2017 Edition

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 Gurkhas 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, at which point the CA became the Legislature Parliament. Khagda Prasad Sharma OLI served as the first post-constitution prime minister from October 2015-August 2016, when a new coalition led by Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (aka “Prachanda”) took over the premiership. The constitution provides for a transitional period during which three sets of elections – local, provincial, and national – must take place before 21 January 2018. The government scheduled local elections, the first in 20 years, for May 2017.

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 New York state

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 8,848 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 8,848 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

Population - distribution

most of the population is divided nearly equally between a concentration in the southern-most plains of the Tarai region and the central hilly region; overall density is quite low

Terrain

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

Age structure

30.2% (male 4,610,861/female 4,264,580) 21.73% (male 3,220,431/female 3,164,292) 36.58% (male 4,847,427/female 5,900,442) 6.32% (male 897,999/female 959,405) 5.17% (male 753,771/female 765,089) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

30.2% (male 4,610,861/female 4,264,580)

15-24 years

21.73% (male 3,220,431/female 3,164,292)

25-54 years

36.58% (male 4,847,427/female 5,900,442)

55-64 years

6.32% (male 897,999/female 959,405)

65 years and over

5.17% (male 753,771/female 765,089) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

19.5 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

30.1% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

49.6% (2014)

Death rate

5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

61.4 52.5 8.8 11.3 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

8.8

potential support ratio

11.3 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

61.4

youth dependency ratio

52.5

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

3.7% of GDP (2015)

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

0.2% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,700 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

32,000 (2016 est.)

Infant mortality rate

27.9 deaths/1,000 live births 29.2 deaths/1,000 live births 26.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

26.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

29.2 deaths/1,000 live births

total

27.9 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

71 years 70.4 years 71.6 years (2017 est.)

female

71.6 years (2017 est.)

male

70.4 years

total population

71 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

24.1 years 22.8 years 25.3 years (2017 est.)

female

25.3 years (2017 est.)

male

22.8 years

total

24.1 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.1 years 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

-2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.1% (2016)

Population

29,384,297 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most of the population is divided nearly equally between a concentration in the southern-most plains of the Tarai region and the central hilly region; overall density is quite low

Population growth rate

1.16% (2017 est.)

Religions

Hindu 81.3%, Buddhist 9%, Muslim 4.4%, Kirant 3.1%, Christian 1.4%, other 0.5%, unspecified 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 (2015)

female

13 years (2015)

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

2.12 children born/woman (2017 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

19.4% of total population (2017) 3.08% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.08% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

19.4% of total population (2017)

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 proposed as a “bill” by either house of the Federal Parliament; bills affecting a state border or powers delegated to a state must be submitted to the affected state assembly; passage of such bills requires a majority vote of that state assembly membership; bills not requiring state assembly consent require at least two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of the Federal Parliament; parts of the constitution on the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty vested in the people cannot be amended; amended January 2016 (2017)

amendments

proposed as a “bill” by either house of the Federal Parliament; bills affecting a state border or powers delegated to a state must be submitted to the affected state assembly; passage of such bills requires a majority vote of that state assembly membership; bills not requiring state assembly consent require at least two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of the Federal Parliament; parts of the constitution on the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty vested in the people cannot be amended; amended January 2016 (2017)

history

several previous; latest adopted 20 September 2015

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 Sher Bahadur DEUBA; Deputy Prime Ministers Bijay Kumar GACHHADAR, Krishna Bahadur MAHARA, Gopal Man SHRESTHA; note - Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal DAHAL resigned on 25 May 2017 as part of a rotational power-sharing arrangement between the CPN-MC and NC Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister; cabinet dominated by the CPN-MC and the NC president indirectly elected by an electoral college of the Federal Parliament and of the state assemblies for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister indirectly elected by the Federal Parliament Bidhya Devi BHANDARI elected president; Constituent Assembly vote - 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 CPN-MC and the NC

election results

Bidhya Devi BHANDARI elected president; Constituent Assembly vote - Bidhya Devi BHANDARI (CPN-UML) 327, Kul Bahadur GURUNG (NC) 214; BHANDARI is Nepal's first woman president

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by an electoral college of the Federal Parliament and of the state assemblies for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister indirectly elected by the Federal Parliament

head of government

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur DEUBA; Deputy Prime Ministers Bijay Kumar GACHHADAR, Krishna Bahadur MAHARA, Gopal Man SHRESTHA; note - Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal DAHAL resigned on 25 May 2017 as part of a rotational power-sharing arrangement between the CPN-MC and NC

head of state

President Bidhya Devi BHANDARI (since 29 October 2015); Vice President Nanda Bahadar PUN (since 31 October 2015)

Flag description

crimson 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 20 judges) the Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, a 5-member,high-level advisory body headed by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Council, a 5-member advisory body headed by the chief justice; the chief justice term of office is 6 years; judges serve until age 65 High Court; 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 20 judges)

judge selection and term of office

the Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, a 5-member,high-level advisory body headed by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Council, a 5-member advisory body headed by the chief justice; the chief justice term of office is 6 years; judges serve until age 65

note

Nepal's judiciary was restructured under its 2007 Interim Constitution

subordinate courts

High Court; Court of Appeal; district courts

Legal system

English common law and Hindu legal concepts

Legislative branch

bicameral Federal Parliament (per the new constitution but not implemented as of March 2017) consists of the National Assembly (59 seats; 56 members, including at least 3 women, 1 Dalit, 1 member with disabilities, or 1 minority indirectly elected by an electoral college of state and municipal government leaders, and 3 members, including 1 woman, nominated by the president of Nepal on the recommendation of the Government; members serve 6-year terms with renewal of one-third of the membership every 2 years) and the House of Representatives (275 seats; 165 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 110 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) last held for the second Constituent Assembly on 19 November 2013 (first election for the Federal Parliament to be held 26 November 2017) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NC 196, CPN-UML 175, CPN-MC 80, Madhesi parties 42, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal 24, RPP 13, Sadhavanna Party 6, CPN-ML 5, Federal Socialist Party 5, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party 4, other 49, independent 2

description

bicameral Federal Parliament (per the new constitution but not implemented as of March 2017) consists of the National Assembly (59 seats; 56 members, including at least 3 women, 1 Dalit, 1 member with disabilities, or 1 minority indirectly elected by an electoral college of state and municipal government leaders, and 3 members, including 1 woman, nominated by the president of Nepal on the recommendation of the Government; members serve 6-year terms with renewal of one-third of the membership every 2 years) and the House of Representatives (275 seats; 165 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 110 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NC 196, CPN-UML 175, CPN-MC 80, Madhesi parties 42, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal 24, RPP 13, Sadhavanna Party 6, CPN-ML 5, Federal Socialist Party 5, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party 4, other 49, independent 2

elections

last held for the second Constituent Assembly on 19 November 2013 (first election for the Federal Parliament to be held 26 November 2017)

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); note - marks the abdication of Gyanendra SHAH, the 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

164 political parties are registered with the Election Commission of Nepal as of early 2017; 122 political parties participated in the 19 November 2013 election and the 30 parties listed below were elected to serve in the Constituent Assembly; however only 26 of the 30 are considered "national" parties Akhanda Nepal Party [Kumar KHADKA] Bahujan Shakti Party [Bishwendra PASHWAN] Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) or CPN-MC [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, also known as Comrade PRACHANDA] Communist Party of Nepal-Marxist Leninist or CPN-ML [C.P. MAINALI] Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist or CPN-UML [Khadga Prasad Sharma OLI] Communist Party of Nepal (United) or CPN (United) [Jaydev JOSHI] Dalit Janajati Party Nepal [Yashoda Kumari LAMA] Federal Limbuwan State Council or FLSC [Kumar LINGDEN] Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal [Upendra YADAV] 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-Republican [Raj Kishore YADAV] Madhesh 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 or NC [Bahadur DEUBA] Nepali Janata Dal [Hari Charan SHAH] Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal [Chitra Bahadur K.C.] Rastriya Janamukti Party [Malwar Singh THAPA] Rastriya Prajatantra Party or RPP [Kamal THAPA] Sadhbhawana Party [Rajendra MAHATO] Samajwadi Janata Party [Prem Bahadur SINGH] Sanghiya Sadbhavana Party [Anil Kumar JHA] Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch [Rukmini CHAUDHARY] Terai Madhesh Democratic Party [Mahantha THAKUR] Terai-Madhesh Sadbhavana Party-Nepal [Mahendra YADAV] Tharuhat Terai Party Nepal [Bhanuram CHAUDARY]

note

164 political parties are registered with the Election Commission of Nepal as of early 2017; 122 political parties participated in the 19 November 2013 election and the 30 parties listed below were elected to serve in the Constituent Assembly; however only 26 of the 30 are considered "national" parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Tharu Kalyankari Sabha (Tharus rights advocacy group)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$4.886 billion $4.592 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$4.592 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$4.886 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.4% of GDP (FY2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

7% (30 October 2016) 7% (30 October 2015)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.9% (31 December 2016 est.) 9.6% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$1.339 billion (2016 est.) $2.447 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$4.321 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $4.155 billion (31 December 2015 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 30% of GDP. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for almost two-thirds of the population but accounting for only 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 - 107.384 (2016 est.) 107.38 (2015 est.) 102.41 (2014 est.) 99.53 (2013 est.) 85.2 (2012 est.)

Exports

$761.6 million (2016 est.) $813.1 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

India 56.6%, US 11.5%, Turkey 4% (2016)

Fiscal year

16 July - 15 July

GDP - composition, by end use

82.8% 11.6% 28.8% 6.7% 9.5% -39.4% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

9.5%

government consumption

11.6%

household consumption

82.8%

imports of goods and services

-39.4% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

28.8%

investment in inventories

6.7%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

29.2% 13.1% 50% (2016 est.)

agriculture

29.2%

industry

13.1%

services

50% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,500 (2016 est.) $2,500 (2015 est.) $2,500 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.4% (2016 est.) 3.3% (2015 est.) 6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$21.14 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$71.82 billion (2016 est.) $70.62 billion (2015 est.) $67.62 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

40% of GDP (2016 est.) 44% of GDP (2015 est.) 45.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.2% 29.5% (2011)

highest 10%

29.5% (2011)

lowest 10%

3.2%

Imports

$8.757 billion (2016 est.) $6.511 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

India 70.1%, China 10.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-6.3% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.9% (2016 est.) 7.9% (2015 est.)

Labor force

15.6 million severe lack of skilled labor (2014 est.)

note

severe lack of skilled labor (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

69% 12% 19% (2014 est.)

agriculture

69%

industry

12%

services

19% (2014 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$14.03 billion (30 April 2016 est.) $11.81 billion (31 October 2015 est.) $9.574 billion (31 October 2014 est.)

Population below poverty line

25.2% (2011 est.)

Public debt

27.3% of GDP (2016 est.) 25.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$8.506 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $7.945 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$22.19 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $18.99 billion (31 December 2015 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

$17.98 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $14.92 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.871 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $4.762 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.1% of GDP (FY2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.3% (2013 est.) 2.7% (2008 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

4.2 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

2.016 million bbl/day (1)

Crude oil - imports

2.016 million bbl/day (1)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

3.746 billion kWh (FY 2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

3.25 million kWh (FY 2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

6.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

89.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.758 billion kWh (FY 2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

838,100 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

3.342 billion kWh (FY 2016 est.)

Electricity access

6,600,000 76% 97% 72% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

72% (2013)

electrification - total population

76%

electrification - urban areas

97%

population without electricity

6,600,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

32,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

30,590 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

state operates 3 TV stations, as well as national and regional radio stations; 88 independent TV channels are registered with only 25 in regular operation; 672 FM radio stations are licensed with 588 operational (2016)

Internet country code

.np

Internet users

5,716,419 19.7% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

19.7% (July 2016 est.)

total

5,716,419

Telephone system

mountainous topography hinders development of telecom infrastructure; fair radiotelephone communication service and mobile-cellular telephone network mobile service has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of Nepal’s land area; disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions country code - 977; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2016)

domestic

mobile service has been extended to all 75 districts covering 90% of Nepal’s land area; disparity between high coverage in cities and coverage available in underdeveloped rural regions

general assessment

mountainous topography hinders development of telecom infrastructure; 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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

858,237 3 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

3 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

858,237

Telephones - mobile cellular

32,120,305 111 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

111 (July 2016 est.)

total

32,120,305

Airports

47 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

6

over 3,047 m

1

total

11

under 914 m

1 (2017)

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

27,990 km 11,890 km 16,100 km (2016)

paved

11,890 km

total

27,990 km

unpaved

16,100 km (2016)

Military branches

Nepal Army (2012)

Military expenditures

1.52% of GDP (2016) 1.54% of GDP (2015) 1.63% of GDP (2014) 1.54% of GDP (2013) 1.43% of GDP (2012)

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 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

13,509 (Tibet/China) (2016); 9,804 (Bhutan) (2017) 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; 2015 earthquakes) (2016) undetermined (2016); 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 Lhotshampa) 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

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; 2015 earthquakes) (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

13,509 (Tibet/China) (2016); 9,804 (Bhutan) (2017)

stateless persons

undetermined (2016); 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 Lhotshampa) 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