factbook.json/south-asia/np.json

{
  "Introduction": {
    "Background": {
      "text": "<p>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. (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 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.</p> <p>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.</p>"
    }
  },
  "Geography": {
    "Location": {
      "text": "Southern Asia, between China and India"
    },
    "Geographic coordinates": {
      "text": "28 00 N, 84 00 E"
    },
    "Map references": {
      "text": "Asia"
    },
    "Area": {
      "total ": {
        "text": "147,181 sq km"
      },
      "land": {
        "text": "143,351 sq km"
      },
      "water": {
        "text": "3,830 sq km"
      }
    },
    "Area - comparative": {
      "text": "slightly larger than New York state"
    },
    "Land boundaries": {
      "total": {
        "text": "3,159 km"
      },
      "border countries": {
        "text": "China 1,389 km; India 1,770 km"
      }
    },
    "Coastline": {
      "text": "0 km (landlocked)"
    },
    "Maritime claims": {
      "text": "none (landlocked)"
    },
    "Climate": {
      "text": "varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south"
    },
    "Terrain": {
      "text": "Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south; central hill region with rugged Himalayas in north"
    },
    "Elevation": {
      "highest point": {
        "text": "Mount Everest (highest peak in Asia and highest point on earth above sea level) 8,849 m"
      },
      "lowest point": {
        "text": "Kanchan Kalan 70 m"
      },
      "mean elevation": {
        "text": "2,565 m"
      }
    },
    "Natural resources": {
      "text": "quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore"
    },
    "Land use": {
      "agricultural land": {
        "text": "28.8% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: arable land": {
        "text": "arable land: 15.1% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent crops": {
        "text": "permanent crops: 1.2% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent pasture": {
        "text": "permanent pasture: 12.5% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "forest": {
        "text": "25.4% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "other": {
        "text": "45.8% (2018 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Irrigated land": {
      "text": "13,320 sq km (2012)"
    },
    "Major watersheds (area sq km)": {
      "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km)"
    },
    "Major aquifers": {
      "text": "Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin"
    },
    "Population distribution": {
      "text": "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 quite low"
    },
    "Natural hazards": {
      "text": "severe thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; drought and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons"
    },
    "Geography - note": {
      "text": "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"
    }
  },
  "People and Society": {
    "Population": {
      "total": {
        "text": "31,122,387"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "15,240,643"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "15,881,744 (2024 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Nationality": {
      "noun": {
        "text": "Nepali (singular and plural)"
      },
      "adjective": {
        "text": "Nepali"
      }
    },
    "Ethnic groups": {
      "text": "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": "<strong>note:</strong> 141 caste/ethnic groups were reported in the 2021 national census"
    },
    "Languages": {
      "Languages": {
        "text": "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)": {
        "text": "<br>विश्व तथ्य पुस्तक,आधारभूत जानकारीको लागि अपरिहार्य स्रोत (Nepali)<br><br>The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information."
      },
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> 123 languages reported as mother tongue in 2021 national census; many in government and business also speak English"
    },
    "Religions": {
      "text": "Hindu 81.2%, Buddhist 8.2%, Muslim 5.1%, Kirat 3.2%, Christian 1.8%, other 0.5% (2021 est.)"
    },
    "Age structure": {
      "0-14 years": {
        "text": "25.8% (male 4,125,244/female 3,909,135)"
      },
      "15-64 years": {
        "text": "67.8% (male 10,153,682/female 10,957,011)"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "6.4% (2024 est.) (male 961,717/female 1,015,598)"
      }
    },
    "Dependency ratios": {
      "total dependency ratio": {
        "text": "54.9"
      },
      "youth dependency ratio": {
        "text": "45.5"
      },
      "elderly dependency ratio": {
        "text": "9.4"
      },
      "potential support ratio": {
        "text": "10.7 (2021 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Median age": {
      "total": {
        "text": "27.6 years (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "26.5 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "28.6 years"
      }
    },
    "Population growth rate": {
      "text": "0.7% (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Birth rate": {
      "text": "17 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Death rate": {
      "text": "5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Net migration rate": {
      "text": "-4.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Population distribution": {
      "text": "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 quite low"
    },
    "Urbanization": {
      "urban population": {
        "text": "21.9% of total population (2023)"
      },
      "rate of urbanization": {
        "text": "3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Major urban areas - population": {
      "text": "1.571 million KATHMANDU (capital) (2023)"
    },
    "Sex ratio": {
      "at birth": {
        "text": "1.06 male(s)/female"
      },
      "0-14 years": {
        "text": "1.06 male(s)/female"
      },
      "15-64 years": {
        "text": "0.93 male(s)/female"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "0.95 male(s)/female"
      },
      "total population": {
        "text": "0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Mother's mean age at first birth": {
      "text": "20.4 years (2016 est.)",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49"
    },
    "Maternal mortality ratio": {
      "text": "174 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)"
    },
    "Infant mortality rate": {
      "total": {
        "text": "24 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "25.2 deaths/1,000 live births"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "22.7 deaths/1,000 live births"
      }
    },
    "Life expectancy at birth": {
      "total population": {
        "text": "73 years (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "72.2 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "73.7 years"
      }
    },
    "Total fertility rate": {
      "text": "1.85 children born/woman (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Gross reproduction rate": {
      "text": "0.9 (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Contraceptive prevalence rate": {
      "text": "46.7% (2019)"
    },
    "Drinking water source": {
      "improved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 92.7% of population"
      },
      "improved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 94.4% of population"
      },
      "improved: total": {
        "text": "total: 94.1% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 7.3% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 5.6% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: total": {
        "text": "total: 5.9% of population (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Current health expenditure": {
      "text": "5.2% of GDP (2020)"
    },
    "Physician density": {
      "text": "0.85 physicians/1,000 population (2020)"
    },
    "Hospital bed density": {
      "text": "0.3 beds/1,000 population (2012)"
    },
    "Sanitation facility access": {
      "improved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 95.1% of population"
      },
      "improved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 85.7% of population"
      },
      "improved: total": {
        "text": "total: 87.7% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 4.9% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 14.3% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: total": {
        "text": "total: 12.3% of population (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": {
      "text": "4.1% (2016)"
    },
    "Alcohol consumption per capita": {
      "total": {
        "text": "0.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "beer": {
        "text": "0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "wine": {
        "text": "0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "spirits": {
        "text": "0.13 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "other alcohols": {
        "text": "0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Tobacco use": {
      "total": {
        "text": "30.4% (2020 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "47.9% (2020 est.)"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "12.8% (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": {
      "text": "18.7% (2022)"
    },
    "Currently married women (ages 15-49)": {
      "text": "74.6% (2023 est.)"
    },
    "Child marriage": {
      "women married by age 15": {
        "text": "7.9%"
      },
      "women married by age 18": {
        "text": "32.8%"
      },
      "men married by age 18": {
        "text": "9% (2019 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Education expenditures": {
      "text": "4.2% of GDP (2020 est.)"
    },
    "Literacy": {
      "definition": {
        "text": "age 15 and over can read and write"
      },
      "total population": {
        "text": "71.2%"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "81%"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "63.3% (2021)"
      }
    },
    "School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)": {
      "total": {
        "text": "13 years"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "13 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "13 years (2020)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Environment": {
    "Environment - current issues": {
      "text": "deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); forest degradation; soil erosion; contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); unmanaged solid-waste; wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions"
    },
    "Environment - international agreements": {
      "party to": {
        "text": "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": {
        "text": "Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Marine Life Conservation"
      }
    },
    "Climate": {
      "text": "varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south"
    },
    "Land use": {
      "agricultural land": {
        "text": "28.8% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: arable land": {
        "text": "arable land: 15.1% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent crops": {
        "text": "permanent crops: 1.2% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent pasture": {
        "text": "permanent pasture: 12.5% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "forest": {
        "text": "25.4% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "other": {
        "text": "45.8% (2018 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Urbanization": {
      "urban population": {
        "text": "21.9% of total population (2023)"
      },
      "rate of urbanization": {
        "text": "3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Revenue from forest resources": {
      "text": "0.45% of GDP (2018 est.)"
    },
    "Revenue from coal": {
      "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)"
    },
    "Air pollutants": {
      "particulate matter emissions": {
        "text": "36.43 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)"
      },
      "carbon dioxide emissions": {
        "text": "9.11 megatons (2016 est.)"
      },
      "methane emissions": {
        "text": "41.15 megatons (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Waste and recycling": {
      "municipal solid waste generated annually": {
        "text": "1,768,977 tons (2016 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Major watersheds (area sq km)": {
      "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km)"
    },
    "Major aquifers": {
      "text": "Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin"
    },
    "Total water withdrawal": {
      "municipal": {
        "text": "150 million cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      },
      "industrial": {
        "text": "30 million cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural": {
        "text": "9.32 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Total renewable water resources": {
      "text": "210.2 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)"
    }
  },
  "Government": {
    "Country name": {
      "conventional long form": {
        "text": "none"
      },
      "conventional short form": {
        "text": "Nepal"
      },
      "local long form": {
        "text": "none"
      },
      "local short form": {
        "text": "Nepal"
      },
      "etymology": {
        "text": "the Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas apparently gave their name to the country; the terms \"Nepal,\" \"Newar,\" \"Nepar,\" and \"Newal\" are phonetically different forms of the same word"
      }
    },
    "Government type": {
      "text": "federal parliamentary republic"
    },
    "Capital": {
      "name": {
        "text": "Kathmandu"
      },
      "geographic coordinates": {
        "text": "27 43 N, 85 19 E"
      },
      "time difference": {
        "text": "UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)"
      },
      "etymology": {
        "text": "name derives from the Kasthamandap temple that stood in Durbar Square; in Sanskrit, <em>kastha</em> means \"wood\" and <em>mandapa</em> means \"pavilion\"; the three-story structure was made entirely of wood, without iron nails or supports, and dated to the late 16th century; it collapsed during a 2015 earthquake"
      }
    },
    "Administrative divisions": {
      "text": "7 provinces (pradesh, singular - pradesh); Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Koshi, Lumbini, Madhesh, Sudurpashchim"
    },
    "Independence": {
      "text": "1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)"
    },
    "National holiday": {
      "text": "Constitution Day, 20 September (2015); note - marks the promulgation of Nepal’s constitution in 2015 and replaces the previous 28 May Republic Day as the official national day in Nepal; the Gregorian day fluctuates based on Nepal’s Hindu calendar"
    },
    "Legal system": {
      "text": "English common law and Hindu legal concepts; note - new criminal and civil codes&nbsp;came into&nbsp;effect on 17 August 2018"
    },
    "Constitution": {
      "history": {
        "text": "several previous; latest approved by the Second Constituent Assembly 16 September 2015, signed by the president and effective 20 September 2015"
      },
      "amendments": {
        "text": "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; amended 2016, 2020"
      }
    },
    "International law organization participation": {
      "text": "has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt"
    },
    "Citizenship": {
      "citizenship by birth": {
        "text": "yes"
      },
      "citizenship by descent only": {
        "text": "yes"
      },
      "dual citizenship recognized": {
        "text": "no"
      },
      "residency requirement for naturalization": {
        "text": "15 years"
      }
    },
    "Suffrage": {
      "text": "18 years of age; universal"
    },
    "Executive branch": {
      "chief of state": {
        "text": "President Ram Chandra POUDEL (since 13 March 2023)"
      },
      "head of government": {
        "text": "Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma OLI (since 15 July 2024)"
      },
      "cabinet": {
        "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister; cabinet split between Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre, and various coalition partners"
      },
      "elections/appointments": {
        "text": "president indirectly elected by an electoral college of the Federal Parliament and of the state assemblies for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 March 2023 (next to be held in 2028)"
      },
      "election results": {
        "text": "<em><br>2023:</em> Ram Chandra POUDEL elected president; electoral college vote - Ram Chandra POUDEL (NC) 33,802, Subash Chandra NEMBANG (CPN-UML) 15,518<br><br><em>2018:</em> Bidhya Devi BHANDARI reelected president; electoral vote - Bidhya Devi BHANDARI (CPN-UML) 39,275, Kumari Laxmi RAI (NC) 11,730 "
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch": {
      "legislature name": {
        "text": "Federal Parliament (Sanghiya Sansad)"
      },
      "legislative structure": {
        "text": "bicameral"
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch - lower chamber": {
      "chamber name": {
        "text": "House of Representatives (Pratinidhi Sabha)"
      },
      "number of seats": {
        "text": "275 (all directly elected)"
      },
      "electoral system": {
        "text": "mixed system"
      },
      "scope of elections": {
        "text": "full renewal"
      },
      "term in office": {
        "text": "5 years"
      },
      "most recent election date": {
        "text": "11/19/2013"
      },
      "parties elected and seats per party": {
        "text": "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": {
        "text": "33.5%"
      },
      "expected date of next election": {
        "text": "November 2027"
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch - upper chamber": {
      "chamber name": {
        "text": "National Assembly (Rastriya Sabha)"
      },
      "number of seats": {
        "text": "59 (56 indirectly elected; 3 appointed)"
      },
      "scope of elections": {
        "text": "partial renewal"
      },
      "term in office": {
        "text": "6 years"
      },
      "most recent election date": {
        "text": "1/25/2024"
      },
      "percentage of women in chamber": {
        "text": "37.3%"
      },
      "expected date of next election": {
        "text": "January 2026"
      }
    },
    "Judicial branch": {
      "highest court(s)": {
        "text": "Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and up to 20 judges)"
      },
      "judge selection and term of office": {
        "text": "Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, a 5-member, high-level advisory body headed by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the president upon 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": {
        "text": "High Court; district courts"
      }
    },
    "Political parties": {
      "text": "<p>Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) or CPN-MC<br>Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) or CPN-UML<br>Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) or CPN-US<br>Janamat Party<br>Janata Samajbaadi Party or JSP<br>Loktantrik Samajwadi Party or LSP<br>Naya Shakti Party, Nepal<br>Nepali Congress or NC<br>Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party (Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party) or NWPP<br>Rastriya Janamorcha (National People's Front)<br>Rastriya Prajatantra Party (National Democratic Party) or RPP<br>Rastriya Swatantra Party or RSP</p>"
    },
    "International organization participation": {
      "text": "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"
    },
    "Diplomatic representation in the US": {
      "chief of mission": {
        "text": "Ambassador (vacant); Charg&eacute; d'Affaires Sharad Raj ARAN (since 13 November 2024)"
      },
      "chancery": {
        "text": "2730 34th Place NW, Washington, DC 20007"
      },
      "telephone": {
        "text": "[1] (202) 667-4550"
      },
      "FAX": {
        "text": "[1] (202) 667-5534"
      },
      "email address and website": {
        "text": "<br>info@nepalembassyusa.org<br><br>https://us.nepalembassy.gov.np/"
      },
      "consulate(s) general": {
        "text": "New York"
      }
    },
    "Diplomatic representation from the US": {
      "chief of mission": {
        "text": "Ambassador Dean R. THOMPSON (since October 2022)"
      },
      "embassy": {
        "text": "Maharajgunj, Kathmandu"
      },
      "mailing address": {
        "text": "6190 Kathmandu Place, Washington DC&nbsp; 20521-6190"
      },
      "telephone": {
        "text": "[977] (1) 423-4000"
      },
      "FAX": {
        "text": "[977] (1) 400-7272"
      },
      "email address and website": {
        "text": "<br>usembktm@state.gov<br><br>https://np.usembassy.gov/"
      }
    },
    "Flag description": {
      "text": "crimson red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle displays a white 12-pointed sun; the color red represents the rhododendron (Nepal's national flower) and is a sign of victory and bravery, the blue border signifies peace and harmony; the two right triangles are a combination of two single pennons (pennants) that originally symbolized the Himalaya Mountains while their charges represented the families of the king (upper) and the prime minister, but today they are understood to denote Hinduism and Buddhism, the country's two main religions; the moon represents the serenity of the Nepalese people and the shade and cool weather in the Himalayas, while the sun depicts the heat and higher temperatures of the lower parts of Nepal; the moon and the sun are also said to express the hope that the nation will endure as long as these heavenly bodies",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> Nepal is the only country in the world whose flag is not rectangular or square"
    },
    "National symbol(s)": {
      "text": "rhododendron blossom; national color: red"
    },
    "National anthem": {
      "name": {
        "text": "\"Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka\" (Hundreds of Flowers)"
      },
      "lyrics/music": {
        "text": "Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG"
      },
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> adopted 2007; after the abolition of the monarchy in 2006, a new anthem was required because of the previous anthem's praise for the king"
    },
    "National heritage": {
      "total World Heritage Sites": {
        "text": "4 (2 cultural, 2 natural)"
      },
      "selected World Heritage Site locales": {
        "text": "Kathmandu Valley (c); Sagarmatha National Park (n); Chitwan National Park (n); Lumbini, Buddha Birthplace (c)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Economy": {
    "Economic overview": {
      "text": "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"
    },
    "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": {
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": {
        "text": "$144.31 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022": {
        "text": "$141.546 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021": {
        "text": "$134 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars"
    },
    "Real GDP growth rate": {
      "Real GDP growth rate 2023": {
        "text": "1.95% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP growth rate 2022": {
        "text": "5.63% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP growth rate 2021": {
        "text": "4.84% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency"
    },
    "Real GDP per capita": {
      "Real GDP per capita 2023": {
        "text": "$4,900 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP per capita 2022": {
        "text": "$4,800 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP per capita 2021": {
        "text": "$4,500 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars"
    },
    "GDP (official exchange rate)": {
      "text": "$40.908 billion (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate"
    },
    "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": {
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023": {
        "text": "7.11% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022": {
        "text": "7.65% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021": {
        "text": "4.15% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices"
    },
    "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": {
      "agriculture": {
        "text": "21.2% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "industry": {
        "text": "12.1% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "services": {
        "text": "55.4% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data"
    },
    "GDP - composition, by end use": {
      "household consumption": {
        "text": "85.9% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "government consumption": {
        "text": "6.6% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "investment in fixed capital": {
        "text": "25.1% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "investment in inventories": {
        "text": "6.6% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "exports of goods and services": {
        "text": "7% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "imports of goods and services": {
        "text": "-34.7% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection"
    },
    "Agricultural products": {
      "text": "rice, vegetables, potatoes, sugarcane, maize, wheat, bison milk, milk, mangoes/guavas, fruits (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage"
    },
    "Industries": {
      "text": "tourism, carpets, textiles, small rice, jute, sugar, oilseed mills, cigarettes, cement and brick production"
    },
    "Industrial production growth rate": {
      "text": "1.38% (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency"
    },
    "Labor force": {
      "text": "8.569 million (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work"
    },
    "Unemployment rate": {
      "Unemployment rate 2023": {
        "text": "10.69% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Unemployment rate 2022": {
        "text": "10.92% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Unemployment rate 2021": {
        "text": "12.32% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment"
    },
    "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": {
      "total": {
        "text": "20.4% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "18.7% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "23.3% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment"
    },
    "Population below poverty line": {
      "text": "20.3% (2022 est.)"
    },
    "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income": {
      "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022": {
        "text": "30 (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Household income or consumption by percentage share": {
      "lowest 10%": {
        "text": "3.7% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "highest 10%": {
        "text": "24.2% (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Remittances": {
      "Remittances 2023": {
        "text": "26.31% of GDP (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Remittances 2022": {
        "text": "22.85% of GDP (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Remittances 2021": {
        "text": "22.28% of GDP (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities"
    },
    "Budget": {
      "revenues": {
        "text": "$7.625 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "expenditures": {
        "text": "$7.163 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated"
    },
    "Public debt": {
      "Public debt 2021": {
        "text": "39.92% of GDP (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> central government debt as a % of GDP"
    },
    "Taxes and other revenues": {
      "text": "17.49% (of GDP) (2021 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP"
    },
    "Current account balance": {
      "Current account balance 2023": {
        "text": "$998.628 million (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Current account balance 2022": {
        "text": "-$2.372 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Current account balance 2021": {
        "text": "-$5.363 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars"
    },
    "Exports": {
      "Exports 2023": {
        "text": "$3.02 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Exports 2022": {
        "text": "$2.755 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Exports 2021": {
        "text": "$2.52 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars"
    },
    "Exports - partners": {
      "text": "India 67%, US 11%, Germany 3%, Turkey 2%, UK 2% (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports"
    },
    "Exports - commodities": {
      "text": "palm oil, soybean oil, garments, synthetic fibers, knotted carpets (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars"
    },
    "Imports": {
      "Imports 2023": {
        "text": "$14.104 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Imports 2022": {
        "text": "$15.463 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Imports 2021": {
        "text": "$16.993 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars"
    },
    "Imports - partners": {
      "text": "India 64%, China 13%, UAE 3%, Indonesia 2%, US 2% (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports"
    },
    "Imports - commodities": {
      "text": "refined petroleum, natural gas, gold, rice, soybean oil (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars"
    },
    "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": {
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023": {
        "text": "$12.456 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022": {
        "text": "$9.319 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021": {
        "text": "$9.639 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars"
    },
    "Debt - external": {
      "Debt - external 2023": {
        "text": "$6.489 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> present value of external debt in current US dollars"
    },
    "Exchange rates": {
      "Currency": {
        "text": "Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar -"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2023": {
        "text": "132.115 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2022": {
        "text": "125.199 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2021": {
        "text": "118.134 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2020": {
        "text": "118.345 (2020 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2019": {
        "text": "112.609 (2019 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Energy": {
    "Electricity access": {
      "electrification - total population": {
        "text": "91.3% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "electrification - urban areas": {
        "text": "97.7%"
      },
      "electrification - rural areas": {
        "text": "93.7%"
      }
    },
    "Electricity": {
      "installed generating capacity": {
        "text": "2.389 million kW (2022 est.)"
      },
      "consumption": {
        "text": "9.327 billion kWh (2022 est.)"
      },
      "exports": {
        "text": "347.784 million kWh (2022 est.)"
      },
      "imports": {
        "text": "1.601 billion kWh (2022 est.)"
      },
      "transmission/distribution losses": {
        "text": "1.738 billion kWh (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Electricity generation sources": {
      "solar": {
        "text": "1.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      },
      "wind": {
        "text": "0.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      },
      "hydroelectricity": {
        "text": "98.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Coal": {
      "production": {
        "text": "15,000 metric tons (2022 est.)"
      },
      "consumption": {
        "text": "1.095 million metric tons (2022 est.)"
      },
      "imports": {
        "text": "1.015 million metric tons (2022 est.)"
      },
      "proven reserves": {
        "text": "8 million metric tons (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Petroleum": {
      "refined petroleum consumption": {
        "text": "62,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Carbon dioxide emissions": {
      "total emissions": {
        "text": "10.515 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "from coal and metallurgical coke": {
        "text": "2.179 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "from petroleum and other liquids": {
        "text": "8.336 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Energy consumption per capita": {
      "Total energy consumption per capita 2022": {
        "text": "5.881 million Btu/person (2022 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Communications": {
    "Telephones - fixed lines": {
      "total subscriptions": {
        "text": "726,000 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "2 (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Telephones - mobile cellular": {
      "total subscriptions": {
        "text": "38.2 million (2021 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "127 (2021 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Telecommunication systems": {
      "general assessment": {
        "text": "in relation to its telecom sector, Nepal has several topographical and economic constraints which have impeded efforts to expand network infrastructure and improve the quality of service for end-users; the fixed line market remains underdeveloped, and as a result most traffic is channeled via mobile networks; fixed broadband penetration remains very low, though to address this the government has initiated several programs as part of the Digital Nepal Framework and the wider Optical Fiber Backbone Network Expansion Project, started in 2012; supported by the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund, the programs include building out fiber backbone infrastructure and using this to provide broadband to schools and community centers nationally; telcos have also invested in fiber networks, and competition in the market is intensifying; cheap fiber-based services launched in mid-2021 prompted responses from other ISPs to provide faster and more competitively priced offers; Nepal&rsquo;s mobile market is relatively developed, with a focus on LTE; in 2021, the regulator considered a range of spectrum bands which could be used for 5G (2021)"
      },
      "domestic": {
        "text": "fixed-line is 2 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular nearly 130 per 100 persons (2021)"
      },
      "international": {
        "text": "country code - 977; Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)"
      }
    },
    "Broadcast media": {
      "text": "state operates 3 TV stations, as well as national and regional radio stations; 117 television channels are licensed, among those 71 are cable television channels,&nbsp;three are distributed through&nbsp;Direct-To-Home (DTH) system, and four are digital terrestrial;&nbsp;736 FM radio stations are licensed and at least 314 of those radio stations are community radio stations (2019)"
    },
    "Internet country code": {
      "text": ".np"
    },
    "Internet users": {
      "percent of population": {
        "text": "50% (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": {
      "total": {
        "text": "1.44 million (2022 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "5 (2022 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Transportation": {
    "National air transport system": {
      "number of registered air carriers": {
        "text": "6 (2020)"
      },
      "inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers": {
        "text": "39"
      },
      "annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers": {
        "text": "3,296,953 (2018)"
      },
      "annual freight traffic on registered air carriers": {
        "text": "4.66 million (2018) mt-km"
      }
    },
    "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": {
      "text": "9N"
    },
    "Airports": {
      "text": "51 (2024)"
    },
    "Heliports": {
      "text": "14 (2024)"
    },
    "Railways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "59 km (2018)"
      },
      "narrow gauge": {
        "text": "59 km (2018) 0.762-m gauge"
      }
    },
    "Roadways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "64,500 km (2020)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Military and Security": {
    "Military and security forces": {
      "text": "Nepalese Armed Forces (Ministry of Defense): Nepali Army (includes Air Wing)<br><br>Ministry of Home Affairs: Nepal Police, Nepal Armed Police Force (2024)",
      "note": "<strong>note: </strong>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"
    },
    "Military expenditures": {
      "Military Expenditures 2023": {
        "text": "1% of GDP (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2022": {
        "text": "1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2021": {
        "text": "1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2020": {
        "text": "1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2019": {
        "text": "1.6% of GDP (2019 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Military and security service personnel strengths": {
      "text": "approximately 95,000 active troops (including a small air wing of about 500 personnel) (2023)"
    },
    "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": {
      "text": "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)"
    },
    "Military service age and obligation": {
      "text": "18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2023)",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> as of 2023, about 7,000 women served in the Nepalese Armed Forces"
    },
    "Military deployments": {
      "text": "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)"
    },
    "Military - note": {
      "text": "the Nepali Army is a lightly equipped force responsible for territorial defense, although it has some domestic duties such as disaster relief/humanitarian assistance and nature conservation efforts; during the 10-year civil war that ended in 2006, it conducted extensive counterinsurgency operations against Maoist guerrillas; the Army also has a long and distinguished 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 2024, about 150,000 Nepali military personnel had deployed on over 40 UN missions; the Army conducts training with foreign partners, including China, India, and the US<br><br>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 (2024)"
    }
  },
  "Terrorism": {
    "Terrorist group(s)": {
      "text": "Indian Mujahedeen",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> 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"
    }
  },
  "Transnational Issues": {
    "Refugees and internally displaced persons": {
      "refugees (country of origin)": {
        "text": "12,540 (Tibet/China), 6,365 (Bhutan) (mid-year 2022)"
      },
      "stateless persons": {
        "text": "undetermined (mid-year 2021)"
      }
    },
    "Trafficking in persons": {
      "tier rating": {
        "text": "Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Nepal was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/nepal/"
      }
    },
    "Illicit drugs": {
      "text": "<p>illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West; destination country for Indian-produced heroin smuggled in for domestic consumption</p>"
    }
  }
}