Introduction
Background
During the late 18th and 19th centuries, the principality of Gorkha united many 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 1990, a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy was established.
Geography
Area
total : 147,181 sq km
land: 143,351 sq km
water: 3,830 sq km
Climate
varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Natural resources
quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
People and Society
Population
total: 31,122,387
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.)
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.)
Religions
Hindu 81.2%, Buddhist 8.2%, Muslim 5.1%, Kirat 3.2%, Christian 1.8%, other 0.5% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
0.7% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
federal parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Kathmandu
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)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the National Assembly (59 seats) and the House of Representatives (275 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Kumar Raj KHAREL (since 26 June 2024)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Dean R. THOMPSON (since October 2022)
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)
$144.31 billion (2023 est.)
$141.546 billion (2022 est.)
$134 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$4,700 (2023 est.)
$4,600 (2022 est.)
$4,500 (2021 est.)
Exports
$2.999 billion (2023 est.)
$2.733 billion (2022 est.)
$2.52 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
India 67%, US 11%, Germany 3%, Turkey 2%, UK 2% (2022)
Exports - commodities
palm oil, soybean oil, garments, synthetic fibers, knotted carpets (2022)
Imports
$14.098 billion (2023 est.)
$15.462 billion (2022 est.)
$16.993 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
India 64%, China 13%, UAE 3%, Indonesia 2%, US 2% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, gold, rice, soybean oil (2022)
Page last updated: Tuesday, October 01, 2024
