Nepal

The population of Nepal is approximately 30M (2024).

The capital of Nepal is Kathmandu.

Nepal's GDP per capita is $1.6K (2024).

Life expectancy in Nepal is 70.64 years (2024).

Nepal covers 147,181 km² (56,827 sq mi).

Nepal is densely populated, with 201 people per km² — above the global average of 60.

Nepal's population is shrinking at 0.1% per year — one of the few countries seeing sustained decline.

Based on GDP per capita, Nepal falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $1.6K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Nepal reports a low intentional homicide rate of 2.1 per 100,000 people, below the global average.

The official language of Nepal is Nepali.

Nepal uses the Nepalese rupee (₨) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Nepal are March, April, October, November, December, based on climate data for the capital.

Nepal has a population of approximately 30 million people, according to current estimates. This population size places the country at rank 51 globally and 20th within the Asian region. While the population density is about 206.2 people per km² (534.1 people per sq mi), recent data indicates a slight annual population decline of 0.15%.

The current estimated GDP per capita in Nepal is 1555 USD, reflecting the nation's status as a developing economy in Southern Asia. This figure ranks Nepal 180th globally and 8th among its nine subregional neighbors. The total GDP for the country is approximately 43 billion USD, supported by sectors like tourism and hydropower.

The life expectancy at birth in Nepal is currently 70.6 years, which places the nation at rank 148 in global comparisons. This represents significant health improvements over previous decades, though it remains in the lower half of global rankings. Access to healthcare and nutrition continue to be focal points for government development initiatives.

The adult literacy rate in Nepal is 68.7%, based on the latest available comprehensive data. This literacy level ranks Nepal 141st out of 170 countries worldwide. Education remains a critical area for development, with a focus on narrowing the gap between urban centers and remote Himalayan villages where access to schooling can be limited.

Approximately 46.3% of the population in Nepal are internet users, according to recent estimates. This level of digital penetration ranks the country 166th globally. While connectivity is increasing rapidly in urban centers like Kathmandu, infrastructure challenges in the high-altitude terrain continue to influence the speed and availability of internet services in rural provinces.

The unemployment rate in Nepal is 10.465%, according to the latest available data. When ranked against other nations for the lowest unemployment, Nepal holds the 36th position globally. Many Nepalese citizens seek employment opportunities abroad, which significantly contributes to the national economy through remittances, helping to balance domestic labor market pressures.

Nepal currently holds a global rank of 51 of 215 countries. In its regional context, it is the 20th most populous country in Asia and ranks 6th of 9 nations within the Southern Asia subregion. These rankings place it as a medium-sized nation with a population nearing 30 million.

Nepal is currently experiencing a population decline, with an annual growth rate of -0.15%. This shift toward negative growth is driven by a fertility rate of 1.96 births per woman, which is below replacement level, alongside a high volume of citizens moving abroad for work and education.

The estimated population density is 206.2 people per km² (534.1 sq mi). While the high-altitude Himalayan regions are very sparsely populated, the density is much higher in the Kathmandu Valley and the Southern Terai plains. This density currently ranks Nepal 65th globally and 20th within Asia.

The latest official data shows a fertility rate of 1.96 births per woman. This is a significant decrease from historical averages and is now below the 2.1 births per woman needed for population replacement. Factors such as improved education for women and wider access to family planning have contributed to this decline.

Approximately 66.8% of the population lives in urban environments. This high urbanization rate, which ranks Nepal 99th globally, is the result of rapid internal migration from rural mountain villages to cities. Urban centers provide more consistent access to healthcare, education, and modern employment compared to remote agricultural regions.