Population: 19,611,900 (July 1991), growth rate 2.4% (1991)

Birth rate: 39 births/1,000 population (1991)

Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1991)

Infant mortality rate: 98 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

Life expectancy at birth: 51 years male, 50 years female (1991)

Total fertility rate: 5.5 children born/woman (1991)

Nationality: noun--Nepalese (sing. and pl.); adjective--Nepalese

Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas, as well as many smaller groups

Religion: only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp distinction between many Hindu (about 90% of population) and Buddhist groups (about 5% of population); Muslims 3%, other 2% (1981)

Language: Nepali (official); 20 languages divided into numerous dialects

Literacy: 26% (male 38%, female 13%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

Labor force: 4,100,000; agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry 2%; severe lack of skilled labor

Organized labor: Teachers' Union and many other nonofficially recognized unions

NOTE: The information regarding Nepal on this page is re-published from the 1991 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Nepal People 1991 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Nepal People 1991 should be addressed to the CIA.