Introduction
Background
During the late 18th-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 following 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. (The Brigade of Gurkhas continues to serve in the British Army to the present day.) In 1951, the Nepali monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system that brought political parties into the government. That arrangement lasted until 1960, when political parties were again banned, but was reinstated in 1990 with the establishment of a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy.
An insurgency led by Maoists broke out in 1996. During the ensuing 10-year civil war between Maoist and government forces, the monarchy dissolved the cabinet and parliament and re-assumed absolute power in 2002, after the crown prince massacred the royal family in 2001. A peace accord in 2006 led to the promulgation of an interim constitution in 2007. Following 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. After the CA failed to draft a constitution by a 2012 deadline set by the Supreme Court, then-Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI dissolved the CA. Months of negotiations ensued until 2013 when the major political parties agreed to create an interim government headed by then-Chief Justice Khil Raj REGMI with a mandate to hold elections for a new CA. Elections were held in 2013, in which the Nepali Congress (NC) won the largest share of seats in the CA and in 2014 formed a coalition government with the second-place Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) with NC President Sushil KOIRALA serving as prime minister. Nepal's new constitution came into effect in 2015, at which point the CA became the Parliament. Khagda Prasad Sharma OLI served as the first post-constitution prime minister from 2015 to 2016. OLI resigned ahead of a no-confidence motion against him, and Parliament elected Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) leader Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (aka "Prachanda") prime minister. The constitution provided for a transitional period during which three sets of elections – local, provincial, and national – needed to take place. The first local elections in 20 years occurred in three phases between May and September 2017, and state and federal elections proceeded in two phases in November and December 2017. The parties headed by OLI and DAHAL ran in coalition and swept the parliamentary elections, and OLI, who led the larger of the two parties, was sworn in as prime minister in February 2018. In May 2018, OLI and DAHAL announced the merger of their parties - the UML and CPN-M - to establish the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), which headed the government for roughly two years before infighting led the party to split. OLI from late 2020 sought to dissolve parliament and hold elections. The supreme court in July 2021 declared OLI's efforts unconstitutional and called for an appointment of the opposition-supported NC leader Sher Bahadur DEUBA as prime minister. DEUBA led Nepal with the support of his party and DAHAL's Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-MC) until December 2022. The NC won a majority of seats in the parliamentary elections on November 2022, but in late December 2022, DAHAL broke with the ruling coalition and sought a partnership with OLI and the CPN-UML to become prime minister. DAHAL's first post-election cabinet lasted approximately two months, until disagreements over ministerial assignments across the coalition caused OLI to withdraw his support. In March 2023, DAHAL survived a vote of confidence and formed a coalition with the NC to remain prime minister.
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Geography
Location
Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates
28 00 N, 84 00 E
Map references
Asia
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: 28.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 15.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 1.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 12.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 25.4% (2018 est.)
other: 45.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
13,320 sq km (2012)
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 quite 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
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%; note - 123 languages reported as mother tongue in 2021 national census; many in government and business also speak English (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%, other 0.5% (2021 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 26.32% (male 4,175,742/female 3,956,153)
15-64 years: 67.52% (male 10,016,748/female 10,846,101)
65 years and over: 6.16% (2023 est.) (male 930,510/female 974,189)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 54.9
youth dependency ratio: 45.5
elderly dependency ratio: 9.4
potential support ratio: 10.7 (2021 est.)
Median age
total: 27.1 years (2023 est.)
male: 26 years
female: 28.1 years
comparison ranking: total 156
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 quite 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: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2023 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
Infant mortality rate
total: 24.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
male: 25.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 23.2 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 65
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 72.7 years (2023 est.)
male: 72 years
female: 73.4 years
comparison ranking: total population 152
Gross reproduction rate
0.91 (2023 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
46.7% (2019)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 92.7% of population
rural: 94.4% of population
total: 94.1% of population
unimproved: urban: 7.3% of population
rural: 5.6% of population
total: 5.9% of population (2020 est.)
Current health expenditure
5.2% of GDP (2020)
Physicians density
0.85 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density
0.3 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 95.1% of population
rural: 85.7% of population
total: 87.7% of population
unimproved: urban: 4.9% of population
rural: 14.3% of population
total: 12.3% of population (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: high (2023)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever
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: 30.4% (2020 est.)
male: 47.9% (2020 est.)
female: 12.8% (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 31
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
74.6% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 7.9%
women married by age 18: 32.8%
men married by age 18: 9% (2019 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 71.2%
male: 81%
female: 63.3% (2021)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2020)
Environment
Environment - current issues
deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); forest degradation; soil erosion; contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); unmanaged solid-waste; wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions
Environment - international 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: 28.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 15.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 1.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 12.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 25.4% (2018 est.)
other: 45.8% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 21.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 36.43 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 9.11 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 41.15 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,768,977 tons (2016 est.)
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
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 Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas apparently gave their name to the country; the terms "Nepal," "Newar," "Nepar," and "Newal" are phonetically different forms of the same word
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: name derives from the Kasthamandap temple that stood in Durbar Square; in Sanskrit, kastha means "wood" and mandapa means "pavilion"; the three-story structure was made entirely of wood, without iron nails or supports, and dated to the late 16th century; it collapsed during a 2015 earthquake
Administrative divisions
7 provinces (pradesh, singular - pradesh); Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Koshi, Lumbini, Madhesh, Sudurpashchim
Independence
1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)
National holiday
Constitution Day, 20 September (2015); note - marks the promulgation of Nepal’s constitution in 2015 and replaces the previous 28 May Republic Day as the official national day in Nepal; the Gregorian day fluctuates based on Nepal’s Hindu calendar
Constitution
history: several previous; latest approved by the Second Constituent Assembly 16 September 2015, signed by the president and effective 20 September 2015
amendments: 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; amended 2016, 2020
Legal system
English common law and Hindu legal concepts; note - new criminal and civil codes came into effect on 17 August 2018
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); Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad YADAV (since 20 March 2023)
head of government: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (since 26 December 2022); deputy prime ministers Narayan Kaji SHRESTHA (since 26 December 2022), Purna Bahadur KHADKA (since 31 March 2023) (an)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister; cabinet split between Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre, and various coalition partners
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by an electoral college of the Federal Parliament and of the state assemblies for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 March 2023 (next to be held in 2028); prime minister indirectly elected by the Federal Parliament
election results: Ram Chandra POUDEL elected president; electoral vote - Ram Chandra POUDEL (NC) 33,802, Subash Chandra NEMBANG (CPN-UML) 15,518
Legislative branch
description: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of:
National Assembly (59 seats; 56 members, including at least 3 women, 1 Dalit, 1 member with disabilities, or 1 minority indirectly elected by an electoral college of state and municipal government leaders, and 3 members, including 1 woman, nominated by the president of Nepal on the recommendation of the government; members serve 6-year terms with renewal of one-third of the membership every 2 years)
House of Representatives (275 seats; 165 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 110 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote, with a threshold of 3% overall valid vote to be allocated a seat; members serve 5-year terms); note - the House of Representatives was dissolved on 22 May 2021, but on 13 July, the Supreme Court directed its reinstatement
elections:
National Assembly - last held on 26 January 2022 (next to be held in 2024)
House of Representatives - last held on 20 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2027)
election results:
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPN-UML 42, NC 13, FSFN 2, RJPN 2; composition - men 37, women 22, percent of women 37.3%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NC 89, CPN-UML 78, CPN-MC 32, RSP 20, RPP 14, PSP-N 12, CPN (Unified Socialist) 10, Janamat Party 6, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party 4,
other 10; composition - men 184, women 91, percent of women 33.1%
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 upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, a 5-member, high-level advisory body headed by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the president upon 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 and leaders
Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal or FSFN [Upendra YADAV]
Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) or CPN-MC [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL]
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) or CPN-UML [Khadga Prasad OLI]
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) or CPN-US [Madhav Kumar NEPAL]
Janamat Party [Chandra Kant RAUT]
Loktantrik Samajwadi Party [Mahantha THAKUR]
Naya Shakti Party, Nepal [Baburam BHATTARAI]
Nepali Congress or NC [Sher Bahadur DEUBA]
Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party (Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party) or NWPP [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE]
People's Socialist Party [Upendra YAKAV]
Rastriya Janamorcha (National People's Front) [Chitra Bahadur K.C.]
Rastriya Janata Party (National People's Party, Nepal) or RJPN [Mahanta THAKUR]
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (National Democratic Party) or RPP [Rajendra Prasad LINGDEN]
Rastriya Swatantra Party or RSP [Rabi LAMICHHANE]
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, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNSOM, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Sridhar KHATRI (since 19 April 2022)
chancery: 2730 34th Place NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550
FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534
email address and website:
info@nepalembassyusa.org
https://us.nepalembassy.gov.np/
consulate(s) general: Chicago, 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:
usembktm@state.gov
https://np.usembassy.gov/
Flag description
crimson red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle displays a white 12-pointed sun; the color red represents the rhododendron (Nepal's national flower) and is a sign of victory and bravery, the blue border signifies peace and harmony; the two right triangles are a combination of two single pennons (pennants) that originally symbolized the Himalaya Mountains while their charges represented the families of the king (upper) and the prime minister, but today they are understood to denote Hinduism and Buddhism, the country's two main religions; the moon represents the serenity of the Nepalese people and the shade and cool weather in the Himalayas, while the sun depicts the heat and higher temperatures of the lower parts of Nepal; the moon and the sun are also said to express the hope that the nation will endure as long as these heavenly bodies
note: Nepal is the only country in the world whose flag is not rectangular or square
National symbol(s)
rhododendron blossom; national color: red
National anthem
name: "Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" (Hundreds of Flowers)
lyrics/music: Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG
note: adopted 2007; after the abolition of the monarchy in 2006, a new anthem was required because of the previous anthem's praise for the king
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)
$115.093 billion (2021 est.)
$110.404 billion (2020 est.)
$113.083 billion (2019 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
comparison ranking: 86
Real GDP per capita
$3,800 (2021 est.)
$3,800 (2020 est.)
$3,900 (2019 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
comparison ranking: 187
GDP (official exchange rate)
$24.88 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.09% (2021 est.)
5.05% (2020 est.)
5.57% (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 89
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 27% (2017 est.)
industry: 13.5% (2017 est.)
services: 59.5% (2017 est.)
comparison rankings: services 131; industry 190; agriculture 25
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 78% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 11.7% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 33.8% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 8.7% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 9.8% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -42% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products
rice, vegetables, sugar cane, potatoes, maize, wheat, buffalo milk, milk, fruit, mangoes/guavas
Industries
tourism, carpets, textiles; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 9.5% (2021 est.)
male: 10.6%
female: 8.6%
comparison ranking: total 160
Population below poverty line
25.2% (2011 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 29.5% (2011)
Budget
revenues: $7.305 billion (2020 est.)
expenditures: $9.008 billion (2020 est.)
Fiscal year
16 July - 15 July
Current account balance
-$5.363 billion (2021 est.)
-$84.137 million (2020 est.)
-$1.754 billion (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 190
Exports
$2.52 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$1.771 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$2.726 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
comparison ranking: 151
Exports - partners
India 68%, United States 10% (2019)
Exports - commodities
soybean oil, palm oil, clothing and apparel, carpets, nutmeg (2021)
Imports
$16.993 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$10.694 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$13.836 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
comparison ranking: 96
Imports - partners
India 70%, China 15% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, iron, broadcasting equipment, natural gas, rice (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$9.661 billion (31 December 2021 est.)
$11.468 billion (31 December 2020 est.)
$8.713 billion (31 December 2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 82
Debt - external
$5.849 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$4.321 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 129
Exchange rates
Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
118.134 (2021 est.)
118.345 (2020 est.)
112.609 (2019 est.)
108.93 (2018 est.)
104.512 (2017 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
population without electricity: 1 million (2020)
electrification - total population: 89.9% (2021)
electrification - urban areas: 94.2% (2021)
electrification - rural areas: 97% (2020)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 1.392 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 4.676 billion kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 107 million kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 1.729 billion kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.183 billion kWh (2019 est.)
comparison rankings: installed generating capacity 128; transmission/distribution losses 107; imports 60; exports 91; consumption 128
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 97.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal
production: 28,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 839,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 811,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 1 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 49,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
7.708 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.051 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 6.657 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 120
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 730,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 79
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 38 million (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 130 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 41
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: in relation to its telecom sector, Nepal has several topographical and economic constraints which have impeded efforts to expand network infrastructure and improve the quality of service for end-users; the fixed line market remains underdeveloped, and as a result most traffic is channeled via mobile networks; fixed broadband penetration remains very low, though to address this the government has initiated several programs as part of the Digital Nepal Framework and the wider Optical Fiber Backbone Network Expansion Project, started in 2012; supported by the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund, the programs include building out fiber backbone infrastructure and using this to provide broadband to schools and community centers nationally; telcos have also invested in fiber networks, and competition in the market is intensifying; cheap fiber-based services launched in mid-2021 prompted responses from other ISPs to provide faster and more competitively priced offers; Nepal’s mobile market is relatively developed, with a focus on LTE; in 2021, the regulator considered a range of spectrum bands which could be used for 5G (2021)
domestic: fixed-line is 2 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular nearly 130 per 100 persons (2021)
international: country code - 977; Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
Broadcast media
state operates 3 TV stations, as well as national and regional radio stations; 117 television channels are licensed, among those 71 are cable television channels, three are distributed through Direct-To-Home (DTH) system, and four are digital terrestrial; 736 FM radio stations are licensed and at least 314 of those radio stations are community radio stations (2019)
Internet users
total: 15.6 million (2021 est.)
percent of population: 52% (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total 49
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 1.27 million (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 69
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 39
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 3,296,953 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4.66 million (2018) mt-km
Airports - with paved runways
11
note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
36
note: unpaved runways have a surface composition such as grass or packed earth and are most suited to the operation of light aircraft; unpaved runways are usually short, often less than 1,000 m (3,280 ft.) in length; airports with unpaved runways often lack facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control
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 (2023)
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
1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.1% of GDP (2019)
2.3% of GDP (2018)
comparison ranking: 125
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 95,000 active troops (including a small air wing of about 500 personnel) (2023)
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, Italy, and Russia (2022)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service (including women); no conscription (2023)
note: as of 2022, women comprised about 7% of the active duty military
Military deployments
1225 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,150 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 400 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 875 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 225 Liberia (UNSMIL); 175 Mali (MINUSMA); 1,750 (plus about 220 police) South Sudan (UNMISS) (2023)
Military - note
the Nepali Army is a lightly equipped and professional force responsible for territorial defense, although it has some domestic duties such as disaster relief/humanitarian assistance and nature conservation efforts; during the 10-year civil war that ended in 2006, it conducted extensive counterinsurgency operations against Maoist guerrillas; the Army also has a long and distinguished 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 2023, nearly 150,000 Nepali military personnel had deployed on over 40 UN missions; the Army conducts training with foreign partners, including China, India, and the US; it has 8 geographically-based divisions, each comprised of light infantry brigades and support units; the Army also has independent special forces and security force (palace guard) brigades; the Air Wing has a small number of multi-role and transport helicopters
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 (2023)
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 Appendix-T
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
Nepal-China: China may have constructed 11 buildings in Nepal’s Humla region in 2021
Nepal-India: joint border commission continues to work on contested sections of boundary with India, including the 400 sq km dispute over the source of the Kalapani River; the Kalapani issue resurfaced in November 2019 when India issued a new map showing the contested area within India’s borders and then built a new road in the region through Lipulekh pass, an area controlled by India but claimed by Nepal; Nepal countered by amending its constitution and issuing its own map showing the disputed area within its borders; the countries prime ministers briefly discussed the border dispute in April 2022; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of illegal cross-border activities
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 12,540 (Tibet/China), 6,365 (Bhutan) (mid-year 2022)
stateless persons: undetermined (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs
illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West; destination country for Indian-produced heroin smuggled in for domestic consumption