Demographics of Nepal
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| King Yalamber Han, King Tribhuvan, Narayan Gopal, Manisha Koirala, VC LIMBU, Thaman Gurung | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Predominantly Hinduism and significantly Buddhism; minority Islam, Kirant Mundhum, Christianity, Animism and others. |
Perched on the southern slopes of the mighty Himalayas, Nepal is ethnically diverse, culturally rich and geographically varied with some of the world's highest mountain peaks that blend beautifully with terraced hills, broad valleys and large terrains of fertile plains. Nepal is unique in that in a small land size of only around 56,000 square miles, its varied landscape ranges from the highest point on earth to flat plains close to sea level, interspersed with thousands of rivers, lakes, dense forests and a rich assemblage of extoic wildlife.
Nepalis are descendants of migrants from parts of earlier greater Nepal, Tibet, India and parts of Burma and Yunnan along with native tribal population. Among the earliest inhabitants were the Kirat of east mid-region, Newar of the Kathmandu Valley and aboriginal Tharu in the southern Terai region. The ancestors of the Bahun and Chhetri caste groups migrated eastward from Kumaon, Garwal and Kashmir, while other ethnic groups trace their origins to North Burma, Yunnan and Tibet, e.g. the Gurung and Magar in the west, Rai and Limbu in the east, and Sherpa and Bhotia in the north.
In the Terai, a part of the Ganges Basin with 20% of the land, much of the population is physically and culturally similar to the Indo-Aryans of northern India. Indo-Aryan and East Asian looking mixed people live in the hill region. The mountainous region is sparsely populated above 3,000 meters, but in central and western Nepal ethnic Tibetans inhabit even higher semi-arid valleys north of the high Himalaya. Kathmandu Valley, in the middle hill region, constitutes a small fraction of the nation's area but is the most densely populated, with almost 5 percent of the nation's population. Nepal is a multilingual, multireligious and multiethnic society.
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[edit] Languages
Nepal's diverse linguistic heritage evolved from four major language groups: Indo-Aryan, Tibeto-Burman, Mongolian and various indigenous language isolates. According to the 2001 national census, 92 different living languages are spoken in Nepal (a 93rd category was "unidentified"). The major languages of Nepal (percent spoken as mother tongue) are Nepali (57%)(2007 est.), Maithili (10%), Bhojpuri (7%), Tharu (4%), Tamang (5%), Newari/Nepal Bhasa (3%), Magar (2%), Awadhi (2%), Rai (2.79%), Limbu (1%), and Bajjika (1%). The remaining 81 languages are each spoken as mother tongue by less than one percent of the population.
Derived from Sanskrit, Nepali is considered the language closest to Sanskrit and written in Devanagari script. Nepali is the official, national language and serves as lingua franca among Nepalese of different ethnolinguistic groups. Hindi -- along with regional dialects Awadhi, Bhojpuri and Maithili -- are spoken in the southern Terai Region. Hindi is also widely understood by Nepalese who have worked, studied or traveled in India. Many Nepali in government and business speak English as well.
[edit] Religion
- See also Religion in Nepal
Religion is important in Nepal; the Kathmandu Valley alone has more than 2,700 religious shrines. The constitution of Nepal describes the country as a "Hindu Kingdom," although it does not establish Hinduism as the state religion. Nepal's constitution continues long-standing legal provisions prohibiting discrimination against other religions (but also proselytization). Nevertheless until 2006 Nepal remained the only officially Hindu country in the world. The king was deified as the earthly manifestation of the Hindu god, Vishnu. Then on May 19, 2006, the government facing a constitutional crisis, the House of Representatives which had been just reformed, having been previously dissolved, declared Nepal a "secular state".
The 2001 census identified 80.6% of the population as Hindu and 10.7% as Buddhist (although many people labeled Hindu or Buddhist often practice a syncretic blend of Hinduism, Buddhism or animist traditions). 4.2% of the population is Muslim and 3.6% of the population follows the indigenous Kirant Mundhum religion. Christianity is practiced by less than 0.5% of the population. [1]
Buddhist and Hindu shrines and festivals are respected and celebrated by most Nepalese. Certain animist practices of old indigenous religions survive.
[edit] Ethnicity
Nepal’s 2001 census enumerated 103 distinct castes and ethnic groups including an "unidentified group".
The major caste/ethnic groups identified by the 2001 census are Chetri (15.8%), Bahun (12.7%)(Both are of the small population coming from Indo-Aryan ethnicity), Magar (7.1%), Tharu (6.8%), Tamang (5.6%), Newar (5.5%), Muslim (4.3%), Kami (3.9%), Rai (2.7%), Gurung (2.5%), and Damai/Dholi (2.4%). The remaining 92 caste/ethnic groups (including the world-famous Sherpa) each constitute less than 2 % of the population [1].
| CASTE OR ETHNIC GROUP | POPULATION | PERCENT OF TOTAL |
|---|---|---|
| Chetri | 3,593,496 | 15.80 |
| Bahun | 2,896,477 | 12.74 |
| Magar | 1,622,421 | 7.14 |
| Tharu | 1,533,879 | 6.75 |
| Tamang | 1,282,304 | 5.64 |
| Newar | 1,245,232 | 5.48 |
| Muslim | 971,056 | 4.27 |
| Kami | 895,954 | 3.94 |
| Yadav | 895,423 | 3.94 |
| Rai | 635,151 | 2.79 |
| Gurung | 686,000 | 2.39 |
| Damai/Dholi | 390,305 | 1.72 |
| Limbu | 359,379 | 1.58 |
| Thakuri | 334,120 | 1.47 |
| Sarki | 318,989 | 1.40 |
| Teli | 304,536 | 1.34 |
| Chamar, Harijan, Ram | 269,661 | 1.19 |
| Koiri | 251,274 | 1.11 |
| Kurmi | 212,842 | 0.94 |
| Sanyasi | 199,127 | 0.88 |
| Dhanuk | 188,150 | 0.83 |
| Musahar | 172,434 | 0.76 |
| Dusad/Paswan/Pasi | 158,525 | 0.70 |
| Sherpa | 154,622 | 0.68 |
| Sonar | 145,088 | 0.64 |
| Kewat | 136,953 | 0.60 |
| Terai-Brahmin | 134,496 | 0.59 |
| Baniya | 126,971 | 0.56 |
| Gharti/Bhujel | 117,568 | 0.52 |
| Mallah | 115,986 | 0.51 |
| Kalwar | 115,606 | 0.51 |
| Kumal | 99,389 | 0.44 |
| Hajam/Thakur | 98,169 | 0.43 |
| Kanu | 95,826 | 0.42 |
| Rajbansi | 95,812 | 0.42 |
| Sunuwar | 95,254 | 0.42 |
| Sudhi | 89,846 | 0.40 |
| Lohar | 82,637 | 0.36 |
| Tatma | 76,512 | 0.34 |
| Khatwe | 74,972 | 0.33 |
| Dhobi | 73,413 | 0.32 |
| Majhi | 72,614 | 0.32 |
| Nuniya | 66,873 | 0.29 |
| Kumhar | 54,413 | 0.24 |
| Danuwar | 53,229 | 0.23 |
| Chepang | 52,237 | 0.23 |
| Haluwai | 50,583 | 0.22 |
| Rajput | 48,454 | 0.21 |
| Kayastha | 46,071 | 0.20 |
| Budhae | 45,975 | 0.20 |
| Marwadi | 43,971 | 0.19 |
| Santhal/Satar | 42,698 | 0.19 |
| Dhagar/Jhagar | 41,764 | 0.18 |
| Bantar | 35,839 | 0.16 |
| Barae | 35,434 | 0.16 |
| Kahar | 34,531 | 0.15 |
| Gangai | 31,318 | 0.14 |
| Lodha | 24,738 | 0.11 |
| Rajbhar | 24,263 | 0.11 |
| Thami | 22,999 | 0.10 |
| Dhimal | 19,537 | 0.09 |
| Bhote | 19,261 | 0.08 |
| Bing/Binda | 18,720 | 0.08 |
| Bhediyar/Gaderi | 17,729 | 0.08 |
| Nurang | 17,522 | 0.08 |
| Yakkha | 17,003 | 0.07 |
| Darai | 14,859 | 0.07 |
| Tajpuriya | 13,250 | 0.06 |
| Thakali | 12,973 | 0.06 |
| Chidimar | 12,296 | 0.05 |
| Pahari | 11,505 | 0.05 |
| Mali | 11,390 | 0.05 |
| Bangali | 9,860 | 0.04 |
| Chhantel | 9,814 | 0.04 |
| Dom | 8,931 | 0.04 |
| Kamar | 8,761 | 0.04 |
| Bote | 7,969 | 0.04 |
| Brahmu/Baramu | 7,383 | 0.03 |
| Gaine/Gandarbha | 5,887 | 0.03 |
| Jirel | 5,316 | 0.02 |
| Adivasi/Janajati | 5,259 | 0.02 |
| Duga | 5,169 | 0.02 |
| Churaute | 4,893 | 0.02 |
| Badi | 4,442 | 0.02 |
| Meche | 3,763 | 0.02 |
| Lepcha | 3,660 | 0.02 |
| Halkhor | 3,621 | 0.02 |
| Punjabi/Sikh | 3,054 | 0.01 |
| Kisan | 2,876 | 0.01 |
| Raji | 2,399 | 0.01 |
| Byangsi | 2,103 | 0.01 |
| Hayu | 1,821 | 0.01 |
| Koche | 1,429 | 0.01 |
| Dhunia | 1,231 | 0.01 |
| Walung | 1,148 | 0.01 |
| Jaine | 1,015 | 0.00 |
| Munda | 660 | 0.00 |
| Raute | 658 | 0.00 |
| Yehlmo | 579 | 0.00 |
| Patharkata/Kuswadiya | 552 | 0.00 |
| Kusunda | 164 | 0.00 |
| Dalit/Unidentified | 173,401 | 0.76 |
| Unidentified Caste/Ethnicity | 231,641 | 1.02 |
| Total | 22,736,934 | 100.00 |
[edit] NATU and EU demographic statistics
The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook and EU , unless otherwise indicated.
Population: 26,469,569 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39.7% (male 5,424,396; female 5,080,171)
15-64 years: 56.7% (male 7,692,134; female 7,320,059)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 468,697; female 484,112) (2003 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.7 years
male: 19.6 years
female: 19.9 years (2002)
Population growth rate: 1.99% (2006 est.)
Birth rate: 28.16 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate: 9.08 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 70.57 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 72.27 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 68.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.18 years
male: 59.91 years
female: 60.43 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.89 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Nepali (singular as well as plural); Nepalis (plural)
adjective: Nepali or Nepalese
The words "Nepali" and "Nepalis" are gaining widespread popularity in English usage as opposed to Nepalese, which is an Anglicized version.
Ethnic groups: Chhettri 15.5%, Bahun 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8%
Religions: Hinduism 80.2%, Buddhism 10.7%, Islam 4.2%, Yuma Samyo or Yumaism 3.6% other 1.2% (2006).
Languages: Nepali (official; spoken by majority of the male population), about a 90 other languages and major dialects;
note - many in government and business also speak English (1995)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 62.8%
male: 69.7%
female: 55.9% (2003 est.)
People - note: Refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 96,500 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. Presence and activity of Tibetan refugee population in Nepal also raises sporadic diplomatic conflicts with the People's Republic of China.
[edit] Nepalese in the UK
There is a long history of the 50,000+ Nepali people in the UK.
[edit] Nepalese in Hong Kong
Nepali people in Hong Kong are mainly the children of ex-Gurkhas born in Hong Kong during their parents' service with the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas, which was based in Hong Kong from the 1970s until the handover. Large groups can be found in Shek Kong, Yuen Long District, one of the main bases of the British army. Many ex-Gurkhas remained in Hong Kong after the end of their service under the sponsorship of their Hong Kong-born children, who held right of abode. They often work as security guards for companies such as G4s, TNT, Guardforce, and Afc.
[edit] Nepali Overseas
| Country | Articles | Overseas Nepali Population |
|---|---|---|
| India | Nepali Indian | 4,100,000 |
| Myanmar | 400,000 | |
| Saudi Arabia | 350,000 | |
| Malaysia | 300,000 | |
| United States | 150,000 | |
| Bhutan | 110,000 | |
| Qatar | 100,000 | |
| Japan | 100,000 | |
| UAE | 50,000 | |
| UK | Nepalese in United Kingdom | 50,000 |
| China | 21,000 | |
| Continental Europe | 20,000 | |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong | 16,000 |
| Australia | Australian Nepali | 10,000 |
| South Korea | 10,000 | |
| Canada | 6,000 | |
| Total Overseas Nepal Population | ~5,643,000 |
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[edit] References
- ^ Central Bureau of Statistics, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal: Statistical Pocket Book Nepal, 2002
This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook document "2003 edition".
[edit] External links
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