Nepal

Nepal

Introduction

Background

In 1951, the Nepali monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. An insurgency led by Maoist extremists broke out in 1996. The ensuing ten-year civil war between insurgents and government forces witnessed the dissolution of the cabinet and parliament and assumption of absolute power by the king. Several weeks of mass protests in April 2006 were followed by several months of peace negotiations between the Maoists and government officials, and culminated in a November 2006 peace accord and the promulgation of an interim constitution. Following a nation-wide election in April 2008, the newly formed Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic and abolished the monarchy at its first meeting the following month. The Constituent Assembly elected the country’s first president in July. The Maoists, who received a plurality of votes in the Constituent Assembly election, formed a coalition government in August 2008, but resigned in May 2009 after the president overruled a decision to fire the chief of the army staff. The Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist and the Nepali Congress party then formed a new coalition government with several smaller parties. The prime minister’s resignation in June 2010 ushered in seven months of political gridlock until Jhala Nath KHANAL was elected as replacement in February 2011. His pressing tasks are to conclude the drafting of a new constitution by the late May 2011 deadline and to determine the future of the former Maoist combatants.

Geography

Location

Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic coordinates

28 00 N, 84 00 E

Map references

Asia

Area

total: 147,181 sq km
country comparison to the world: 94 land:143,351 sq km
water:3,830 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly larger than Arkansas

Land boundaries

total: 2,926 km
border countries:China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

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

Terrain

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

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m
highest point:Mount Everest 8,850 m

Natural resources

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

Land use

arable land: 16.07%
permanent crops:0.85%
other:83.08% (2005)

Irrigated land

11,680 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

210.2 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 10.18cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%)
per capita:375cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

severe thunderstorms

flooding

landslides

drought and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons

Environment – current issues

deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives)

contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents)

wildlife conservation

vehicular emissions

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Marine Life Conservation

Geography – note

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 – on the borders with China and India respectively

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Nepali (singular and plural)
adjective:Nepali

Ethnic groups

Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 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% (2001 census)

Languages

Nepali (official) 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census)
note:many in government and business also speak English (2001 est.)

Religions

Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)

Population

29,391,883 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41

Age structure

0-14 years: 34.6% (male 5,177,264/female 4,983,864)
15-64 years:61.1% (male 8,607,338/female 9,344,537)
65 years and over:4.4% (male 597,628/female 681,252) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 21.6 years
male:20.7 years
female:22.5 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.596% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Birth rate

22.17 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78

Death rate

6.81 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143

Net migration rate

0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

Urbanization

urban population: 19% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:4.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

KATHMANDU (capital) 990,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.88 male(s)/female
total population:0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

380 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 38

Infant mortality rate

total: 44.54 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 55 male:44.54 deaths/1,000 live births
female:44.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 66.16 years
country comparison to the world: 163 male:64.94 years
female:67.44 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.47 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85

Health expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 116

Physicians density

0.21 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
country comparison to the world: 150

Hospital bed density

5 beds/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 39

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 93% of population
rural: 87% of population
total: 88% of population
unimproved:
urban: 7% of population
rural: 13% of population
total: 12% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 51% of population
rural: 27% of population
total: 31% of population
unimproved:
urban: 49% of population
rural: 73% of population
total: 69% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

64,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51

HIV/AIDS – deaths

4,700 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease:Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

38.8% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 7

Education expenditures

4.6% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 79

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:48.6%
male:62.7%
female:34.9% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 9 years
male:10 years
female:8 years (2003)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
conventional short form:Nepal
local long form:Sanghiya Loktantrik Ganatantra Nepal
local short form:Nepal

Government type

federal democratic republic

Capital

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)

Administrative divisions

14 zones (anchal, singular and plural)

Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti

Independence

1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)

National holiday

Republic Day, 29 May

Democracy Day, 24 April

Constitution

15 January 2007 (interim Constitution)

note – in April 2008, a Constituent Assembly was elected to draft and promulgate a new constitution by May 2010, but the deadline has been extended

Legal system

English common law and Hindu legal concepts

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Ram Baran YADAV (since 23 July 2008)

Vice President Paramananda JHA (since 23 July 2008)
head of government:Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI (since 29 August 2011)

Deputy Prime Ministers Bijay Kumar GACHCHADAR (since 29 August 2011) and Narayan Kaji SHRESTHA
cabinet:cabinet was formed in May 2009 by a majority coalition made up of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist, Nepali Congress, Madhesi People’s Rights Forum, Nepal-Democratic, and several smaller parties
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by Parliament

term extends until the new constitution is promulgated

election last held on 21 July 2008

date of next election NA
election results:Ram Baran YADAV elected president by the Constituent Assembly in a second round of voting on 21 July 2008

Ram Baran YADAV 308, Ram Jaja Prasad SINGH 282

Legislative branch

unicameral Constituent Assembly (601 seats

240 members elected by direct popular vote, 335 by proportional representation, and 26 appointed by the Cabinet (Council of Ministers))
elections:last held on 10 April 2008 (next to be held NA)
election results:percent of vote by party – CPN-M 38%, NC 19%, CPN-UML 18%,Madhesi People’s Right Forum 9%, other 11%

seats by party – CPN-M 229, NC 115, CPN-UML 108, Madhesi People’s Rights Forum 54, Terai Madhes Democratic Party 21, other smaller parties 74

note – 26 seats filled by the new Cabinet are included in the totals above

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (the president appoints the chief justice on recommendation of the Constitutional Council

the chief justice appoints other judges on the recommendation of the Judicial Council)

Political parties and leaders

Chure Bhawar Rastriya Ekata Party [Keshav Prasad MAINALI]

Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (inactive)

Communist Party of Nepal-Marxist Leninist or CPN-ML [C.P. MAINALI]

Communist Party of Nepal-Unified [Raj Singh SHRIS]

Communist Party of Nepal-United [Chandra Dev JOSHI]

Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist or CPN-UML [Jhalanath KHANAL]

Dalit Janajati Party [Vishwendraman PASHWAN]

Federal Democratic National Forum

Madhesi People’s Rights Forum-Democratic [Bijay Kumar GACHHADAR]

Madhesi People’s Rights Forum-Nepal [Upendra YADAV]

Nepal Loktantrik Samajbadi Dal [Upendra GACHCHHADAR]

Nepal Pariwar Dal [Eknath DHAKAL]

Nepal Sadbhavana Party-Anandi Devi [Sarita GIRI]

Nepal Workers and Peasants Party or [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE]

Nepali Congress or NC [Sushil KOIRALA]

Nepali Janata Dal [Harish Chandra SHA]

Newa Rastriya Party [Keshav Man SHAKYA]

Rastriya Janamorcha [Chitra Bahadur K.C.]

Rastriya Janamukti Party [Malwar Singh THAPA]

Rastriya Janashakti Party or RJP [Surya Bahadur THAPA]

Rastriya Prajantantra Party [Pashupati Shumsher RANA]

Rastriya Prajantantra Party Nepal [Kamal THAPA]

Sadbhavana Party [Rajendra MAHATO]

Samajbadi Prajatantrik Janata Party Nepal [Prem Bahadur SINGH]

Terai Madhes Democratic Party [Mahantha THAKUR]

Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, also known as PRACHANDA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

other: several small armed Madhesi groups along the southern border with India

a variety of groups advocating regional autonomy for individual ethnic groups

International organization participation

ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Shankar Prasad SHARMA
chancery:2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 667-4550
FAX:[1] (202) 667-5534
consulate(s) general:New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Scott H. DELISI
embassy:Maharajgunj, Kathmandu
mailing address:use embassy street address
telephone:[977] (1) 400-7200
FAX:[977] (1) 400-7272

Flag description

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:Nepal is the only country in the world whose flag is not rectangular or square

National symbol(s)

rhododendron blossom

National anthem

name: “Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka” (Hundreds of Flowers)
lyrics/music:Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG
note: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

Economy

Economy – overview

Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world, with almost one-quarter of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for three-fourths of the population and accounting for about one-third of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower, with an estimated 42,000 MW of feasible capacity, but political instability hampers foreign investment. Additional challenges to Nepal’s growth include its landlocked geographic location, civil strife and labor unrest, and its susceptibility to natural disaster.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$35.81 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102 $34.25 billion (2009 est.)
$32.66 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$15.84 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

4.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79 4.9% (2009 est.)
6.1% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$1,200 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206 $1,200 (2009 est.)
$1,200 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 32.8%
industry:14.4%
services:52.8% (2010 est.)

Labor force

18 million
country comparison to the world: 32 note:severe lack of skilled labor (2009 est.)

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 75%
industry:7%
services:18% (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

46% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190 42% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line

24.7% (2008)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%:40.6% (2008)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

47.2 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 30 36.7 (1996)

Investment (gross fixed)

3.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185

Budget

revenues: $3 billion
expenditures:$4.6 billion (FY10)

Taxes and other revenues

18.9% of GDP (FY10)
country comparison to the world: 163

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-10.1% of GDP (FY10)
country comparison to the world: 195

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199 11.6% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127 8% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.175 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108 $2.587 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$10.34 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101 $8.508 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$8.069 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100 $6.695 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.843 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78 $5.485 billion (31 December 2009)
$4.894 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

pulses, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, jute, root crops

milk, water buffalo meat

Industries

tourism, carpets, textiles

small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills

cigarettes, cement and brick production

Industrial production growth rate

1.8% (FY08)
country comparison to the world: 136

Electricity – production

2.6 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129

Electricity – consumption

2.525 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity – imports

70 million kWh (2008 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208

Oil – consumption

20,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199

Oil – imports

13,740 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

Current account balance

-$449 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 108 -$227.4 million (2009)

Exports

$901.9 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 155 $837.4 million (2008)

Exports – commodities

clothing, pulses, carpets, textiles, juice, pashima, jute goods

Exports – partners

India 61.7%, US 7.5%, Germany 4.6%, Bangladesh 4.1% (2010)

Imports

$5.016 billion (2009)
country comparison to the world: 113 $4.266 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

petroleum products, machinery and equipment, gold, electrical goods, medicine

Imports – partners

India 56.2%, China 22.5% (2010)

Debt – external

$4.5 billion (2009)
country comparison to the world: 117 $3.285 billion (2008)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

Nepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar -
72.56 (2010)
77.44 (2009)
65.21 (2008)
70.35 (2007)
72.446 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

47 (2010)
country comparison to the world:93

Airports – with paved runways

total: 11
over 3,047 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:9
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 36
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:4
under 914 m:31 (2010)

Railways

total: 59 km
country comparison to the world: 130 narrow gauge:59 km 0.762-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 17,282 km
country comparison to the world: 118 paved:10,142 km
unpaved:7,140 km (2007)

Military

Military branches

Nepal Army (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service

15 years of age for military training

no conscription (2011)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 6,941,152
females age 16-49:7,618,397 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 5,260,878
females age 16-49:5,947,512 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 380,172
female:367,103 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 92

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

joint border commission continues to work on contested sections of boundary with India, including the 400 square kilometer dispute over the source of the Kalapani River

India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents and illegal cross-border activities

approximately 106,000 Bhutanese Lhotshampas (Hindus) have been confined in refugee camps in southeastern Nepal since 1990

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 107,803 (Bhutan)

20,153 (Tibet/China)
IDPs:50,000-70,000 (remaining from ten-year Maoist insurgency that officially ended in 2006

displacement spread across the country) (2007)

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets

transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West