Country Name: Nepal (Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal)

Capital: Kathmandu

Government Type: federal parliamentary republic

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 Nepali 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.

Continent: Asia

Population: 30,899,443 (2023 est.)

Ethnic Groups: Chhettri 16.5%, Brahman-Hill 11.3%, Magar 6.9%, Tharu 6.2%, Tamang 5.6%, Bishwokarma 5%, Musalman 4.9%, Newar 4.6%, Yadav 4.2%, Rai 2.2%, Pariyar 1.9%, Gurung 1.9%, Thakuri 1.7%, Mijar 1.6%, Teli 1.5%, Yakthung/Limbu 1.4%, Chamar/Harijan/Ram 1.4%, Koiri/Kushwaha 1.2%, other 20% (2021 est.)

Languages: Nepali (official) 44.9%, Maithali 11.1%, Bhojpuri 6.2%, Tharu 5.9%, Tamang 4.9%, Bajjika 3.9%, Avadhi 3%, Nepalbhasha (Newari) 3%, Magar Dhut 2.8%, Doteli 1.7%, Urdu 1.4%, Yakthung/Limbu 1.2%, Gurung 1.1%, other 8.9%; note - 123 languages reported as mother tongue in 2021 national census; many in government and business also speak English (2021 est.)

Religions: Hindu 81.2%, Buddhist 8.2%, Muslim 5.1%, Kirat 3.2%, Christian 1.8%, other 0.5% (2021 est.)

Economic Overview: low-income South Asian economy; post-conflict fiscal federalism increasing stability; COVID-19 hurt trade and tourism; widening current account deficits; environmentally fragile economy from earthquakes; growing Chinese relations and investments

Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $9.319 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $122.242 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Real GDP Growth Rate: 5.61% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per Capita: $4,000 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Exports: 

• $2.733 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 153

Export Commodities: soybean oil, palm oil, clothing and apparel, carpets, nutmeg (2021)

Export Partners: India 68%, United States 10% (2019)

Imports: 

• $15.462 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 105

Import Commodities: refined petroleum, iron, broadcasting equipment, natural gas, rice (2019)

Import Partners: India 70%, China 15% (2019)

Natural Resources: quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Agricultural Products: rice, vegetables, sugar cane, potatoes, maize, wheat, buffalo milk, milk, fruit, mangoes/guavas

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

Industrial Production Growth Rate: 

• 10.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

• Comparison Ranking: 19

Labor Force: 8.741 million (2022 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 10.92% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Natural Hazards: severe thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; drought and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons

Geography:

• Total: 147,181 sq km

• Land: 143,351 sq km

• Water: 3,830 sq km

(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)

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