Nepal

During the late 18th and 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 after 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. In 1951, the Nepali monarch ended the century-old system of hereditary rule and instituted a cabinet system that brought political parties into the government. That arrangement lasted until 1960, when political parties were again banned, but it was reinstated in 1990 with the establishment of a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy.

A Maoist-led insurgency broke out in 1996. During the ensuing 10-year civil war between Maoist and government forces, the monarchy dissolved the cabinet and parliament. In 2001, Crown Prince DIPENDRA first massacred the royal family and then shot himself. His brother GYANENDRA became king, and the monarchy reassumed absolute power the next year. A peace accord in 2006 led to the promulgation of an interim constitution in 2007. After 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.

When the CA failed to draft a Supreme Court-mandated constitution, then-Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI dissolved the CA. An interim government held elections in 2013, in which the Nepali Congress (NC) won the largest share of seats. In 2014, NC formed a coalition government with the second-place Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML). Nepal's new constitution came into effect in 2015, at which point the CA became the Parliament and Khagda Prasad Sharma OLI the first post-constitution prime minister (2015-16). He resigned ahead of a no-confidence motion, and Parliament elected Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) leader Pushpa Kamal DAHAL as prime minister.

The parties headed by OLI and DAHAL ran in coalition and swept the parliamentary elections in 2017, and OLI was sworn in as prime minister in 2018. OLI's efforts to dissolve parliament and hold elections were declared unconstitutional in 2021, and the opposition-supported NC leader Sher Bahadur DEUBA was named prime minister. The NC won a majority of seats in the parliamentary elections in 2022, but DAHAL then broke with the ruling coalition and partnered with OLI and the CPN-UML to become prime minister. DAHAL's first cabinet lasted about two months, until OLI withdrew his support over disagreements about ministerial assignments. In early 2023, DAHAL survived a vote of confidence and formed a coalition with the NC to remain prime minister.

28 00 N, 84 00 E

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

slightly larger than New York State

deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); forest degradation; soil erosion; contaminated water from human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents; unmanaged solid waste; wildlife conservation; air pollution from vehicular emissions

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Marine Life Conservation

varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south

0 km (landlocked)

Total: 3,159 km

Border countries (2): China 1,389 km; India 1,770 km

Agricultural land: 26.1% (2022 est.)

Arable land: 12.6% (2022 est.)

Permanent crops: 1% (2022 est.)

Permanent pasture: 12.5% (2022 est.)

Forest: 41.6% (2022 est.)

Other: 32.3% (2022 est.)

none (landlocked)

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

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

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

Southern Asia, between China and India

Asia

12,090 sq km (2022)

210.2 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

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 low

Highest point: Mount Everest (highest peak in Asia and highest point on earth above sea level) 8,849 m

Lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m

Mean elevation: 2,565 m

Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin

Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km)

Total : 147,181 sq km

Land: 143,351 sq km

Water: 3,830 sq km

0-14 years: 25.8% (male 4,125,244/female 3,909,135)

15-64 years: 67.8% (male 10,153,682/female 10,957,011)

65 years and over: 6.4% (2024 est.) (male 961,717/female 1,015,598)

At birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total population: 68.7% (2019 est.)

Male: 79.7% (2019 est.)

Female: 59.4% (2019 est.)

Noun: Nepali (singular and plural)

Adjective: Nepali

Total: 14 years (2023 est.)

Male: 14 years (2023 est.)

Female: 14 years (2023 est.)

Urban population: 21.9% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 90% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 91.6% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 91.2% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 10% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 8.4% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 8.8% of population (2022 est.)

1.571 million KATHMANDU (capital) (2023)

1.01 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

0.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

20.4 years (2016 est.)

Note: Data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Total dependency ratio: 47.4 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 38.1 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 9.4 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 10.7 (2024 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 96.1% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 89.2% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 90.7% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 3.9% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 10.8% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 9.3% of population (2022 est.)

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.)

Note: 141 caste/ethnic groups were reported in the 2021 national census

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

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% (2021 est.)

Major-language sample(s):
विश्व तथ्य पुस्तक,आधारभूत जानकारीको लागि अपरिहार्य स्रोत (Nepali)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Note: 123 languages reported as mother tongue in 2021 national census; many in government and business also speak English

5.4% of GDP (2021)

8% of national budget (2022 est.)

Women married by age 15: 5.8% (2022)

Women married by age 18: 34.9% (2022)

Men married by age 18: 7% (2022)

0.9 (2024 est.)

74.6% (2023 est.)

Total: 20.8% (2024 est.)

Male: 19.3% (2024 est.)

Female: 23.6% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

-4.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 27.6 years (2024 est.)

Male: 26.5 years

Female: 28.6 years

142 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

1.85 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 31,122,387 (2024 est.)

Male: 15,240,643

Female: 15,881,744

Total: 24 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 25.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 22.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 22.9% (2025 est.)

Male: 40.3% (2025 est.)

Female: 7.6% (2025 est.)

4.1% (2016)

5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

17 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

18.7% (2022)

Total: 0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 0.13 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 73 years (2024 est.)

Male: 72.2 years

Female: 73.7 years

4% of GDP (2023 est.)

12.8% national budget (2021 est.)

0.7% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 147.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial: 29.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Agricultural: 9.32 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.769 million tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4.6% (2022 est.)

36.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

11.357 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From coal and metallurgical coke: 2.025 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 9.332 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

6.604 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Chief of mission: Ambassador Dean R. THOMPSON (since October 2022)

Embassy: Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

Mailing address: 6190 Kathmandu Place, Washington DC  20521-6190

Telephone: [977] (1) 423-4000

FAX: [977] (1) 400-7272

Email address and website:
Usembktm@state.gov

https://np.usembassy.gov/

7 provinces (pradesh, singular - pradesh); Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Koshi, Lumbini, Madhesh, Sudurpashchim

Name: Kathmandu

Geographic coordinates: 27 43 N, 85 19 E

Time difference: UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Etymology: The name comes from the Nepalese words kath (wooden) and mandu (temple), referring to the local temples that are often still built from wood

History: Several previous; latest approved by the Second Constituent Assembly 16 September 2015, signed by the president and effective 20 September 2015

Amendment process: 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

Chief of state: President Ram Chandra POUDEL (since 13 March 2023)

Head of government: Prime Minister Sushila KARKI; note - KARKI was sworn in as interim prime minister on 12 September 2025 after Khadga Prasad Sharma OLI resigned on 9 September following violent protests; KARKI will serve until elections are held in March 2026

Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister; cabinet positions shared among Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre, and various coalition partners

Election/appointment process: President indirectly elected by an electoral college of the Federal Parliament and the state assemblies for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)

Most recent election date: 9 March 2023

Election results:
2023: Ram Chandra POUDEL elected president; electoral college vote - Ram Chandra POUDEL (NC) 33,802, Subash Chandra NEMBANG (CPN-UML) 15,518

2018: Bidhya Devi BHANDARI reelected president; electoral vote - Bidhya Devi BHANDARI (CPN-UML) 39,275, Kumari Laxmi RAI (NC) 11,730

Expected date of next election: 5 March 2026

Description: Crimson red with a blue border, in the shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller upper triangle has a stylized white moon, and the larger lower triangle has a 12-pointed white sun

Meaning: Red stands for the rhododendron (the national flower) and victory and bravery, and the blue border for peace and harmony; the two triangles are a combination of two pennants that originally symbolized the Himalaya Mountains, but today they refer to Hinduism and Buddhism, the country's two main religions; the moon stands for the serenity of the people, as well as Himalayan shade and cool weather, and the sun for the heat and higher temperatures in the rest of the country

Note: Nepal is the only country with a flag that is not rectangular or square

1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)

Highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and up to 20 judges)

Judge selection and term of office: 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 serves a 6-year term; judges serve until age 65

Subordinate courts: High Court; district courts

English common law and Hindu legal concepts

Legislature name: Federal Parliament (Sanghiya Sansad)

Legislative structure: Bicameral

Note: Violent student-led protests in early September 2025 led to the resignation of the Prime Minister; the President dissolved Parliament on 12 September 2015 following the swearing in of an interim prime minister and set elections for 5 March 2026; the major political parties have demanded reinstatement of the Parliament

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, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNSOM, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Constitution Day, 20 September (2015)

Note: Replaces the previous Republic Day on 28 May as the official national day in Nepal; the Gregorian date fluctuates based on Nepal’s Hindu calendar

Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) or CPN-MC
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) or CPN-UML
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) or CPN-US
Janamat Party
Janata Samajbaadi Party or JSP
Loktantrik Samajwadi Party or LSP
Naya Shakti Party, Nepal
Nepali Congress or NC
Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party (Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party) or NWPP
Rastriya Janamorcha (National People's Front)
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (National Democratic Party) or RPP
Rastriya Swatantra Party or RSP

18 years of age; universal

federal parliamentary republic

Conventional long form: None

Conventional short form: Nepal

Local long form: None

Local short form: Nepal

Etymology: The name probably comes from the Sanskrit term nepala, from the words for "fly down" and "house," which would refer to the villages at the base of the mountains

Chief of mission: Ambassador Lok Darshan REGMI (since 11 June 2025)

Chancery: 2730 34^th Place NW, Washington, DC 20007

Telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550

FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534

Email address and website:
Info@nepalembassyusa.org

https://us.nepalembassy.gov.np/

Consulate(s) general: New York

Title: "Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" (Hundreds of Flowers)

Lyrics/music: Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG

History: Adopted 2007

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

rhododendron blossom

Citizenship by birth: Yes

Citizenship by descent only: Yes

Dual citizenship recognized: No

Residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years

Total World Heritage Sites: 4 (2 cultural, 2 natural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Kathmandu Valley (c); Sagarmatha National Park (n); Chitwan National Park (n); Lumbini, Buddha Birthplace (c)

red

20.3% (2022 est.)

Note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 3.7% (2022 est.)

Highest 10%: 24.2% (2022 est.)

Note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

knotted carpets, garments, flat-rolled iron, synthetic fibers, palm oil (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

India 67%, USA 12%, Germany 3%, China 2%, UK 2% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

rice, vegetables, potatoes, sugarcane, maize, wheat, bison milk, milk, mangoes/guavas, bananas (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $7.625 billion (2021 est.)

Expenditures: $9.1 billion (2021 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

refined petroleum, natural gas, garments, iron reductions, broadcasting equipment (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
133.727 (2024 est.)
132.115 (2023 est.)
125.199 (2022 est.)
118.134 (2021 est.)
118.345 (2020 est.)

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

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

$42.914 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 86.3% (2024 est.)

Government consumption: 7.4% (2024 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 24.3% (2024 est.)

Investment in inventories: 6.1% (2024 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 7.6% (2024 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -32.9% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

India 71%, China 17%, UAE 3%, Singapore 2%, Germany 1% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

33.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
25.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
22% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

8.435 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$5.719 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

$12.456 billion (2023 est.)
$9.319 billion (2022 est.)
$9.639 billion (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

39.9% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

10.8% (2024 est.)
10.7% (2023 est.)
10.9% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

17.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$149.643 billion (2024 est.)
$144.352 billion (2023 est.)
$141.546 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

7.1% (2023 est.)
7.7% (2022 est.)
4.1% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

$1.954 billion (2024 est.)
$146.66 million (2023 est.)
-$3.088 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$5,000 (2024 est.)
$4,900 (2023 est.)
$4,800 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$17.777 billion (2024 est.)
$13.877 billion (2023 est.)
$15.227 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$3.744 billion (2024 est.)
$2.258 billion (2023 est.)
$2.106 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

3.7% (2024 est.)
2% (2023 est.)
5.6% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

0.1% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 21.9% (2024 est.)

Industry: 11.4% (2024 est.)

Services: 55.2% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 91.3% (2022 est.)

Electrification - urban areas: 97.7%

Electrification - rural areas: 93.7%

Production: 9,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Consumption: 1.091 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports: 100 metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports: 1.076 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Proven reserves: 8 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Solar: 1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Hydroelectricity: 99% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 71,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 2.853 million kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 9.806 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Exports: 1.1 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Imports: 1.846 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 1.638 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 56% (2023 est.)

.np

state operates 3 TV stations, as well as national and regional radio stations; 117 television channels are licensed, 71 of which are cable TV, 3 are distributed through Direct-To-Home (DTH) system, and 4 are digital terrestrial; 736 FM radio stations are licensed, and at least 314 of those are community stations (2019)

Total subscriptions: 38.2 million (2021 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 127 (2021 est.)

Total: 1.44 million (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions: 726,000 (2021 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.)

Total: 59 km (2018)

Narrow gauge: 59 km (2018) 0.762-m gauge

9N

51 (2025)

14 (2025)

18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2023)

Note: As of 2023, about 7,000 women served in the Nepalese Armed Forces

1% of GDP (2024 est.)
1% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Nepalese Armed Forces (Ministry of Defense): Nepali Army (includes Air Wing)

Ministry of Home Affairs: Nepal Police, Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) (2025)

Note: The Nepal Police are responsible for enforcing law and order across the country; the Armed Police Force is responsible for combating terrorism, providing security during riots and public disturbances, assisting in natural disasters, and protecting vital infrastructure, public officials, and the borders; it also conducts counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations and would assist the Army in the event of an external invasion

the Nepali Army is responsible for territorial defense, fulfilling Nepal's commitments to UN peacekeeping, and some domestic duties such as disaster relief/humanitarian assistance, social services, and nature conservation efforts; during the 10-year civil war that ended in 2006, it conducted counterinsurgency operations against Maoist guerrillas; the Army has a long history of supporting UN missions, having sent its first UN observers to Lebanon in 1958 and its first troop contingent to Egypt in 1974; as of 2025, 150,000 Nepali military personnel have deployed on over 40 UN missions; Nepal's key security partners are China, India, and the US

The British began to recruit Nepalese citizens (Gurkhas) into the East India Company Army during the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816); the Gurkhas subsequently were brought into the British Indian Army and by 1914, there were 10 Gurkha regiments, collectively known as the Gurkha Brigade; following the partition of India in 1947, an agreement between Nepal, India, and Great Britain allowed for the transfer of the 10 regiments from the British Indian Army to the separate British and Indian armies; four regiments were transferred to the British Army, where they have since served continuously as the Brigade of Gurkhas; six Gurkha (aka Gorkha in India) regiments went to the new Indian Army; a seventh regiment was later added; Gurkhas are also recruited into the Singaporean Police and a special guard in the Sultanate of Brunei known as the Gurkha Reserve Unit (2025)

approximately 95,000 active Armed Forces (2025)

the Army's inventory includes a mix of mostly older equipment largely of British, Chinese, Indian, Russian, and South African origin; in recent years, Nepal has received limited amounts of newer hardware from several countries, including China, Indonesia, Italy, and Russia (2023)

1240 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,150 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 400 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 875 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 225 Liberia (UNSMIL); 100 South Sudan/Sudan (UNISFA); 1,725 (plus about 220 police) South Sudan (UNMISS); note - Nepal has over 6,000 total personnel deployed on 15 UN missions (2024)

Refugees: 19,874 (2024 est.)

IDPs: 18,671 (2024 est.)

Stateless persons: 467 (2024 est.)

Tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Nepal remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/nepal/

Terrorist group(s): Indian Mujahedeen

Note: Details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

Chamber name: House of Representatives (Pratinidhi Sabha)

Number of seats: 275 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Mixed system

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 11/19/2013

Parties elected and seats per party: Nepali Congress (NC) (89); Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist, UML) (78); Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-MC) (32); Rastriya Swatantra Party (20); Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPP) (14); People's Socialist Party, Nepal (12); Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) (10); Janamat Party (6); Democratic Socialist Party, Nepal (4); People's Freedom Party (3); Nepal Workers Peasants Party (1); Rastriya Janamorcha (1); Independents (5)

Percentage of women in chamber: 33.5%

Expected date of next election: 5 March 2026; note - Parliament was dissolved by the President on 12 September following violent protests, the resignation of the Prime Minister, and the appointment of an interim prime minister with new elections set for March 2026

Chamber name: National Assembly (Rastriya Sabha)

Number of seats: 59 (56 indirectly elected; 3 appointed)

Scope of elections: Partial renewal

Term in office: 6 years

Most recent election date: 1/25/2024

Percentage of women in chamber: 37.3%

Expected date of next election: January 2026

30 (2022 est.)

Note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality