2012 Edition

Background

In 1951, the Nepali monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. An insurgency led by Maoist extremists broke out in 1996. The ensuing 10-year civil war between insurgents and government forces witnessed the dissolution of the cabinet and parliament and assumption of absolute power by the king. Several weeks of mass protests in April 2006 were followed by several months of peace negotiations between the Maoists and government officials, and culminated in a November 2006 peace accord and the promulgation of an interim constitution. Following a nation-wide election in April 2008, the newly formed Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic and abolished the monarchy at its first meeting the following month. The Constituent Assembly elected the country's first president in July. Between 2008 and 2011 there have been four different coalition governments, led twice by the United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, which received a plurality of votes in the Constituent Assembly election, and twice by the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist. In November 2011, Maoist Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI, who was elected in August 2011, and the leaders of the main political parties signed an agreement seeking to conclude the peace process and recommit the Constituent Assembly to finish drafting the constitution by a May 2012 deadline.

Area

147,181 sq km 143,351 sq km 3,830 sq km

total

147,181 sq km

water

3,830 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Arkansas

Climate

varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Kanchan Kalan 70 m Mount Everest 8,850 m

highest point

Mount Everest 8,850 m

lowest point

Kanchan Kalan 70 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Marine Life Conservation

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Marine Life Conservation

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

10.18 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%) 375 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

375 cu m/yr (2000)

total

10.18 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%)

Geographic coordinates

28 00 N, 84 00 E

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 - on the borders with China and India respectively

Irrigated land

11,680 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

2,926 km China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km

border countries

China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km

total

2,926 km

Land use

16.07% 0.85% 83.08% (2005)

arable land

16.07%

other

83.08% (2005)

permanent crops

0.85%

Location

Southern Asia, between China and India

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

severe thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; drought and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons

Natural resources

quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Terrain

Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north

Total renewable water resources

210.2 cu km (1999)

Age structure

33.5% (male 5,108,258/ female 4,918,259) 62% (male 8,929,300/ female 9,615,783) 4.4% (male 613,905/ female 705,181) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

33.5% (male 5,108,258/ female 4,918,259)

15-64 years

62% (male 8,929,300/ female 9,615,783)

65 years and over

4.4% (male 613,905/ female 705,181) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

21.85 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

38.8% (2006)

Death rate

6.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

4.6% of GDP (2009)

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% (2001 census)

Health expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

4,700 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

64,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

5 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

43.13 deaths/1,000 live births 43.15 deaths/1,000 live births 43.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

43.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

43.13 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Nepali (official) 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% (2001 census) many in government and business also speak English (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

66.51 years 65.26 years 67.82 years (2012 est.)

female

67.82 years (2012 est.)

total population

66.51 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 60.3% 73% 48.3% (2010 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

48.3% (2010 census)

male

73%

total population

60.3%

Major cities - population

KATHMANDU (capital) 990,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

170 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

22.1 years 21.2 years 22.9 years (2012 est.)

female

22.9 years (2012 est.)

male

21.2 years

total

22.1 years

Nationality

Nepali (singular and plural) Nepali

adjective

Nepali

noun

Nepali (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

2.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.21 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

29,890,686 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

1.768% (2012 est.)

Religions

Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 51% of population rural: 27% of population total: 31% of population urban: 49% of population rural: 73% of population total: 69% of population

rural

73% of population

total

69% of population

urban

49% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

9 years 10 years 8 years (2003)

female

8 years (2003)

male

10 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.87 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.41 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

19% of total population (2010) 4.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

19% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti

Capital

Kathmandu 27 43 N, 85 19 E UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

27 43 N, 85 19 E

name

Kathmandu

time difference

UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

15 January 2007 (interim Constitution); note - in April 2008, a Constituent Assembly was elected as an interim parliament to draft and promulgate a new constitution by May 2010; the deadline has been extended four times, most recently until May 2012

Country name

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Nepal Sanghiya Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal Nepal

conventional long form

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

conventional short form

Nepal

local long form

Sanghiya Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal

local short form

Nepal

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Peter W. BODDE Maharajgunj, Kathmandu use embassy street address [977] (1) 400-7200 [977] (1) 400-7272

chief of mission

Ambassador Peter W. BODDE

embassy

Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

FAX

[977] (1) 400-7272

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[977] (1) 400-7200

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Shankar Prasad SHARMA 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 667-4550 [1] (202) 667-5534 New York

chancery

2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Shankar Prasad SHARMA

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 667-5534

telephone

[1] (202) 667-4550

Executive branch

President Ram Baran YADAV (since 23 July 2008); Vice President Paramananda JHA (since 23 July 2008) Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI (since 29 August 2011); Deputy Prime Ministers Bijay Kumar GACHCHADAR (since 29 August 2011) and Narayan Kaji SHRESTHA cabinet was formed in August-September 2011 by a majority coalition made up of the United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Democratic, Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Republic, Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Nepal, Terai-Madhes Democratic Party, and several smaller parties president elected by Parliament; term extends until the new constitution is promulgated; election last held on 21 July 2008; date of next election NA Ram Baran YADAV elected president by the Constituent Assembly in a second round of voting on 21 July 2008; Ram Baran YADAV 308, Ram Jaja Prasad SINGH 282

cabinet

cabinet was formed in August-September 2011 by a majority coalition made up of the United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Democratic, Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Republic, Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Nepal, Terai-Madhes Democratic Party, and several smaller parties

chief of state

President Ram Baran YADAV (since 23 July 2008); Vice President Paramananda JHA (since 23 July 2008)

election results

Ram Baran YADAV elected president by the Constituent Assembly in a second round of voting on 21 July 2008; Ram Baran YADAV 308, Ram Jaja Prasad SINGH 282

elections

president elected by Parliament; term extends until the new constitution is promulgated; election last held on 21 July 2008; date of next election NA

head of government

Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI (since 29 August 2011); Deputy Prime Ministers Bijay Kumar GACHCHADAR (since 29 August 2011) and Narayan Kaji SHRESTHA

Flag description

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 Nepal is the only country in the world whose flag is not rectangular or square

Government type

federal democratic republic

Independence

1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB, BIMSTEC, CD, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (the president appoints the chief justice on recommendation of the Constitutional Council; the chief justice appoints other judges on the recommendation of the Judicial Council)

Legal system

English common law and Hindu legal concepts

Legislative branch

unicameral Constituent Assembly (601 seats; 240 members elected by direct popular vote, 335 by proportional representation, and 26 appointed by the Cabinet (Council of Ministers)) last held on 10 April 2008; note - the Constituent Assembly failed to draft a new constitution by the 27 May 2012 deadline; parties aim to hold elections for a new Constituent Assembly in April-May 2013 percent of vote by party - CPN-M 38%, NC 19%, CPN-UML 18%, Madhesi People's Right Forum 9%, other 11%; seats by party - CPN-M 229, NC 115, CPN-UML 108, Madhesi People's Rights Forum 54, Terai Madhes Democratic Party 21, other smaller parties 74; note - 26 seats filled by the new Cabinet are included in the totals above

election results

percent of vote by party - CPN-M 38%, NC 19%, CPN-UML 18%, Madhesi People's Right Forum 9%, other 11%; seats by party - CPN-M 229, NC 115, CPN-UML 108, Madhesi People's Rights Forum 54, Terai Madhes Democratic Party 21, other smaller parties 74; note - 26 seats filled by the new Cabinet are included in the totals above

elections

last held on 10 April 2008; note - the Constituent Assembly failed to draft a new constitution by the 27 May 2012 deadline; parties aim to hold elections for a new Constituent Assembly in April-May 2013

National anthem

"Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" (Hundreds of Flowers) Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG 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

lyrics/music

Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG

name

"Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" (Hundreds of Flowers)

National holiday

Republic Day, 29 May

National symbol(s)

rhododendron blossom

Political parties and leaders

Chure Bhawar Rastriya Ekata Party [Badri Prasad NEUPANE]; Communist Party of Nepal-Marxist Leninist or CPN-ML [C.P. MAINALI]; Communist Party of Nepal-Marxist Leninist Samaibadi [Jaqat Bahadur BOGATI]; Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist [Mohan BAIDYA, also known as KIRAN]; Communist Party of Nepal-Unified [Raj Singh SHRIS]; Communist Party of Nepal-United [Chandra Dev JOSHI]; Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist or CPN-UML [Jhalanath KHANAL]; Dalit Janajati Party [Vishwendraman PASHWAN]; Federal Democratic National Forum; Federal Democratic National Party [Yogendra CHAUDBARI]; Federal Sadbhayana Party [Anil JHAL]; Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Democratic [Bijay Kumar GACHHADAR]; Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Nepal [Upendra YADAV]; Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Republic [Jaya Prakash GUPTA]; Nepal Loktantrik Samajbadi Dal [Laxmi Lal CHAUDBARY]; Nepal Pariwar Dal [Eknath DHAKAL]; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE]; Nepali Congress or NC [Sushil KOIRALA]; Nepali Janata Dal [Harish Chandra SHA]; Newa Rastriya Party [Keshav Man SHAKYA]; Rastriya Janamorcha [Chitra Bahadur K.C.]; Rastriya Janamukti Party [Malwar Singh THAPA]; Rastriya Janashakti Party or RJP [Surya Bahadur THAPA]; Rastriya Prajantantra Party [Pashupati Shumsher RANA]; Rastriya Prajantantra Party Nepal [Kamal THAPA]; Sadbhavana Party [Rajendra MAHATO]; Sadbhavana Party-Anandi Devi [Sarita GIRI]; Samajbadi Prajatantrik Janata Party Nepal [Prem Bahadur SINGH]; Terai Madhes Democratic Party [Mahantha THAKUR]; Terai Madhes Democratic Party-Nepal [Mahendra YADAVI]; Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, also known as PRACHANDA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

small armed Madhesi groups along the southern border with India; a variety of groups advocating regional autonomy for individual ethnic groups

other

small armed Madhesi groups along the southern border with India; a variety of groups advocating regional autonomy for individual ethnic groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, jute, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat

Budget

$3.5 billion $4.7 billion (FY11/12)

expenditures

$4.7 billion (FY11/12)

revenues

$3.5 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.2% of GDP (FY11/12)

Central bank discount rate

6% (31 December 2010 est.) 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8% (31 December 2012 est.) 8% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$93 million (2012 est.) $49 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$3.774 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $3.673 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32.8 (2010) 47.2 (2008 est.)

Economy - overview

Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world, with with about one-quarter of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for three-fourths of the population and accounting for a little over one-third of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower, with an estimated 42,000 MW of feasible capacity, but political instability hampers foreign investment. Additional challenges to Nepal's growth include its landlocked geographic location, civil strife and labor unrest, and its susceptibility to natural disaster.

Exchange rates

Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar - 85.16 (2012 est.) 74.02 (2011 est.) 73.16 (2010 est.) 77.44 (2009) 65.21 (2008)

Exports

$1 billion (2012 est.) $998.9 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

clothing, pulses, carpets, textiles, juice, pashima, jute goods

Exports - partners

India 57.4%, US 9.6%, Germany 5.4% (2011)

Fiscal year

16 July - 15 July

GDP - composition by sector

38.1% 15.3% 46.6% (2012 est.)

agriculture

38.1%

industry

15.3%

services

46.6% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,300 (2012 est.) $1,300 (2011 est.) $1,200 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.6% (2012 est.) 3.9% (2011 est.) 4.8% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$19.42 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$40.49 billion (2012 est.) $38.7 billion (2011 est.) $37.25 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.2% 29.5% (2011)

highest 10%

29.5% (2011)

lowest 10%

3.2%

Imports

$6.15 billion (2012 est.) $5.665 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, machinery and equipment, gold, electrical goods, medicine

Imports - partners

India 57%, China 25.9% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

2.9% (FY11/12)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.3% (2012 est.) 7.7% (2011 est.)

Labor force

18 million severe lack of skilled labor (2009 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

75% 7% 18% (2010 est.)

agriculture

75%

industry

7%

services

18% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.529 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $4.843 billion (31 December 2010) $5.485 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

25.2% (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.631 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $2.925 billion (2010 est.)

Stock of broad money

$12.12 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $12.14 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$9.618 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $11.28 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.983 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.884 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18% of GDP (FY11/12)

Unemployment rate

46% (2008 est.) 42% (2004 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3.359 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

5.349 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

7.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

92.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

74 million kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

717,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

3.431 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

18,430 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

17,250 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

state operates 2 TV stations as well as national and regional radio stations; roughly 30 independent TV channels are registered with only about half in regular operation; nearly 400 FM radio stations are licensed with roughly 300 operational (2007)

Internet country code

.np

Internet hosts

41,256 (2012)

Internet users

577,800 (2009)

Telephone system

poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network mobile-cellular telephone subscribership base is increasing with roughly 90% of the population living in areas covered by mobile carriers country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

domestic

mobile-cellular telephone subscribership base is increasing with roughly 90% of the population living in areas covered by mobile carriers

general assessment

poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network

international

country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

845,500 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

13.355 million (2011)

Airports

47 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

6

over 3,047 m

1

total

11

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

29 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

6

total

36

under 914 m

29 (2012)

Railways

59 km 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2008)

total

59 km

Roadways

17,282 km 10,142 km 7,140 km (2007)

total

17,282 km

unpaved

7,140 km (2007)

Manpower available for military service

6,941,152 7,618,397 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

7,618,397 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

6,941,152

Manpower fit for military service

5,260,878 5,947,512 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

5,947,512 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,260,878

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

380,172 367,103 (2010 est.)

female

367,103 (2010 est.)

male

380,172

Military branches

Nepal Army (2010)

Military expenditures

1.6% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for military training; no conscription (2011)

Disputes - international

joint border commission continues to work on contested sections of boundary with India, including the 400 square kilometer dispute over the source of the Kalapani River; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents and illegal cross-border activities; approximately 106,000 Bhutanese Lhotshampas (Hindus) have been confined in refugee camps in southeastern Nepal since 1990

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

57,381 (Bhutan); 15,000 (Tibet/China) (2011) 50,000 (remaining from ten-year Maoist insurgency that officially ended in 2006; figure does not include people displaced since 2007 by inter-communal violence and insecurity in the Terai region) (2012)

IDPs

50,000 (remaining from ten-year Maoist insurgency that officially ended in 2006; figure does not include people displaced since 2007 by inter-communal violence and insecurity in the Terai region) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

57,381 (Bhutan); 15,000 (Tibet/China) (2011)