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. 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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates
28 00 N, 84 00 E
Map references
Asia
Area
total : 147,181 sq km
land: 143,351 sq km
water: 3,830 sq km
comparison ranking: total 95
Area – comparative
slightly larger than New York State
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 3,159 km
border countries (2): China 1,389 km; India 1,770 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Terrain
Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south; central hill region with rugged Himalayas in north
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
Natural resources
quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Land use
agricultural land: 26.1% (2022 est.)
arable land: 12.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 12.5% (2022 est.)
forest: 41.6% (2022 est.)
other: 32.3% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
12,090 sq km (2022)
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)
Major aquifers
Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin
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 low
Natural hazards
severe thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; drought and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
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
People and Society
Population
total: 31,122,387 (2024 est.)
male: 15,240,643
female: 15,881,744
comparison rankings: total 50; female 48; male 51
Nationality
noun: Nepali (singular and plural)
adjective: Nepali
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
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:
Religions
Hindu 81.2%, Buddhist 8.2%, Muslim 5.1%, Kirat 3.2%, Christian 1.8%, other 0.5% (2021 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)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 47.4 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 38.1 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 9.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 10.7 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 27.6 years (2024 est.)
male: 26.5 years
female: 28.6 years
comparison ranking: total 157
Population growth rate
0.7% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 128
Birth rate
17 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 91
Death rate
5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 178
Net migration rate
-4.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 198
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 low
Urbanization
urban population: 21.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
1.571 million KATHMANDU (capital) (2023)
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.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
20.4 years (2016 est.)
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio
142 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 52
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
comparison ranking: total 64
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 73 years (2024 est.)
male: 72.2 years
female: 73.7 years
comparison ranking: total population 154
Total fertility rate
1.85 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 132
Gross reproduction rate
0.9 (2024 est.)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 90% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 91.6% of population (2022 est.)
total: 91.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
urban: 10% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 8.4% of population (2022 est.)
total: 8.8% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
5.4% of GDP (2021)
8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.01 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
0.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 96.1% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 89.2% of population (2022 est.)
total: 90.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
urban: 3.9% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 10.8% of population (2022 est.)
total: 9.3% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
4.1% (2016)
comparison ranking: 187
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.)
comparison ranking: total 167
Tobacco use
total: 22.9% (2025 est.)
male: 40.3% (2025 est.)
female: 7.6% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 47
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
18.7% (2022)
comparison ranking: 21
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
74.6% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 5.8% (2022)
women married by age 18: 34.9% (2022)
men married by age 18: 7% (2022)
Education expenditure
4% of GDP (2023 est.)
12.8% national budget (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 109
Literacy
total population: 68.7% (2019 est.)
male: 79.7% (2019 est.)
female: 59.4% (2019 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years (2023 est.)
male: 14 years (2023 est.)
female: 14 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); forest degradation; soil erosion; contaminated water from human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents; unmanaged solid waste; wildlife conservation; air pollution from vehicular emissions
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, Marine Life Conservation
Climate
varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Land use
agricultural land: 26.1% (2022 est.)
arable land: 12.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 12.5% (2022 est.)
forest: 41.6% (2022 est.)
other: 32.3% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 21.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide 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.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 103
Particulate matter emissions
36.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,768,977 tons (2016 est.)
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.)
Total renewable water resources
210.2 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Nepal
local long form: none
local short form: Nepal
etymology: the name probably comes from the Sanskrit term nepala, from the words for “fly down” and “house,” which would refer to the villages at the base of the mountains
Government type
federal parliamentary republic
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: the name comes from the Nepalese words kath (wooden) and mandu (temple), referring to the local temples that are often still built from wood
Administrative divisions
7 provinces (pradesh, singular – pradesh); Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Koshi, Lumbini, Madhesh, Sudurpashchim
Legal system
English common law and Hindu legal concepts
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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 positions shared among Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre, and various coalition partners
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)
most recent election date: 9 March 2023
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
expected date of next election: 2028
Legislative branch
legislature name: Federal Parliament (Sanghiya Sansad)
legislative structure: bicameral
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
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
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Lok Darshan REGMI (since 11 June 2025)
chancery: 2730 34th Place NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550
FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://us.nepalembassy.gov.np/
consulate(s) general: New York
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:
[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
Independence
1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)
National holiday
Constitution Day, 20 September (2015)
note: replaces the previous Republic Day on 28 May as the official national day in Nepal; the Gregorian date fluctuates based on Nepal’s Hindu calendar
Flag description
crimson red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller upper triangle has a white stylized moon, and the larger, lower triangle displays a white 12-pointed sun; the color red represents the rhododendron (the national flower) and victory and bravery, and the blue border signifies peace and harmony; the two triangles are a combination of two pennants that originally symbolized the Himalaya Mountains, but today they refer to Hinduism and Buddhism, the country’s two main religions; the moon stands for the serenity of the people and the Himalayan shade and cool weather, and the sun for the heat and higher temperatures of the rest of the country
note: Nepal is the only country in the world with a flag that is not rectangular or square
National symbol(s)
rhododendron blossom
National color(s)
red
National anthem(s)
title: “Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka” (Hundreds of Flowers)
lyrics/music: Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG
history: adopted 2007
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)
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.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 83
Real GDP growth rate
3.7% (2024 est.)
2% (2023 est.)
5.6% (2022 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 92
Real GDP per capita
$5,000 (2024 est.)
$4,900 (2023 est.)
$4,800 (2022 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 173
GDP (official exchange rate)
$42.914 billion (2024 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
7.1% (2023 est.)
7.7% (2022 est.)
4.1% (2021 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 164
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 21.9% (2024 est.)
industry: 11.4% (2024 est.)
services: 55.2% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 120; industry 180; agriculture 30
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 86.3% (2024 est.)
government consumption: 7.4% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 24.3% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories: 6.1% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services: 7.6% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services: -32.9% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
rice, vegetables, potatoes, sugarcane, maize, wheat, bison milk, milk, mangoes/guavas, bananas (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
tourism, carpets, textiles, small rice, jute, sugar, oilseed mills, cigarettes, cement and brick production
Industrial production growth rate
0.1% (2024 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 134
Labor force
8.435 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 63
Unemployment rate
10.8% (2024 est.)
10.7% (2023 est.)
10.9% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 153
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 20.8% (2024 est.)
male: 19.3% (2024 est.)
female: 23.6% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 54
Population below poverty line
20.3% (2022 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
30 (2022 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 125
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3.7% (2022 est.)
highest 10%: 24.2% (2022 est.)
% share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
33.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
25.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
22% of GDP (2022 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
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
Public debt
39.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 133
Taxes and other revenues
17.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 72
Current account balance
$1.954 billion (2024 est.)
$146.66 million (2023 est.)
-$3.088 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 47
Exports
$3.744 billion (2024 est.)
$2.258 billion (2023 est.)
$2.106 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 148
Exports – partners
India 67%, USA 12%, Germany 3%, China 2%, UK 2% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
knotted carpets, garments, flat-rolled iron, synthetic fibers, palm oil (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$17.777 billion (2024 est.)
$13.877 billion (2023 est.)
$15.227 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 104
Imports – partners
India 71%, China 17%, UAE 3%, Singapore 2%, Germany 1% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, garments, iron reductions, broadcasting equipment (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
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
comparison ranking: 75
Debt – external
$5.719 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 68
Exchange rates
Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
133.727 (2024 est.)
132.115 (2023 est.)
125.199 (2022 est.)
118.134 (2021 est.)
118.345 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 91.3% (2022 est.)
electrification – urban areas: 97.7%
electrification – rural areas: 93.7%
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 2.853 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 9.806 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 1.1 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 1.846 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.638 billion kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 115; imports 69; exports 69; consumption 107; installed generating capacity 112
Electricity generation sources
solar: 1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 99% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
production: 9,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 1.091 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 100 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 1.076 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 8 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 71,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
6.604 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 164
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 726,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 80
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 38.2 million (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 127 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 42
Broadcast media
state operates 3 TV stations, as well as national and regional radio stations; 117 television channels are licensed, 71 of which are cable TV, 3 are distributed through Direct-To-Home (DTH) system, and 4 are digital terrestrial; 736 FM radio stations are licensed, and at least 314 of those are community stations (2019)
Internet country code
.np
Internet users
percent of population: 56% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 1.44 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total 71
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
9N
Airports
51 (2025)
comparison ranking: 87
Heliports
14 (2025)
comparison ranking: 61
Railways
total: 59 km (2018)
narrow gauge: 59 km (2018) 0.762-m gauge
Military and Security
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 (APF) (2025)
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
Military expenditures
1% of GDP (2024 est.)
1% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 95,000 active Armed Forces (2025)
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 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
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)
Military – note
the Nepali Army is responsible for territorial defense, fulfilling Nepal’s commitments to UN peacekeeping, and some domestic duties such as disaster relief/humanitarian assistance, social services, and nature conservation efforts; during the 10-year civil war that ended in 2006, it conducted counterinsurgency operations against Maoist guerrillas; the Army has a long 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 2025, 150,000 Nepali military personnel have deployed on over 40 UN missions; Nepal’s key security partners are 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 (2025)
Terrorism
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
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 19,874 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 18,671 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 467 (2024 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/
