, garments, iron reductions, broadcasting equipment (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Climate

varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Constitution

history: several previous; latest approved by the Second Constituent Assembly 16 September 2015, signed by the president and effective 20 September 2015

amendment process: proposed as a bill by either house of the Federal Parliament; bills affecting a state border or powers delegated to a state must be submitted to the affected state assembly; passage of such bills requires a majority vote of that state assembly membership; bills not requiring state assembly consent require at least two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of the Federal Parliament; parts of the constitution on the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty vested in the people cannot be amended

Exchange rates

Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
132.115 (2023 est.)
125.199 (2022 est.)
118.134 (2021 est.)
118.345 (2020 est.)
112.609 (2019 est.)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Ram Chandra POUDEL (since 13 March 2023)

head of government: Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma OLI (since 15 July 2024)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister; cabinet split between Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre, and various coalition partners

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by an electoral college of the Federal Parliament and of the state assemblies for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 March 2023 (next to be held in 2028)

election results:
2023: Ram Chandra POUDEL elected president; electoral college vote - Ram Chandra POUDEL (NC) 33,802, Subash Chandra NEMBANG (CPN-UML) 15,518

2018: Bidhya Devi BHANDARI reelected president; electoral vote - Bidhya Devi BHANDARI (CPN-UML) 39,275, Kumari Laxmi RAI (NC) 11,730 

Flag description

crimson red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle displays a white 12-pointed sun; the color red represents the rhododendron (Nepal's national flower) and is a sign of victory and bravery, the blue border signifies peace and harmony; the two right triangles are a combination of two single pennons (pennants) that originally symbolized the Himalaya Mountains while their charges represented the families of the king (upper) and the prime minister, but today they are understood to denote Hinduism and Buddhism, the country's two main religions; the moon represents the serenity of the Nepalese people and the shade and cool weather in the Himalayas, while the sun depicts the heat and higher temperatures of the lower parts of Nepal; the moon and the sun are also said to express the hope that the nation will endure as long as these heavenly bodies

note: Nepal is the only country in the world whose flag is not rectangular or square

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West; destination country for Indian-produced heroin smuggled in for domestic consumption

Independence

1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)

Industries

tourism, carpets, textiles, small rice, jute, sugar, oilseed mills, cigarettes, cement and brick production

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and up to 20 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, a 5-member, high-level advisory body headed by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Council, a 5-member advisory body headed by the chief justice; the chief justice serves a 6-year term; judges serve until age 65

subordinate courts: High Court; district courts

Land boundaries

total: 3,159 km

border countries (2): China 1,389 km; India 1,770 km

Land use

agricultural land: 26.1% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: arable land: 12.6% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops: 1% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture: 12.5% (2022 est.)

forest: 41.6% (2022 est.)

other: 32.3% (2022 est.)

Legal system

English common law and Hindu legal concepts; note - new criminal and civil codes came into effect on 17 August 2018

Legislative branch

legislature name: Federal Parliament (Sanghiya Sansad)

legislative structure: bicameral

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 71.2%

male: 81%

female: 63.3% (2021)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

International organization participation

ADB, BIMSTEC, CD, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNSOM, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

National holiday

Constitution Day, 20 September (2015); note - marks the promulgation of Nepal’s constitution in 2015 and replaces the previous 28 May Republic Day as the official national day in Nepal; the Gregorian day fluctuates based on Nepal’s Hindu calendar

Nationality

noun: Nepali (singular and plural)

adjective: Nepali

Natural resources

quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Geography - note

landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga -- the world's tallest and third tallest mountains -- on the borders with China and India respectively

Economic overview

low-income South Asian economy; post-conflict fiscal federalism increasing stability; COVID-19 hurt trade and tourism; widening current account deficits; environmentally fragile economy from earthquakes; growing Chinese relations and investments

Political parties

Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) or CPN-MC
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) or CPN-UML
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) or CPN-US
Janamat Party
Janata Samajbaadi Party or JSP
Loktantrik Samajwadi Party or LSP
Naya Shakti Party, Nepal
Nepali Congress or NC
Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party (Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party) or NWPP
Rastriya Janamorcha (National People's Front)
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (National Democratic Party) or RPP
Rastriya Swatantra Party or RSP

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: in relation to its telecom sector, Nepal has several topographical and economic constraints which have impeded efforts to expand network infrastructure and improve the quality of service for end-users; the fixed line market remains underdeveloped, and as a result most traffic is channeled via mobile networks; fixed broadband penetration remains very low, though to address this the government has initiated several programs as part of the Digital Nepal Framework and the wider Optical Fiber Backbone Network Expansion Project, started in 2012; supported by the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund, the programs include building out fiber backbone infrastructure and using this to provide broadband to schools and community centers nationally; telcos have also invested in fiber networks, and competition in the market is intensifying; cheap fiber-based services launched in mid-2021 prompted responses from other ISPs to provide faster and more competitively priced offers; Nepal’s mobile market is relatively developed, with a focus on LTE; in 2021, the regulator considered a range of spectrum bands which could be used for 5G (2021)

domestic: fixed-line is 2 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular nearly 130 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 977; Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)

Terrain

Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south; central hill region with rugged Himalayas in north

Government type

federal parliamentary republic

Country name

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Nepal

local long form: none

local short form: Nepal

etymology: the Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas apparently gave their name to the country; the terms "Nepal," "Newar," "Nepar," and "Newal" are phonetically different forms of the same word

Location

Southern Asia, between China and India

Map references

Asia

Irrigated land

12,090 sq km (2022)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Sharad Raj ARAN (since 13 November 2024)

chancery: 2730 34th Place NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550

FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534

email address and website:
info@nepalembassyusa.org

https://us.nepalembassy.gov.np/

consulate(s) general: New York

Internet users

percent of population: 50% (2022 est.)

Internet country code

.np

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 12,540 (Tibet/China), 6,365 (Bhutan) (mid-year 2022)

stateless persons: undetermined (mid-year 2021)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$40.908 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Total renewable water resources

210.2 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years

male: 13 years

female: 13 years (2020)

Urbanization

urban population: 21.9% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Broadcast media

state operates 3 TV stations, as well as national and regional radio stations; 117 television channels are licensed, among those 71 are cable television channels, three are distributed through Direct-To-Home (DTH) system, and four are digital terrestrial; 736 FM radio stations are licensed and at least 314 of those radio stations are community radio stations (2019)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 92.7% of population

rural: 94.4% of population

total: 94.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 7.3% of population

rural: 5.6% of population

total: 5.9% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" (Hundreds of Flowers)

lyrics/music: Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG

note: adopted 2007; after the abolition of the monarchy in 2006, a new anthem was required because of the previous anthem's praise for the king
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Nepal. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

Major urban areas - population

1.571 million KATHMANDU (capital) (2023)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Physician density

0.85 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Hospital bed density

0.3 beds/1,000 population (2012)

National symbol(s)

rhododendron blossom; national color: red

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.4 years (2016 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Contraceptive prevalence rate

46.7% (2019)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 85.9% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 6.6% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 25.1% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 6.6% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 7% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -34.7% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 54.9

youth dependency ratio: 45.5

elderly dependency ratio: 9.4

potential support ratio: 10.7 (2021 est.)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years

Population distribution

most of the population is divided nearly equally between a concentration in the southern-most plains of the Tarai region and the central hilly region; overall density is quite low

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 91.3% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas: 97.7%

electrification - rural areas: 93.7%

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 39

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 3,296,953 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4.66 million (2018) mt-km

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9N

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 95.1% of population

rural: 85.7% of population

total: 87.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 4.9% of population

rural: 14.3% of population

total: 12.3% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Chhettri 16.5%, Brahman-Hill 11.3%, Magar 6.9%, Tharu 6.2%, Tamang 5.6%, Bishwokarma 5%, Musalman 4.9%, Newar 4.6%, Yadav 4.2%, Rai 2.2%, Pariyar 1.9%, Gurung 1.9%, Thakuri 1.7%, Mijar 1.6%, Teli 1.5%, Yakthung/Limbu 1.4%, Chamar/Harijan/Ram 1.4%, Koiri/Kushwaha 1.2%, other 20% (2021 est.)

note: 141 caste/ethnic groups were reported in the 2021 national census

Religions

Hindu 81.2%, Buddhist 8.2%, Muslim 5.1%, Kirat 3.2%, Christian 1.8%, other 0.5% (2021 est.)

Languages

Nepali (official) 44.9%, Maithali 11.1%, Bhojpuri 6.2%, Tharu 5.9%, Tamang 4.9%, Bajjika 3.9%, Avadhi 3%, Nepalbhasha (Newari) 3%, Magar Dhut 2.8%, Doteli 1.7%, Urdu 1.4%, Yakthung/Limbu 1.2%, Gurung 1.1%, other 8.9% (2021 est.)

major-language sample(s):
विश्व तथ्य पुस्तक,आधारभूत जानकारीको लागि अपरिहार्य स्रोत (Nepali)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

note: 123 languages reported as mother tongue in 2021 national census; many in government and business also speak English
Nepali audio sample

Imports - partners

India 71%, China 17%, UAE 3%, Singapore 2%, Germany 1% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Elevation

highest point: Mount Everest (highest peak in Asia and highest point on earth above sea level) 8,849 m

lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m

mean elevation: 2,565 m

Current health expenditure

5.4% of GDP (2021)

Military - note

the Nepali Army is a lightly equipped force responsible for territorial defense, although it has some domestic duties such as disaster relief/humanitarian assistance and nature conservation efforts; during the 10-year civil war that ended in 2006, it conducted extensive counterinsurgency operations against Maoist guerrillas; the Army also has a long and distinguished history of supporting UN missions, having sent its first UN observers to Lebanon in 1958 and its first troop contingent to Egypt in 1974; as of 2024, about 150,000 Nepali military personnel had deployed on over 40 UN missions; the Army conducts training with foreign partners, including China, India, and the US

the British began to recruit Nepalese citizens (Gurkhas) into the East India Company Army during the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816); the Gurkhas subsequently were brought into the British Indian Army and by 1914, there were 10 Gurkha regiments, collectively known as the Gurkha Brigade; following the partition of India in 1947, an agreement between Nepal, India, and Great Britain allowed for the transfer of the 10 regiments from the British Indian Army to the separate British and Indian armies; four regiments were transferred to the British Army, where they have since served continuously as the Brigade of Gurkhas; six Gurkha (aka Gorkha in India) regiments went to the new Indian Army; a seventh regiment was later added; Gurkhas are also recruited into the Singaporean Police and a special guard in the Sultanate of Brunei known as the Gurkha Reserve Unit (2024)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 95,000 active troops (including a small air wing of about 500 personnel) (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Army's inventory includes a mix of mostly older equipment largely of British, Chinese, Indian, Russian, and South African origin; in recent years, Nepal has received limited amounts of newer hardware from several countries, including China, Indonesia, Italy, and Russia (2023)

Military deployments

1240 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,150 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 400 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 875 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 225 Liberia (UNSMIL); 100 South Sudan/Sudan (UNISFA); 1,725 (plus about 220 police) South Sudan (UNMISS); note - Nepal has over 6,000 total personnel deployed on 15 UN missions (2024)

Terrorist group(s)

Terrorist group(s): Indian Mujahedeen

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 150 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 30 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 9.32 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,768,977 tons (2016 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 36.43 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 9.11 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 41.15 megatons (2020 est.)

Trafficking in persons

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Nepal was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/nepal/

Major aquifers

Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km)

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 4 (2 cultural, 2 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Kathmandu Valley (c); Sagarmatha National Park (n); Chitwan National Park (n); Lumbini, Buddha Birthplace (c)

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 7.9%

women married by age 18: 32.8%

men married by age 18: 9% (2019 est.)

Heliports

14 (2024)

Coal

production: 15,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

consumption: 1.095 million metric tons (2022 est.)

imports: 1.015 million metric tons (2022 est.)

proven reserves: 8 million metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

solar: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

hydroelectricity: 98.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 62,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.9 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

74.6% (2023 est.)

Remittances

26.31% of GDP (2023 est.)
22.85% of GDP (2022 est.)
22.28% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name: House of Representatives (Pratinidhi Sabha)

number of seats: 275 (all directly elected)

electoral system: mixed system

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 11/19/2013

parties elected and seats per party: Nepali Congress (NC) (89); Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist, UML) (78); Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-MC) (32); Rastriya Swatantra Party (20); Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPP) (14); People's Socialist Party, Nepal (12); Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) (10); Janamat Party (6); Democratic Socialist Party, Nepal (4); People's Freedom Party (3); Nepal Workers Peasants Party (1); Rastriya Janamorcha (1); Independents (5)

percentage of women in chamber: 33.5%

expected date of next election: November 2027

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name: National Assembly (Rastriya Sabha)

number of seats: 59 (56 indirectly elected; 3 appointed)

scope of elections: partial renewal

term in office: 6 years

most recent election date: 1/25/2024

percentage of women in chamber: 37.3%

expected date of next election: January 2026

Labor force

8.569 million (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 20.4% (2023 est.)

male: 18.7% (2023 est.)

female: 23.3% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Net migration rate

-4.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 27.6 years (2024 est.)

male: 26.5 years

female: 28.6 years

Debt - external

$6.489 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Maternal mortality ratio

174 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$12.456 billion (2023 est.)
$9.319 billion (2022 est.)
$9.639 billion (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Public debt

39.92% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Total fertility rate

1.85 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

Unemployment rate

10.69% (2023 est.)
10.92% (2022 est.)
12.32% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population

total: 31,122,387

male: 15,240,643

female: 15,881,744 (2024 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

10.515 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 2.179 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 8.336 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Area

total : 147,181 sq km

land: 143,351 sq km

water: 3,830 sq km

Taxes and other revenues

17.49% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$144.31 billion (2023 est.)
$141.546 billion (2022 est.)
$134 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Roadways

total: 64,500 km (2020)

Airports

51 (2024)

Infant mortality rate

total: 24 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 25.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 38.2 million (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 127 (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

30 (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.11% (2023 est.)
7.65% (2022 est.)
4.15% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Current account balance

$998.628 million (2023 est.)
-$2.372 billion (2022 est.)
-$5.363 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$4,900 (2023 est.)
$4,800 (2022 est.)
$4,500 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 1.44 million (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 30.4% (2020 est.)

male: 47.9% (2020 est.)

female: 12.8% (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.1% (2016)

Energy consumption per capita

5.881 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

Death rate

5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Birth rate

17 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 2.389 million kW (2022 est.)

consumption: 9.327 billion kWh (2022 est.)

exports: 347.784 million kWh (2022 est.)

imports: 1.601 billion kWh (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 1.738 billion kWh (2022 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

18.7% (2022)

Imports

$14.104 billion (2023 est.)
$15.463 billion (2022 est.)
$16.993 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$3.02 billion (2023 est.)
$2.755 billion (2022 est.)
$2.52 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 726,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.13 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 73 years (2024 est.)

male: 72.2 years

female: 73.7 years

Real GDP growth rate

1.95% (2023 est.)
5.63% (2022 est.)
4.84% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

1.38% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Railways

total: 59 km (2018)

narrow gauge: 59 km (2018) 0.762-m gauge

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 21.2% (2023 est.)

industry: 12.1% (2023 est.)

services: 55.4% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Revenue from forest resources

0.45% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

4.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Population growth rate

0.7% (2024 est.)
Sources: