2014 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 Maoists broke out in 1996. The ensuing 10-year civil war between Maoist and government forces witnessed the dissolution of the cabinet and parliament and assumption of absolute power by the king in 2002. 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 late 2006 peace accord and the promulgation of an interim constitution. Following a nationwide election in April 2008, the newly formed Constituent Assembly (CA) declared Nepal a federal democratic republic and abolished the monarchy at its first meeting the following month. The CA elected the country's first president in July. Between 2008 and 2011 there were four different coalition governments, led twice by the United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, which received a plurality of votes in the 2008 CA election, and twice by the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist (UML). After the CA failed to draft a constitution by the May 2012 deadline set by the Supreme Court, then Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI dissolved the CA. Months of negotiations ensued until March 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 November 2013, in which and the Nepali Congress won the largest share of the seats in the CA and in February 2014 formed a coalition government with the second place UML and with Nepali Congress President Sushil KOIRALA as prime minister

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 in Asia)

highest point

Mount Everest 8,850 m (highest point in Asia)

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)

9.5 cu km/yr (2%/0%/98%) 334.7 cu m/yr (2006)

per capita

334.7 cu m/yr (2006)

total

9.5 cu km/yr (2%/0%/98%)

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% 0.8% 83.2% (2011)

arable land

16%

other

83.2% (2011)

permanent crops

0.8%

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 (2011)

Age structure

31.6% (male 4,989,268/female 4,805,381) 22.6% (male 3,521,421/female 3,484,203) 35.7% (male 5,273,079/female 5,775,404) 5.6% (male 847,431/female 886,760) 4.5% (male 648,917/female 755,111) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

31.6% (male 4,989,268/female 4,805,381)

15-24 years

22.6% (male 3,521,421/female 3,484,203)

25-54 years

35.7% (male 5,273,079/female 5,775,404)

55-64 years

5.6% (male 847,431/female 886,760)

65 years and over

4.5% (male 648,917/female 755,111) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

21.07 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

2,467,549 34 % (2008 est.)

percentage

34 % (2008 est.)

total number

2,467,549

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

29.1% (2011)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

49.7% (2011)

Death rate

6.62 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

64 % 55.4 % 8.6 % 11.7 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

8.6 %

potential support ratio

11.7 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

64 %

youth dependency ratio

55.4 %

Drinking water source

urban: 90.3% of population rural: 87.6% of population total: 88.1% of population urban: 9.7% of population rural: 12.4% of population total: 11.9% of population (2012 est.)

rural

12.4% of population

total

11.9% of population (2012 est.)

urban

9.7% of population

Education expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

Chhettri 16.6%, Brahman-Hill 12.2%, Magar 7.1%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.8%, Newar 5%, Kami 4.8%, Muslim 4.4%, Yadav 4%, Rai 2.3%, Gurung 2%, Damai/Dholii 1.8%, Thakuri 1.6%, Limbu 1.5%, Sarki 1.4%, Teli 1.4%, Chamar/Harijan/Ram 1.3%, Koiri/Kushwaha 1.2%, other 19% 125 caste/ethnic groups were reported in the 2011 national census (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

5.4% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

4,100 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

48,700 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

40.43 deaths/1,000 live births 40.5 deaths/1,000 live births 40.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

40.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

40.43 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Nepali (official) 44.6%, Maithali 11.7%, Bhojpuri 6%, Tharu 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.2%, Magar 3%, Bajjika 3%, Urdu 2.6%, Avadhi 1.9%, Limbu 1.3%, Gurung 1.2%, other 10.4%, unspecified 0.2% 123 languages reported as mother tongue in 2011 national census; many in government and business also speak English (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

67.19 years 65.88 years 68.56 years (2014 est.)

female

68.56 years (2014 est.)

total population

67.19 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 57.4% 71.1% 46.7% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

46.7% (2011 est.)

male

71.1%

total population

57.4%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever (2013)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever (2013)

Major urban areas - population

KATHMANDU (capital) 1.015 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

170 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

22.9 years 22.2 years 23.6 years (2014 est.)

female

23.6 years (2014 est.)

male

22.2 years

total

22.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.1 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2011 est.)

Nationality

Nepali (singular and plural) Nepali

adjective

Nepali

noun

Nepali (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

3.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

1.4% (2008)

Physicians density

0.21 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

30,986,975 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

1.82% (2014 est.)

Religions

Hindu 81.3%, Buddhist 9%, Muslim 4.4%, Kirant 3.1%, Christian 1.4%, other 0.5%, unspecifed 0.2% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 51.2% of population rural: 33.7% of population total: 36.7% of population urban: 48.8% of population rural: 66.3% of population total: 63.3% of population (2012 est.)

rural

66.3% of population

total

63.3% of population (2012 est.)

urban

48.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 12 years 13 years (2011)

female

13 years (2011)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.91 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.97 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 (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.3 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

17% of total population (2011) 3.62% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.62% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

17% of total population (2011)

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

several previous; latest entered into force 15 January 2007 (interim); note -a Constituent Assembly (CA) elected in 2008 to draft and promulgate a new constitution was unsuccessful and was disolved in mid-2012; a new CA was elected in late 2013 and the parties have committed to promulgating a new constitution by mid-February 2015 (2014)

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 (since 21 September 2012) Maharajgunj, Kathmandu use embassy street address [977] (1) 423-4000 [977] (1) 400-7272

chief of mission

Ambassador Peter W. BODDE (since 21 September 2012)

embassy

Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

FAX

[977] (1) 400-7272

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[977] (1) 423-4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Rishi Ram GHIMIRE (since 22 January 2014) 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 (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Rishi Ram GHIMIRE (since 22 January 2014)

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 Sushil KOIRALA (since 11 February 2014) Prime Minister Koirala on 25 February 2014 appointed the cabinet ministers; the cabinet is dominated by the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist president elected by Parliament; term extends until the new constitution is promulgated; president elected on 21 July 2008 (next election NA) Ram Baran YADAV elected president by the Constituent Assembly in second round; Ram Baran YADAV 308 votes, Ram Jaja Prasad SINGH 282

cabinet

Prime Minister Koirala on 25 February 2014 appointed the cabinet ministers; the cabinet is dominated by the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist

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 second round; Ram Baran YADAV 308 votes, Ram Jaja Prasad SINGH 282

elections

president elected by Parliament; term extends until the new constitution is promulgated; president elected on 21 July 2008 (next election NA)

head of government

Prime Minister Sushil KOIRALA (since 11 February 2014)

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, MINUSMA, 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 (consists of the chief justice and up to 14 judges note - Nepal's judiciary was restructured under its 2007 Interim Constitution the Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council; other judges are appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the Judicial Council; judges serve until age 65 appellate and district courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and up to 14 judges

judge selection and term of office

the Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council; other judges are appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the Judicial Council; judges serve until age 65

subordinate courts

appellate and district courts

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); note - interim government Chairman REGMI convened Nepal's second Constituency Assembly on 22 January 2014 last held on 19 November 2013 (next to be held NA) percent of vote by party - NC 26%, CPN-UML 24%, Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) 15%, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal 7%; other 26%; seats by party - NC 196, CPN-UML 175, UCPN(M) 80, Rastriya Prajantantra Party Nepal 24, other smaller parties 100; note - 26 seats filled by the new Cabinet have not yet been appointed

election results

percent of vote by party - NC 26%, CPN-UML 24%, Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) 15%, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal 7%; other 26%; seats by party - NC 196, CPN-UML 175, UCPN(M) 80, Rastriya Prajantantra Party Nepal 24, other smaller parties 100; note - 26 seats filled by the new Cabinet have not yet been appointed

elections

last held on 19 November 2013 (next to be held NA)

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

120 political parties participated in the 19 November 2013 election and the 30 parties listed below were elected to serve in the Constituent Assembly Akhanda Nepal Party [Kumar KHADKA] Communist Party of Nepal-Marxist Leninist [C.P. MAINALI] Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist or UML [Jhalanath KHANAL] Communist Party of Nepal (United) [Chandra Dev JOSHI] Dalit Janajati Party [Bishwendra PASHWAN] Federal Socialist Party [Ashok RAI] Jana Jagaran Party Nepal [Lok Mani DHAKAL] Khambuwan Rastriya Morcha-Nepal [Ram Kumar RAI] Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Democratic [Bijay Kumar GACHCHADAR] Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Nepal [Upendra YADAV] Madhesi People's Rights Forum-Republican [Raj Kishore YADAV] Madhes Samata Party Nepal [Meghraj SAHANI] National Madhes Socialist Party [Sharat Singh BHANDARI] Nepal Pariwar Dal [Ek Nath DHAKAL] Nepal Workers and Peasants Party [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE] Nepali Congress [Sushil KOIRALA] Nepali Janata Dal [Hari Charan SAH] Nepa Rastriya Party [Keshav Man SHAKYA] Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal [Chitra Bahadur K.C.] Rastriya Janamukti Party [Malwar Singh THAPA] Rastriya Prajatantra Party [Surya Bahadur THAPA] Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal [Kamal THAPA] Sadbhavana Party [Rajendra MAHATO] Samajbadi Janata Party Nepal [Prem Bahadur SINGH] Sanghiya Sadbhavana Party [Anil JHA] Sanghiye Lokatantrik Rastriya Manch [Rukmini CHAUDARY] Terai Madhes Democratic Party [Mahantha THAKUR] Terai Madhes Sadbhavana Party-Nepal [Mahendra YADAV] Tharuhat Terai Party Nepal [Bhanuram CHAUDARY] Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) or UCPN(M) [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, also known as PRACHANDA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

The Communist Party of Nepal - Maoist (CPN-M); note - this party split from the UCPN(M) in June 2012,opposed the November 2013 elections, and is not represented in the current Constituent Assembly a variety of groups advocating regional autonomy such as the Federal State Limbuwan Council in far eastern Nepal

other

a variety of groups advocating regional autonomy such as the Federal State Limbuwan Council in far eastern Nepal

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$3.3 billion $3.9 billion (FY12/13)

expenditures

$3.9 billion (FY12/13)

revenues

$3.3 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.1% of GDP (FY12/13)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9% (31 December 2013 est.) 8% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

$648 million (2013 est.) $283.9 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$3.956 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 about one-quarter of its population living below the poverty line. Nepal is heavily dependent on remittances, which amount to as much as 22-25% of GDP. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for more than 70% 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 commercially feasible capacity, but political uncertainty and a difficult business climate have hampered foreign investment. Additional challenges to Nepal's growth include its landlocked geographic location, persistent power shortages, underdeveloped transportation infrastructure, civil strife and labor unrest, and its susceptibility to natural disaster. The lack of political consensus in the past several years has delayed national budgets and prevented much-needed economic reform, although the government passed a full budget in 2013.

Exchange rates

Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar - 87.96 (2013 est.) 85.2 (2012 est.) 73.16 (2010 est.) 77.44 (2009) 65.21 (2008)

Exports

$1.06 billion (2013 est.) $1.004 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

India 93.9%, Bangladesh 4%, Italy 0.4% (2013 est.)

Fiscal year

16 July - 15 July

GDP - composition, by end use

81.2% 10% 21.6% 14.6% 10.3% -37.7% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

10.3%

government consumption

10%

household consumption

81.2%

imports of goods and services

-37.7%

investment in fixed capital

21.6%

investment in inventories

14.6%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

36.8% 14.5% 48.7% (2013 est.)

agriculture

36.8%

industry

14.5%

services

48.7% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,500 (2013 est.) $1,500 (2012 est.) $1,400 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.6% (2013 est.) 4.9% (2012 est.) 3.4% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$19.34 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$42.06 billion (2013 est.) $40.57 billion (2012 est.) $38.7 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.2% 29.5% (2011)

highest 10%

29.5% (2011)

lowest 10%

3.2%

Imports

$6.329 billion (2013 est.) $5.951 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

India 79.4%, South Korea 3.1%, China 2.5% (2013 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2013 est.)

Industries

tourism, carpets, textiles; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarettes, cement and brick production

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

NA% (2013 est.) 9.5% (2012 est.)

Labor force

16 million severe lack of skilled labor (2011 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

75% 7% 18% (2010 est.)

agriculture

75%

industry

7%

services

18% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.16 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.849 billion (31 December 2011) $5.235 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

25.2% (2011 est.)

Public debt

28% of GDP (FY11/12)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$6.574 billion (15 January 2014 est.) $5.833 billion (15 July 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$11.49 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $11.71 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$103 million

Stock of domestic credit

$13.46 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $11.88 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.553 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.104 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

17.1% of GDP (FY12/13)

Unemployment rate

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

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3.173 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

2.745 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

30 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

7.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

92.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

694 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

721,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

3.431 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

18,430 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

21,960 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 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) (2011)

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) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

834,000 (2013)

Telephones - mobile cellular

18.138 million (2013)

Airports

47 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

6

over 3,047 m

1

total

11

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

29 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

6

total

36

Railways

59 km 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2008)

total

59 km

Roadways

10,844 km 4,952 km 5,892 km (2010)

total

10,844 km

unpaved

5,892 km (2010)

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 (2012)

Military expenditures

NA% (2012) 1.41% of GDP (2011) NA% (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2014)

Disputes - international

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; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents and illegal cross-border activities

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

15,0000-20,000 (Tibet/China) (2013); 29,813 (Bhutan) (2014) up to 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) (2013) 800,000 (2011); note - in 2007-2008 the government distributed 2.6 million citizenship certificates to the 3.4 million people without one; the remaining 800,000 without citizenship certificates are not necessarily stateless, and the UNHCR is working with the Nepali Government to clarify their situation; lesser numbers of Bhutanese Hindu refugees of Nepali origin (the Lhotsampa) who were stripped of Bhutanese nationality and forced to flee their country in the late 1980s and early 1990s - and undocumented Tibetan refugees who arrived in Nepal prior to the 1990s - are considered stateless

IDPs

up to 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) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

15,0000-20,000 (Tibet/China) (2013); 29,813 (Bhutan) (2014)

stateless persons

800,000 (2011); note - in 2007-2008 the government distributed 2.6 million citizenship certificates to the 3.4 million people without one; the remaining 800,000 without citizenship certificates are not necessarily stateless, and the UNHCR is working with the Nepali Government to clarify their situation; lesser numbers of Bhutanese Hindu refugees of Nepali origin (the Lhotsampa) who were stripped of Bhutanese nationality and forced to flee their country in the late 1980s and early 1990s - and undocumented Tibetan refugees who arrived in Nepal prior to the 1990s - are considered stateless