Nepal - People & Society

Nepal, a land of diverse cultures and traditions, presents a unique tapestry of its people and society. With a population estimated at 31,334,402 in 2025, the country is characterized by a youthful demographic, where 67.8% of individuals fall within the 15-64 age bracket. Despite challenges, Nepal has achieved a total literacy rate of 68.7% as of 2019. The official language, Nepali, is spoken by 44.9% of the population, but the linguistic landscape is rich, with 123 languages identified as mother tongues in the 2021 census. Religion plays a central role, with Hinduism being the predominant faith at 81.2%, followed by Buddhism and Islam. As urbanization progresses, 21.9% of the population resides in urban areas, growing at an annual rate of 3.09% from 2020 to 2025. This dynamic nation continues to evolve, blending traditional values with modern advancements.

Literacy

male

79.8% (2019 est.)

female

59.4% (2019 est.)

total population

68.7% (2019 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.

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.)

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