Nepal

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
During the late 18th and 19th centuries, the principality of Gorkha united many 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. In 1990, a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy was established.

Geography

Area
total : 147,181 sq km
land: 143,351 sq km
water: 3,830 sq km

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

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

People and Society

Population
total: 31,122,387 (2024 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.)

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.)

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

Population growth rate
0.7% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
federal parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Kathmandu

Executive branch
chief of state: President Ram Chandra POUDEL (since 13 March 2023)
head of government: Prime Minister Sushila KARKI; note - KARKI was sworn in as interim prime minister on 12 September 2025 after Khadga Prasad Sharma OLI resigned on 9 September following violent protests; KARKI will serve until elections are held in March 2026

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Lok Darshan REGMI (since 11 June 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Dean R. THOMPSON (since October 2022)

Economy

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$149.643 billion (2024 est.)
$144.352 billion (2023 est.)
$141.546 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$5,000 (2024 est.)
$4,900 (2023 est.)
$4,800 (2022 est.)

Exports
$3.744 billion (2024 est.)
$2.258 billion (2023 est.)
$2.106 billion (2022 est.)

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

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

Imports
$17.777 billion (2024 est.)
$13.877 billion (2023 est.)
$15.227 billion (2022 est.)

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

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

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.622, ranking it 145th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 98th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 5.166. (more information)