Country Profile: Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked country situated between China and India in Southern Asia. Known for its stunning mountainous terrain, including Mount Everest, it is home to a diverse population of approximately 31 million people, predominantly of Hindu faith. The economy is characterized as low-income, with significant reliance on agriculture, remittances, and tourism, despite facing challenges from political instability and environmental vulnerabilities. Governed as a federal parliamentary republic, Nepal has navigated a tumultuous political landscape in its recent history, transitioning from a monarchy to a democratic republic in 2008.

Geography

Nepal's geographic coordinates place it at 28°N and 84°E, spanning an area of 147,181 sq km. It is bordered by China to the north and India to the south, east, and west, with a rugged mountainous terrain that includes eight of the world's ten highest peaks. The climate varies from cool summers and severe winters in the north to subtropical conditions in the south.

147,181 sq km: Total area
3,159 km: Total land boundaries
8,849 m: Height of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth
43.5%: Percentage of land designated as forest (2023 estimate)
26.1%: Agricultural land as a percentage of total land (2023 estimate)

People and Society

As of 2025, the estimated population of Nepal is 31,334,402, with a median age of 28.1 years. The society is culturally rich and diverse, with ethnic groups including Chhettri, Brahman-Hill, and Magar. The official language is Nepali, while Hinduism is the predominant religion, followed by Buddhism and Islam.

81.2%: Percentage of the population that identifies as Hindu
25.8%: Population aged 0-14 years (2025 estimate)
21.9%: Urban population percentage (2023)
16.66 births/1,000 population: Birth rate (2025 estimate)
73 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate)

Economy

Nepal's economy is classified as low-income and remains heavily reliant on agriculture, which constitutes 21.9% of its GDP. The country has been striving for fiscal stability post-conflict, but it continues to face challenges such as widening current account deficits and vulnerability to environmental disasters.

$149.643 billion: Real GDP (PPP) projected for 2024
10.8%: Unemployment rate (2024 estimate)
20.3%: Population living below the poverty line (2022 estimate)
33.1%: Remittances as a percentage of GDP (2024 estimate)
1.3%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 estimate)

Government

Nepal is a federal parliamentary republic, with Kathmandu as its capital and the seat of government. The current president is Ram Chandra Poudel, elected in March 2023, while the Prime Minister is Sushila Karki. The system is characterized by a bicameral legislature and an evolving democratic framework that has been shaped by historical upheavals.

7: Number of administrative provinces
18 years: Minimum voting age
Constitution effective since: September 20, 2015
275: Total seats in the House of Representatives
37.3%: Percentage of women in the National Assembly (2024)

Military and Security

The Nepalese Armed Forces encompass the Nepali Army and various police units responsible for internal security and counterterrorism operations. Military expenditure has been relatively steady, accounting for 1% of GDP, while the country participates in international peacekeeping efforts.

95,000: Active personnel in the Armed Forces (2025)
1%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 estimate)
1,240: Troops deployed in the Central African Republic (2025)
0.3%: Military service age for voluntary service (18 years and up)

Energy

Nepal's energy sector is predominantly reliant on hydroelectric power, which constitutes 99% of its installed capacity. The country has made significant strides in increasing electricity access, with 91.3% of the population connected to the grid as of 2022.

2.853 million kW: Total installed generating capacity (2023 estimate)
9.806 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023 estimate)
1.1 billion kWh: Electricity exported (2023 estimate)
71,000 bbl/day: Refined petroleum consumption (2023 estimate)

Environment

Nepal faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water contamination. The government is a signatory to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity.

43.5%: Forest area as a percentage of total land (2023)
11.357 million metric tonnes: CO2 emissions (2023 estimate)
1.769 million tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 estimate)
210.2 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 estimate)

Transportation

Nepal's transportation infrastructure includes 51 airports and 59 km of railway, primarily serving the domestic needs of a geographically diverse landscape. Air travel is critical for connectivity, especially to remote regions.

51: Total airports (2025 estimate)
14: Total heliports (2025 estimate)
59 km: Total railway length (2018)

Communications

The communication sector in Nepal has been expanding, with 56% of the population having access to the Internet as of 2023. The country has a growing telecommunication network, including mobile and broadband services.

29.6 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 estimate)
726,000: Fixed-line subscriptions (2021 estimate)
1.44 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022 estimate)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	31,334,402	Estimated for 2025
Area	147,181 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$149.643 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	6.604 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Birth Rate	16.66 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2025
Unemployment Rate	10.8%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy at Birth	73 years	Estimated for 2024