2016 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2016 Archive (HTML)

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Countries

268

Data Records

71,560

Nepal

2016 Edition · 321 data fields

View Current Profile

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 Nepalese 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 Gurkas 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. The ensuing 10-year civil war between Maoist and government forces witnessed the dissolution of the cabinet and parliament and the re-assumption of absolute power by the king in 2002. 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 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 the Nepali Congress won the largest share of seats in the CA and in February 2014 formed a coalition government with the second place Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist and with Nepali Congress President Sushil KOIRALA as prime minister. Nepal's new constitution came into effect in September 2015.

Geography

Area

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

2,565 m lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (highest peak in Asia and highest point on earth above sea level)
elevation extremes: lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m
highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m (highest peak in Asia and highest point on earth above sea level)
mean elevation: 2,565 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

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 mountains - on the borders with China and India respectively

Irrigated land

13,320 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

3,159 km China 1,389 km, India 1,770 km
border countries (2): China 1,389 km, India 1,770 km
total: 3,159 km

Land use

28.8% arable land 15.1%; permanent crops 1.2%; permanent pasture 12.5% 25.4% 45.8% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 28.8%
forest: 25.4%
other: 45.8% (2011 est.)

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 with rugged Himalayas in north

People and Society

Age structure

30.93% (male 4,646,048/female 4,333,105) 21.86% (male 3,176,158/female 3,169,721) 35.99% (male 4,707,264/female 5,740,985) 6.22% (male 877,288/female 927,202) 5.02% (male 723,523/female 732,620) (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 30.93% (male 4,646,048/female 4,333,105)
15-24 years: 21.86% (male 3,176,158/female 3,169,721)
25-54 years: 35.99% (male 4,707,264/female 5,740,985)
55-64 years: 6.22% (male 877,288/female 927,202)
65 years and over: 5.02% (male 723,523/female 732,620) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

19.9 births/1,000 population (2016 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

30.1% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

49.7% (2011)

Death rate

5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

61.8% 52.9% 9% 11.1% (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 9%
potential support ratio: 11.1% (2015 est.)
total dependency ratio: 61.8%
youth dependency ratio: 52.9%

Drinking water source

urban: 90.9% of population rural: 91.8% of population total: 91.6% of population urban: 9.1% of population rural: 8.2% of population total: 8.4% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 8.2% of population
total: 8.4% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 9.1% of population

Education expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2014)

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.)
note: 125 caste/ethnic groups were reported in the 2011 national census (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.21% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

2,300 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

39,400 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

5 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

28.9 deaths/1,000 live births 30.2 deaths/1,000 live births 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
female: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
male: 30.2 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 28.9 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.)
note: 123 languages reported as mother tongue in 2011 national census; many in government and business also speak English (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

70.7 years 70.1 years 71.3 years (2016 est.)
female: 71.3 years (2016 est.)
male: 70.1 years
total population: 70.7 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 63.9% 76.4% 53.1% (2015 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
female: 53.1% (2015 est.)
male: 76.4%
total population: 63.9%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever (2016)
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 (2016)

Major urban areas - population

KATHMANDU (capital) 1.183 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

258 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

23.6 years 22.4 years 24.8 years (2016 est.)
female: 24.8 years (2016 est.)
male: 22.4 years
total: 23.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

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

-1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

2.9% (2014)

Population

29,033,914 (July 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

1.24% (2016 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: 56% of population rural: 43.5% of population total: 45.8% of population urban: 44% of population rural: 56.5% of population total: 54.2% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 56.5% of population
total: 54.2% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 44% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 12 years 13 years (2013)
female: 13 years (2013)
male: 12 years
total: 12 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.82 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.18 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

3.5% 4.2% 2.9% (2008 est.)
female: 2.9% (2008 est.)
male: 4.2%
total: 3.5%

Urbanization

18.6% of total population (2015) 3.18% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
rate of urbanization: 3.18% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
urban population: 18.6% of total population (2015)

Government

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)

Citizenship

yes yes no 15 years
citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 20 September 2015; amended January 2016

Country name

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Nepal Sanghiya Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal Nepal 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
conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
conventional 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
local long form: Sanghiya Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal
local short form: Nepal

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Alaina B. TEPLITZ (since 7 October 2015) Maharajgunj, Kathmandu use embassy street address [977] (1) 423-4000 [977] (1) 400-7272
chief of mission: Ambassador Alaina B. TEPLITZ (since 7 October 2015)
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 Arjun Kumar KARKI (since 18 May 2015) 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 667-4550 [1] (202) 667-5534 Cleveland (OH), New York
chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
chief of mission: Ambassador Arjun Kumar KARKI (since 18 May 2015)
consulate(s) general: Cleveland (OH), New York
FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534
telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550

Executive branch

President Bidhya Devi BHANDARI (since 29 October 2015); Vice President Nanda Bahadar PUN (since 31 October 2015) Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (since 4 August 2016); note - Prime Minister Khadga Prasad OLI resigned on 24 July 2016 Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister; cabinet dominated by the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist president indirectly elected by the Constituency Assembly; term extends until the new constitution is promulgated; president elected on 29 October 2015 (next election NA); prime minister indirectly elected by the Constituent Assembly Bidhya Devi BHANDARI elected president; Constituent Assembly vote count - Bidhya Devi BHANDARI (CPN-UML) 327, Kul Bahadur GURUNG (NC) 214; BHANDARI is Nepal's first woman president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister; cabinet dominated by the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist
chief of state: President Bidhya Devi BHANDARI (since 29 October 2015); Vice President Nanda Bahadar PUN (since 31 October 2015)
election results: Bidhya Devi BHANDARI elected president; Constituent Assembly vote count - Bidhya Devi BHANDARI (CPN-UML) 327, Kul Bahadur GURUNG (NC) 214; BHANDARI is Nepal's first woman president
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Constituency Assembly; term extends until the new constitution is promulgated; president elected on 29 October 2015 (next election NA); prime minister indirectly elected by the Constituent Assembly
head of government: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (since 4 August 2016); note - Prime Minister Khadga Prasad OLI resigned on 24 July 2016

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

Government type

federal parliamentary 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 (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, 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) the Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council; other judges appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the Judicial Council; judges serve until age 65 Court of Appeal; district courts Nepal's judiciary was restructured under its 2007 Interim Constitution
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 appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the Judicial Council; judges serve until age 65
note: Nepal's judiciary was restructured under its 2007 Interim Constitution
subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; district courts

Legal system

English common law and Hindu legal concepts

Legislative branch

unicameral Constituent Assembly or Sambidhan Sabha (601 seats; 240 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 335 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation (PR) vote and 26 appointed by the cabinet (Council of Ministers); note - political parties allocated more than 30 percent of the PR seats are obliged to follow specified quotas for ethnic groups and within them equal percentages of men and women 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 28%; seats by party - NC 196, CPN-UML 175, UCPN(M) 80, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal 24, other smaller parties 100
description: unicameral Constituent Assembly or Sambidhan Sabha (601 seats; 240 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 335 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation (PR) vote and 26 appointed by the cabinet (Council of Ministers); note - political parties allocated more than 30 percent of the PR seats are obliged to follow specified quotas for ethnic groups and within them equal percentages of men and women
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 28%; seats by party - NC 196, CPN-UML 175, UCPN(M) 80, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal 24, other smaller parties 100
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)
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 holiday

Republic Day, 28 May (2008), the abdication of Gyanendra SHAH, last Nepalese monarch, and the establishment of a federal republic

National symbol(s)

rhododendron blossom; national color: red
rhododendron blossom; national color: red

Political parties and leaders

122 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 or CPN-ML [C.P. MAINALI] Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist or CPN-UML [Jhala Nath KHANAL] Communist Party of Nepal (United) or CPN (United) [Jaydev JOSHI] Dalit Janajati Party [Bishwendra PASHWAN] Federal Socialist Party [Ashok RAI] Jana Jagaran Party Nepal (Awareness 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 Madhesh Samata Party Nepal [Meghraj SAHANI] National Madhes Socialist Party [Sharat Singh BHANDARI] Nepal Rastriya Party [Keshav Man SHAKYA] Nepal Pariwar Dal [Ek Nath DHAKAL] Nepal Workers and Peasants Party [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE] Nepali Congress or NC [Sushil KOIRALA] Nepali Janata Dal [Hari Charan SHAH] Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal [Chitra Bahadur K.C.] Rastriya Janamukti Party [Malwar Singh THAPA] Rastriya Prajatantra Party Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal [Kamal THAPA] Sadbhavana Party [Rajendra MAHATO] Samajbadi Prajatanytrik Janata Party Nepal [Prem Bahadur SINGH] Sanghiya Sadbhavana Party [Anil Kumar JHA] Sanghiye Loktantrik Rastriya Manch [Rukmini CHAUDHARY] Terai Madhesh Democratic Party [Mahantha THAKUR] Terai-Madhesh 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 Comrade PRACHANDA]
note: 122 political parties participated in the 19 November 2013 election and the 30 parties listed below were elected to serve in the Constituent Assembly

Political pressure groups and leaders

various groups advocating regional autonomy such as the Federal State Limbuwan Council in far eastern Nepal
other: various groups advocating regional autonomy such as the Federal State Limbuwan Council in far eastern Nepal

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$4.394 billion $4.179 billion (2015 est.)
expenditures: $4.179 billion (2015 est.)
revenues: $4.394 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

8% (31 July 2015) 8% (31 July 2014)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.8% (31 December 2015 est.) 10.6% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

$1.067 billion (2015 est.) $908 million (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$4.609 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $4.01 billion (31 December 2014 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 29% of GDP. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for almost 70% of the population and accounting for about 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. Nepal and India signed trade and investment agreements in 2014 that increase Nepal’s hydropower potential, but political uncertainty and a difficult business climate have hampered foreign investment. Nepal was hit by massive earthquakes in early 2015, which damaged or destroyed infrastructure and homes and set back economic development. Political gridlock in the past several years and recent public protests, predominantly in the southern Tarai region, have hindered post-earthquake recovery and prevented much-needed economic reform. Additional challenges to Nepal's growth include its landlocked geographic location, persistent power shortages, and underdeveloped transportation infrastructure.

Exchange rates

Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar - 102.405 (2015 est.) 97.55 (2014 est.) 99.53 (2013 est.) 85.2 (2012 est.) 74.02 (2011 est.)

Exports

$813.1 million (2015 est.) $1.022 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

India 61.3%, US 9.4% (2015)

Fiscal year

16 July - 15 July

GDP - composition, by end use

78.4% 11% 27.7% 12.9% 11.7% -41.7% (2015 est.)
exports of goods and services: 11.7%
government consumption: 11%
household consumption: 78.4%
imports of goods and services: -41.7% (2015 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 27.7%
investment in inventories: 12.9%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

29.4% 13.8% 49.4% (2015 est.)
agriculture: 29.4%
industry: 13.8%
services: 49.4% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,500 (2015 est.) $2,400 (2014 est.) $2,300 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
note: data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.4% (2015 est.) 5.4% (2014 est.) 4.1% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$21.36 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$70.09 billion (2015 est.) $67.81 billion (2014 est.) $64.35 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
note: data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

50.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 36.3% of GDP (2014 est.) 38.9% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.2% 29.5% (2011)
highest 10%: 29.5% (2011)
lowest 10%: 3.2%

Imports

$6.511 billion (2015 est.) $7.581 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

India 61.5%, China 15.4% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.9% (2015 est.) 8.4% (2014 est.)

Labor force

15.2 million severe lack of skilled labor (2013 est.)
note: severe lack of skilled labor (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

69% 12% 19% (2014 est.)
agriculture: 69%
industry: 12%
services: 19% (2014 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$11.81 billion (31 October 2015 est.) $9.574 billion (31 October 2014 est.) $5.235 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

25.2% (2011 est.)

Public debt

30% of GDP (FY 2012/13 est.) 32% of GDP (2013 est.) (FY11/12)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.945 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $6.034 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$17.83 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $16.36 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$103 million (31 July 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$14.92 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $13.97 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.762 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $3.567 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

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

5.547 million 17.6% (July 2015 est.)
percent of population: 17.6% (July 2015 est.)
total: 5.547 million

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) (2015)
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) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

846,940 3 (July 2015 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (July 2015 est.)
total subscriptions: 846,940

Telephones - mobile cellular

27.516 million 87 (July 2015 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 87 (July 2015 est.)
total: 27.516 million

Transportation

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
under 914 m: 29 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9N (2016)

National air transport system

510,341 4,536,371 mt-km (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4,536,371 mt-km (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 510,341
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 15
number of registered air carriers: 4

Railways

53 km 53 km 0.762-m gauge (2014)
narrow gauge: 53 km 0.762-m gauge (2014)
total: 53 km

Roadways

10,844 km 4,952 km 5,892 km (2010)
paved: 4,952 km
total: 10,844 km
unpaved: 5,892 km (2010)

Military and Security

Military branches

Nepal Army (2012)

Military expenditures

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

Military service age and obligation

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

Transnational Issues

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

15,000 (Tibet/China) (2015); just over 14,000 (Bhutan) (2016) 40,700 (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; 2015 earthquakes) (2015) undetermined (2015); note - the UNHCR is working with the Nepali Government to address the large number of individuals lacking citizenship certificates in Nepal; smaller 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: 40,700 (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; 2015 earthquakes) (2015)
refugees (country of origin): 15,000 (Tibet/China) (2015); just over 14,000 (Bhutan) (2016)
stateless persons: undetermined (2015); note - the UNHCR is working with the Nepali Government to address the large number of individuals lacking citizenship certificates in Nepal; smaller 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