Quick facts
Nepal population overview
Nepal is the 20th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 29,608,888 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.1% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 113 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 541,843 births (18.3 per 1,000 people) and 207,262 deaths (7 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 293,128 people. The infant mortality rate is 18.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 10,123,658 in 1960 to 29,618,118 in 2025 — a change of +192.6%, or +1.7% per year on average. It peaked at 29,715,436 in 2022 and has declined 0.2% since.
Demographically, the median age is 25.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 71.2 years; women have on average 2 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 28.1% of residents are under 15 and 6.6% are 65 or older (2025); 67% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Kathmandu. Nepal covers 147,180 km², giving a population density of about 201 people per km². GDP was $45.49B in 2025 — about $1,536 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Nepal population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) #52 of 238 → | 29,642,067 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 29,608,888 |
| World rank | #52 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #20 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.4% |
| Annual growth rate #166 of 238 → | +0.1% |
| Births per year est. | 541,843 |
| Deaths per year est. | 207,262 |
| Net migration per year est. · #230 of 238 → | -293,128 |
| Birth rate #80 of 216 → | 18.3 per 1,000 |
| Death rate #123 of 216 → | 7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality #64 of 238 → | 18.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio #215 of 238 → | 90.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age #164 of 238 → | 25.7 years |
| Life expectancy #149 of 216 → | 71.2 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 · #106 of 216 → | 2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 · #99 of 216 → | 67% |
| Surface area 2023 · #94 of 215 → | 147,180 km² |
| Population density #61 of 215 → | 201 per km² |
| Capital | Kathmandu |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 · #104 of 212 → | $45.49B |
| GDP per capita 2025 · #182 of 212 → | $1,536 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Nepal population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 29,642,067 | – | – |
| 2025 | 29,618,118 | -32,936 | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 29,651,054 | -43,560 | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 29,694,614 | -20,822 | -0.1% |
| 2022 | 29,715,436 | +240,426 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 29,475,010 | +508,436 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 28,966,574 | +1,142,945 | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 27,823,629 | +481,677 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 27,341,952 | +1,032,494 | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 26,309,458 | +1,762,949 | +1.4% |
| 2000 | 24,546,509 | +2,301,070 | +2% |
| 1995 | 22,245,439 | +2,720,866 | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 19,524,573 | +2,046,881 | +2.2% |
| 1985 | 17,477,692 | +1,924,587 | +2.4% |
| 1980 | 15,553,105 | +1,682,410 | +2.3% |
| 1975 | 13,870,695 | +1,434,505 | +2.2% |
| 1970 | 12,436,190 | +1,262,779 | +2.2% |
| 1965 | 11,173,411 | +1,049,753 | +2% |
| 1960 | 10,123,658 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
Largest cities in Nepal
| # | City | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu Capital | 1,442,271 | 4.9% |
| 2 | Pokhara | 600,051 | 2% |
| 3 | Bharatpur | 369,377 | 1.2% |
| 4 | Pātan | 299,283 | 1% |
| 5 | Birgañj | 268,273 | 0.9% |
| 6 | Biratnagar | 244,750 | 0.8% |
| 7 | Dhangaḍhi̇̄ | 204,788 | 0.7% |
| 8 | Hetauda | 195,951 | 0.7% |
Kathmandu is the largest city with 1,442,271 people and is also the capital. City figures are the latest official estimates for the city proper, so shares are approximate. Full list of Nepal cities →
About Nepal
Population over time
- From 10,123,658 in 1960 to 29,642,067 today — up 192.8%.
- Population peaked at 29,715,436 in 2022 and is down 0.2% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.6% per year.
- World rank: Population #52 of 238 · Population growth rate #166 of 238.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 70.6 years (2024), up 32 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
- World rank: Life expectancy #149 of 216 · Fertility rate #106 of 216.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 19 births vs 7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 12 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
- World rank: Birth rate #80 of 216 · Death rate #123 of 216.
Age structure
- 28.1% of the population is under 15 and 6.6% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
- World rank: Population under 15 #81 of 216 · Population aged 65+ #132 of 216 · Median age #164 of 238.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 15.89 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 17.38 Mt in 2021 — down 8.6% since.
- Per person: 0.54 t in 2024, vs 0.03 t in 1970.
- World rank: CO₂ emissions #94 of 203 · CO₂ emissions per capita #160 of 203.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 442.6 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 49.3% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 73.7% of final energy in 2021 (-21.4 points since 1990).
- World rank: Energy use per capita #126 of 150 · Renewable energy share #24 of 212.
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 41.6% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 39.7% to 41.6% since 1990 — roughly 2,835 km² of forest gained.
- World rank: Forest area #73 of 213.
Urban population (% of total)
- 67% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 3.5% in 1960 (+63.5 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2007.
- World rank: Urban population #99 of 216.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 4.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 6,670 m³ in 2022, down 65.3% since 1961.
- World rank: Freshwater resources per capita #59 of 183 · Water stress #106 of 177.
Economy
- GDP: $45.49B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 86.7% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,536 per person.
- World rank: GDP #104 of 212 · GDP per capita #182 of 212.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 10.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.7% in 2025.
- World rank: Unemployment rate #36 of 186 · Inflation rate #105 of 191.
Internet & mobile
- 46.3% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 99.8 per 100 people (2024).
- World rank: Internet users #164 of 209 · Mobile subscriptions #138 of 210.
Nepal in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Nepal in 2026?
As of October 2026, Nepal has an estimated population of 29,642,067. The United Nations estimated 29,608,888 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Nepal growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.1% per year — roughly 113 more people every day. Each year there are about 541,843 births and 207,262 deaths, with net migration of -293,128.
What is the population density of Nepal?
About 201 people per square kilometre: 29,642,067 people living on 147,180 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Nepal?
The median age is 25.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 71.2 years. 28.1% of the population is under 15 and 6.6% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Nepal rank by population?
Nepal is the 52nd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 20th in Asia, with 0.4% of the global population.
How has the population of Nepal changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 10,123,658; by 2025 it had grown to 29,618,118 (+192.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Glostats. (2026). Nepal Population 2026 — Live Counter. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/country/nepal/<a href="https://glostats.com/country/nepal/">Nepal Population 2026 — Live Counter</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
Sources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.