Population and Demographics

Nepal has a total population of 28,901,790 (2007 figures), with a growth rate of 2.1%. 38% of the population is aged 14 or under, 58% are aged between 15 and 64, and 4% above 65. The median age is 20.5 and life expectancy is 60.5. Nepal is the only country in the world where males outlive females. Total literacy rate (age 15 and over can read and write) is 48.6%

The northern mountains are sparsely populated. A majority of the population live in the central highlands despite the migration of a significant section of the population to the fertile Terrai belt in recent years. Kathmandu, with a population of 800,000, is the largest city in the country.

Hindus constitute over 80% of the population, with other relgious groups including Buddhists, Muslims and Kirant. Differences between Hindus and Buddhists have been in general very subtle and academic in nature due to the intermingling of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. Both share common temples and worship common deities and many of Nepal's Hindus could also be regarded as Buddhists and vice versa. Buddhists are mostly concentrated in the eastern regions and the central Terrai. Buddhism was relatively more common among the Newar and Tibeto-Nepalese groups. Among the Tibeto-Nepalese, those most influenced by Hinduism were the Magar, Sunwar, Limbu and Rai. Hindu influence is less prominent among the Gurung, Bhutia, and Thakali groups, who employ Buddhist monks for their religious ceremonies.

Facts and Figures

• Population: 28,901,790
• Age Structure:
  • 0-14 years: 38.3% (male 5,721,720/female 5,360,391)
  • 15-64 years: 57.9% (male 8,597,037/female 8,134,115)
  • 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 528,113/female 560,414)
• Median Age:
  • Total: 20.5 years
  • Male: 20.3 years
  • Female: 20.6 years
• Population Growth Rate: 2.132%
• Birth Rate: 30.46 births/1,000 population
• Death Rate: 9.14 deaths/1,000 population
• Net Migration Rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
• Sex Ratio:
  • At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  • Under 15 years: 1.067 male(s)/female
  • 15-64 years: 1.057 male(s)/female
  • 65 years and over: 0.942 male(s)/female
  • Total population: 1.056 male(s)/female
• Infant Mortality Rate:
  • Total: 63.66 deaths/1,000 live births
  • Male: 61.87 deaths/1,000 live births
  • Female: 65.54 deaths/1,000 live births
• Life Expectancy at Birth:
  • Total population: 60.56 years
  • Male: 60.78 years
  • Female: 60.33 years
• Total Fertility Rate: 4.01 children born/woman
• HIV/AIDS:
  • Adult prevalence rate: 0.5%
  • People living with HIV/AIDS: 61,000
• Ethnic Groups:
  • Chhettri 15.5%
  • Brahman-Hill 12.5%
  • Magar 7%
  • Tharu 6.6%
  • Tamang 5.5%
  • Newar 5.4%
  • Muslim 4.2%
  • Kami 3.9%
  • Yadav 3.9%
  • Other 32.7%
  • Unspecified 2.8%
• Religions:
  Note: only official Hindu state in the world
  • Hindu 80.6%
  • Buddhist 10.7%
  • Muslim 4.2%
  • Kirant 3.6%
  • Other 0.9%
• Languages:
  Note: many in government and business also speak English
  • Nepali 47.8%
  • Maithali 12.1%
  • Bhojpuri 7.4%
  • Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%
  • Tamang 5.1%
  • Newar 3.6%
  • Magar 3.3%
  • Awadhi 2.4%
  • Other 10%
  • Unspecified 2.5%
• Literacy:
  • Total population: 48.6%
  • Male: 62.7%
  • Female: 34.9%