Nepal has a population of approximately 31 million people as of 2025, making it the 48th most populous country in the world. Squeezed between the two demographic giants of China and India, this Himalayan nation packs its 31 million residents into a landscape that climbs from subtropical plains to the summit of Mount Everest, producing one of the most varied human geographies anywhere on Earth.
How Many People Live in Nepal?
With roughly 31 million inhabitants, Nepal sits comfortably in the middle of the global population rankings at 48th place. That figure means Nepal has a similar population to countries such as Peru or Morocco, even though it occupies a far smaller and more rugged territory. The population is distributed very unevenly: the flat, fertile Terai plains along the southern border with India hold around half the national population, while the high Himalayan districts in the north are sparsely settled because the terrain and climate make farming and travel difficult. With a national density of around 210 people per square kilometre, Nepal is considerably more crowded than the global average, and that pressure is concentrated in the lowlands and the central valleys.
Population Growth and Migration
Nepal's population is growing at roughly 1.85% per year. While that may sound modest, it still adds hundreds of thousands of people annually and reflects a country that is past its peak growth phase but still expanding. In the early 1990s the growth rate exceeded 2.6%, and the fertility rate stood at around five children per woman. Today fertility has fallen to about 2.1 — right at the replacement level — thanks to rising education, urbanisation, and access to family planning.
The single most defining feature of modern Nepali demographics, however, is emigration. An estimated 4 to 5 million Nepalis work abroad at any given time, mostly young men employed in the Gulf states, Malaysia, and India. This outflow has hollowed out the working-age male population in many rural villages and left women, children, and the elderly to manage households and farms. The flip side is economic: remittances sent home by these workers account for around a quarter of Nepal's GDP, one of the highest ratios in the world. Demographers project the population will rise to roughly 38 million by 2050 before slowing further.
The Largest Cities
Nepal's three biggest cities are Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Lalitpur, all of which lie in the country's central hill region rather than the lowlands.
- Kathmandu — the capital, with about 1.4 million city residents and close to 3 million across the wider Kathmandu Valley. Set in a bowl-shaped basin at 1,400 metres, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas in South Asia and the political, cultural, and economic heart of the nation.
- Pokhara — around 500,000 residents and Nepal's tourism capital. Sitting beside a lake beneath the Annapurna massif, it is the gateway to some of the world's most famous trekking routes.
- Lalitpur (Patan) — about 300,000 residents and effectively contiguous with Kathmandu. It is celebrated for its exquisite medieval Newari architecture, temples, and metalwork traditions.
Rapid rural-to-urban migration means these valley cities are growing far faster than the national average, straining housing, water, and transport infrastructure.
A Strikingly Diverse Society
For its size, Nepal is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse countries on the planet, with more than 125 ethnic groups and over 120 spoken languages. Nepali is the official language and serves as the common tongue across this patchwork of communities. Hinduism is the dominant faith, practised by roughly 81% of the population, followed by Buddhism at about 9% and Islam at around 4%. The two religions have coexisted and blended here for centuries, and the Kathmandu Valley alone is dotted with thousands of temples and stupas.
Although Nepal officially abolished its caste system in the 1960s, caste and ethnic identity still shape social and economic life in many regions. The population is also notably young: the median age is about 25, meaning a large share of Nepalis are entering adulthood and the workforce — a potential demographic dividend if the economy can generate enough opportunities at home. You can explore more about the nation's geography and culture in our nepal country guide.
Key Population Facts
- Population (2025 est.): ~31 million
- World rank: 48th most populous
- Annual growth rate: 1.85%
- Population density: ~210 people per km²
- Median age: ~25 years
- Capital and largest city: Kathmandu
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Nepal in 2025?
Nepal has an estimated population of about 31 million people in 2025, ranking it as the 48th most populous country in the world, with roughly half of its people living in the southern Terai plains.
What is the largest city in Nepal?
Kathmandu, the capital, is the largest city with around 1.4 million residents — and close to 3 million when the surrounding Kathmandu Valley is included. It is also the country's cultural and economic centre.
Why do so many Nepalis work abroad?
An estimated 4 to 5 million Nepalis work overseas, mainly in the Gulf states, Malaysia, and India, because of limited job opportunities at home. The money they send back makes up roughly a quarter of Nepal's GDP.
Is Nepal's population still growing?
Yes. Nepal's population grows at about 1.85% per year, though the rate has slowed sharply since the 1990s as fertility fell to around replacement level. The population is projected to reach roughly 38 million by 2050.