CapitalKathmandu
Population31,334,402
Area147,181 km²
GDP per capita$5,000
LanguagesNepali, Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Bajjika, Avadhi, Nepalbhasha, Magar Dhut, Doteli, Urdu, Yakthung/Limbu, Gurung, other
CurrencyNepalese rupees
Life Expectancy73.0 yr
Governmenta federal parliamentary republic.
Introduction
Background
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the principality of Gorkha successfully unified numerous other principalities and states within the sub-Himalayan region, establishing a Nepali Kingdom. Following the Anglo-Nepalese War from 1814 to 1816, Nepal maintained its sovereignty, and the resulting peace agreement established the groundwork for two centuries of friendly relations between Britain and Nepal. In 1951, the Nepali monarch abolished the long-standing hereditary rule and introduced a cabinet system that incorporated political parties into the government. This arrangement continued until 1960, when political parties were once again prohibited, but was restored in 1990 with the creation of a multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy.
A Maoist-led rebellion commenced in 1996. Throughout the subsequent decade-long civil conflict involving Maoist and government troops, the monarchy disbanded both the cabinet and the parliament. In 2001, Crown Prince DIPENDRA carried out a massacre of the royal family before turning the gun on himself. His uncle GYANENDRA ascended to the throne, and the monarchy regained absolute authority the following year. A peace agreement in 2006 resulted in the drafting of an interim constitution in 2007. Following a nationwide Constituent Assembly (CA) election in 2008, the newly established CA proclaimed Nepal a federal democratic republic, abolished the monarchy, and elected the nation’s first president.
When the CA failed to produce a constitution mandated by the Supreme Court, then-Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI disbanded the CA. An interim government conducted elections in 2013, where the Nepali Congress (NC) secured the most seats. In 2014, the NC formed a coalition government with the second-placed Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML). Nepal's new constitution was implemented in 2015, at which point the CA transitioned into the Parliament, and Khagda Prasad Sharma OLI became the first prime minister under the new constitution (2015-16). He resigned prior to a no-confidence vote, leading Parliament to elect Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M), as prime minister.
The alliances led by OLI and DAHAL contested the parliamentary elections in 2017, achieving a sweeping victory, and OLI was inaugurated as prime minister in 2018. In 2021, OLI's attempts to dissolve parliament and call for new elections were ruled unconstitutional, resulting in the appointment of opposition-supported NC leader Sher Bahadur DEUBA as prime minister. The NC won a plurality of seats in the 2022 parliamentary elections, but DAHAL subsequently severed ties with the ruling coalition, joining forces with OLI and the CPN-UML to take on the role of prime minister. DAHAL's initial cabinet lasted approximately two months, after which OLI withdrew his backing due to disagreements over ministerial positions. In early 2023, DAHAL withstood a vote of confidence and formed a coalition with the NC to retain his position as prime minister.
Geography
Area
land
143,351 sq km
water
3,830 sq km
total
147,181 sq km
Climate
experiences cool summers and harsh winters in the northern region, transitioning to subtropical summers and mild winters in the southern area
Terrain
Tarai, or the flat river plain of the Ganges, located in the south; the central hilly region characterized by the rugged Himalayas in the north
Land use
other
27.7% (2023 est.)
forest
43.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
26.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 12.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 12.5% (2023 est.)
Location
Southern Asia, situated between China and India
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Kanchan Kalan 70 m
highest point
Mount Everest, the highest peak in Asia and the tallest point on Earth above sea level, at 8,849 meters
mean elevation
2,565 m
Irrigated land
12,090 sq km (2022)
Major aquifers
Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin
Map references
Asia
Land boundaries
total
3,159 km
border countries
China 1,389 km; India 1,770 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
intense thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; droughts and famines may occur depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
Geography - note
landlocked; strategically positioned between China and India; home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga—the tallest and third-tallest mountains in the world—located on the borders with China and India, respectively
Natural resources
quartz, water, timber, hydropower, natural beauty, small quantities of lignite, copper, cobalt, and iron ore
Area - comparative
slightly larger in area than New York State
Geographic coordinates
28 00 N, 84 00 E
Population distribution
the majority of the population is almost evenly split between a concentration in the southern Tarai plains and the central hilly area; the overall population density is low
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)
People & Society
Literacy
male
79.8% (2019 est.)
female
59.4% (2019 est.)
total population
68.7% (2019 est.)
Languages
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.
Religions
Hindu 81.2%, Buddhist 8.2%, Muslim 5.1%, Kirat 3.2%, Christian 1.8%; less than 1%: Prakriti, Bon, Jains, Sikh (2021 estimate)
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
total population
0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.95 male(s)/female
Birth rate
16.66 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.62 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
26.5 years
total
28.1 years (2025 est.)
female
28.6 years
Population
male
15,352,706
total
31,334,402 (2025 est.)
female
15,981,696
Nationality
noun
Nepali (singular and plural)
adjective
Nepali
Tobacco use
male
40.3% (2025 est.)
total
22.9% (2025 est.)
female
7.6% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
21.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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)
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.)
Child marriage
men married by age 18
7% (2022)
women married by age 15
5.8% (2022)
women married by age 18
34.9% (2022)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
46.8 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
37.2 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
10.4 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
9.6 (2025 est.)
Physician density
1.01 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
5.4% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-4.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
0.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.82 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 91.6% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 91.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 90% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 8.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 8.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 10% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
10.8% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
25.2 deaths/1,000 live births
total
23.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
22.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.66% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.88 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
The majority of the population is almost evenly split between a concentration in the southern plains of the Tarai region and the central hilly area; the overall population density remains low.
Life expectancy at birth
male
72.2 years
female
73.7 years
total population
73 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
142 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 89.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 90.7% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 96.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 10.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 9.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 3.9% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.13 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.571 million KATHMANDU (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
4.1% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
20.4 years (2016 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
75.1% (2022 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
18.3% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
14 years (2023 est.)
total
14 years (2023 est.)
female
14 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
ranges from cool summer temperatures and harsh winter conditions in the northern regions to subtropical summer heat and mild winters in the southern regions
Land use
other
27.7% (2023 est.)
forest
43.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
26.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 12.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 12.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
21.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
1.769 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
4.6% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation due to excessive reliance on wood for fuel and insufficient alternatives; degradation of forests; erosion of soil; water contamination from human and animal waste, agricultural runoff, and industrial discharges; unregulated solid waste; preservation of wildlife; air pollution resulting from vehicle emissions
Total water withdrawal
municipal
147.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
29.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
9.32 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
11.357 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
2.025 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
9.332 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
36.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
210.2 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental 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 Treaty, Conservation of Marine Life
Government
Flag
description: the flag features a crimson red background bordered in blue, composed of two overlapping right triangles; the upper triangle is smaller and showcases a stylized white moon, while the larger lower triangle displays a 12-pointed white sun.
meaning: the red color symbolizes the rhododendron (the national flower) along with victory and bravery, whereas the blue border represents peace and harmony; the two triangles are derived from two pennants that originally represented the Himalaya Mountains, but now they signify the two predominant religions in the country, Hinduism and Buddhism; the moon symbolizes the tranquility of the populace and the cool shade of the Himalayas, while the sun represents the warmth and higher temperatures found elsewhere in the nation.
Capital
name
Kathmandu
etymology
the term is derived from the Nepalese words kath (wood) and mandu (temple), which refers to the local temples that are frequently constructed from wood.
time difference
UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
27 43 N, 85 19 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
15 years
Constitution
history
multiple previous constitutions; the most recent was ratified by the Second Constituent Assembly on 16 September 2015, signed by the president, and came into effect on 20 September 2015.
amendment process
a bill can be proposed by either house of the Federal Parliament; any legislation impacting a state border or the powers assigned to a state must be presented to the relevant state assembly; the passage of such bills necessitates a majority vote from the state assembly's membership; bills that do not need state assembly approval require at least a two-thirds majority vote from both houses of the Federal Parliament; sections of the constitution concerning sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and the sovereignty vested in the populace cannot be altered.
Country name
etymology
the name is thought to originate from the Sanskrit word nepala, which combines terms meaning "fly down" and "house," likely referencing the villages located at the foot of the mountains.
local long form
none
local short form
Nepal
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Nepal
Independence
1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)
Legal system
influenced by English common law and principles of Hindu law.
Government type
a federal parliamentary republic.
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and up to 20 judges)
subordinate courts
High Court; district courts
judge selection and term of office
the chief justice of the Supreme Court is appointed by the president based on recommendations from the Constitutional Council, which consists of five members, including the prime minister; additional judges are appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Council, a five-member advisory group led by the chief justice; the chief justice serves a term of six years, while judges remain in office until the age of 65.
Executive branch
cabinet
the Council of Ministers is appointed by the prime minister, with cabinet roles distributed among the Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre, and various coalition partners.
chief of state
President Ram Chandra POUDEL (since 13 March 2023)
election results
2023: Ram Chandra POUDEL was elected president; the electoral college vote was as follows - Ram Chandra POUDEL (NC) 33,802, Subash Chandra NEMBANG (CPN-UML) 15,518.
head of government
Prime Minister Sushila KARKI (since 12 September 2025)
most recent election date
9 March 2023
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by an electoral college of the Federal Parliament and the state assemblies for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
5 March 2026
National holiday
Constitution Day, 20 September (2015)
National color(s)
red
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, the Birthplace of Buddha (c).
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.
Legislative branch
legislature name
Federal Parliament (Sanghiya Sansad)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" (Hundreds of Flowers)
history
adopted 2007
lyrics/music
Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG
National symbol(s)
rhododendron blossom
Administrative divisions
seven provinces (pradesh, singular - pradesh); Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Koshi, Lumbini, Madhesh, Sudurpashchim.
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Pratinidhi Sabha)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
275 (all directly elected)
electoral system
mixed system
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
11/20/2022
expected date of next election
5 March 2026
percentage of women in chamber
0%
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).
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
National Assembly (Rastriya Sabha)
term in office
6 years
number of seats
59 (56 indirectly elected; 3 appointed)
scope of elections
partial renewal
most recent election date
1/25/2024
expected date of next election
January 2026
percentage of women in chamber
37.3%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 667-5534
chancery
2730 34th Place NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone
[1] (202) 667-4550
chief of mission
Ambassador (currently vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Sharad Raj ARAN (since November 2025).
consulate(s) general
New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://us.nepalembassy.gov.np/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[977] (1) 400-7272
embassy
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu
telephone
[977] (1) 423-4000
mailing address
6190 Kathmandu Place, Washington DC 20521-6190.
chief of mission
Ambassador Dean R. THOMPSON (since October 2022)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://np.usembassy.gov/
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
International law organization participation
has not provided a declaration of jurisdiction for the ICJ; is a non-party state to the ICCt.
Economy
Budget
revenues
$7.625 billion (2021 est.)
expenditures
$9.1 billion (2021 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$2.106 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$2.258 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$3.744 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$15.227 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$13.877 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$17.777 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
tourism, textiles, carpets, jute, small rice, sugar, oilseed mills, cigarettes, cement, and brick manufacturing
Labor force
8.435 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2021
39.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
22% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
25.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
33.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
118.345 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
118.134 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
125.199 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
132.115 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
133.727 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$5.719 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
a low-income economy in South Asia; increased stability from post-conflict fiscal federalism; trade and tourism negatively impacted by COVID-19; growing current account deficits; economy vulnerable to environmental issues like earthquakes; expanding relations and investments from China
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
10.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
10.7% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
10.8% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
India 67%, USA 12%, Germany 3%, China 2%, UK 2% (2023)
Imports - partners
India 71%, China 17%, UAE 3%, Singapore 2%, Germany 1% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$4,800 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$4,900 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$5,000 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
5.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.7% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
rice, vegetables, potatoes, sugarcane, maize, wheat, bison milk, milk, mangoes/guavas, bananas (2023)
Exports - commodities
knotted carpets, garments, flat-rolled iron, synthetic fibers, palm oil (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, garments, iron reductions, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$3.088 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$146.66 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$1.954 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
17.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$42.914 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
86.3% (2024 est.)
government consumption
7.4% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
6.1% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
24.3% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
7.6% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-32.9% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
20.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
4.1% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
7.7% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
7.1% (2023 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
0.1% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$141.546 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$144.352 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$149.643 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
19.3% (2024 est.)
total
20.8% (2024 est.)
female
23.6% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$9.639 billion (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$9.319 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$12.456 billion (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
11.4% (2024 est.)
services
55.2% (2024 est.)
agriculture
21.9% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3.7% (2022 est.)
highest 10%
24.2% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022
30 (2022 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
100 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
1.076 million metric tons (2023 est.)
production
9,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
1.091 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
8 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
71,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
1.1 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
1.846 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
9.806 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
2.853 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
1.638 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
93.7%
electrification - urban areas
97.7%
electrification - total population
91.3% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
6.604 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
99% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
56% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The state manages three television stations alongside both national and regional radio stations; there are 117 licensed television channels, of which 71 are cable TV, 3 are accessible via Direct-To-Home (DTH) systems, and 4 are delivered through digital terrestrial means; a total of 736 FM radio stations hold licenses, with a minimum of 314 identified as community stations (2019)
Internet country code
.np
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
726,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
2 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
29.6 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
100 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
1.44 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
5 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Airports
51 (2025)
Railways
total
59 km (2018)
narrow gauge
59 km (2018) 0.762-m gauge
Heliports
14 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
9N
Military & Security
Military - note
The Nepali Army is tasked with national defense, meeting Nepal's obligations to United Nations peacekeeping missions, and performing certain domestic roles such as disaster response, humanitarian aid, social services, and environmental conservation initiatives. During the decade-long civil conflict that concluded in 2006, it executed counterinsurgency actions against Maoist rebels. The Army boasts a longstanding tradition of contributing to UN operations, having dispatched its initial UN observers to Lebanon in 1958 and its first troop contingent to Egypt in 1974. By 2025, approximately 150,000 Nepali military personnel have participated in more than 40 UN missions. Nepal's principal security allies include China, India, and the United States.
Recruitment of Nepalese citizens, known as Gurkhas, into the East India Company Army commenced during the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816). Subsequently, the Gurkhas were integrated into the British Indian Army, and by 1914, the number of Gurkha regiments had reached 10, collectively referred to as the Gurkha Brigade. Following India's partition in 1947, an agreement among Nepal, India, and Great Britain facilitated the transfer of these 10 regiments from the British Indian Army to the distinct British and Indian armies. Four regiments were assigned to the British Army, where they have since served without interruption as the Brigade of Gurkhas, while six Gurkha (also known as Gorkha in India) regiments were incorporated into the newly formed Indian Army, with a seventh regiment added later. Gurkhas are also enlisted in the Singapore Police and in a special unit known as the Gurkha Reserve Unit in Brunei (2025).
Military deployments
1240 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1150 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 440 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 875 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 225 Liberia (UNSMIL); 100 South Sudan/Sudan (UNISFA); 1750 (in addition to approximately 200 police) South Sudan (UNMISS) (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Nepalese Armed Forces (Ministry of Defense): Nepali Army (which includes an Air Wing)
Ministry of Home Affairs: Nepal Police, Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) (2025).
Military service age and obligation
The minimum age for voluntary military service for both men and women is 18 years; the upper age limit varies; there is no conscription (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The Army's equipment inventory comprises a combination of predominantly older systems mainly sourced from British, Chinese, Indian, Russian, and South African origins. In recent years, Nepal has acquired limited quantities of newer equipment from several nations, including China, Indonesia, Italy, and Russia (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 95,000 active Armed Forces (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Indian Mujahedeen
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — the government failed to show significant improvements in efforts to combat trafficking compared to the prior reporting period, resulting in Nepal remaining on the Tier 2 Watch List for a second year in a row; for further information, please visit: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/nepal/
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
18,671 (2024 est.)
refugees
19,874 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
467 (2024 est.)
