Population: 21,041,527 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.44% (1994 est.)

Birth rate: 37.63 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Death rate: 13.28 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 83.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.53 years
male: 52.35 years
female: 52.73 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.24 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Nepalese (singular and plural)
adjective: Nepalese

Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas

Religions: Hindu 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3%, other 2% (1981)
note: only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp distinction between many Hindu and Buddhist groups

Languages: Nepali (official), 20 languages divided into numerous dialects

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 26%
male: 38%
female: 13%
Labor force: 8.5 million (1991 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry 2%
note: severe lack of skilled labor

NOTE: The information regarding Nepal on this page is re-published from the 1995 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Nepal People 1995 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Nepal People 1995 should be addressed to the CIA.