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Nepal
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BASIC FACTS


Capital
Kathmandu

Language
The official language is Nepali, but is only spoken by about half the population. There are numerous other languages, with Tibetan being the second most common language.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Area size
143000 sq. km

Area comparison
Approximatley half the size of Finland

Population
2009 29.3 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007 27.8 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006 27.5 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2005 27.1 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2004 26.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2003 26.0 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2002 25.5 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2001 25.0 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2000 24.4 million U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
49.0 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)


PEOPLE

Language
The official language is Nepali, but is only spoken by about half the population. There are numerous other languages, with Tibetan being the second most common language.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Population
2009 29.3 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007 27.8 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006 27.5 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2005 27.1 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2004 26.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2003 26.0 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2002 25.5 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2001 25.0 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2000 24.4 million U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
49.0 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)

Ethnic groups
Nepali 53 percent, Bihari 18 percent. Other ethnic groups include the Tharu, Tamang, Newar, Magar and Abadhi.
Source: NI World Guide

Religion
Hinduism, the official religion, is practised by 86 percent of the population. There are also Buddhist (8 percent), Muslim (4 percent) and Christian minorities.
Source: NI World Guide

Percentage urban population
2007 16.7 percent U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005
2006 16.2 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2005 15.8 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2004 15.3 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2003 14.8 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2002 14.4 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2001 14.0 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2000 13.4 percent U.N. DESA (2005)

Year women granted right to vote
1951
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.

Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
No data available (2005)

Percentage of population under 15
2005 39.0 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 39.5 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 39.9 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 40.2 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 40.5 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 41.0 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002


USEFUL INFORMATION

Time zone
GMT +5 3/4

Climate description
Nepal has a wide range of climatic conditions from tropical forest to snow-capped mountains and glaciers. The main rainy season is between late June to September with hot temperatures. The remainder of the year has warm and settled weather. Rainfall decreases from east to west.

Currency
Rupee

Telephone dialling code
(+) 977

Driving (left/right)
Left


STANDARD OF LIVING

Average life expectancy
2005 62.6 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 62.1 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 61.6 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 59.9 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 59.1 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 58.6 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - male
2005 62.1 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 61.6 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 61.2 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 59.9 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 59.4 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 58.8 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - female
2005 62.9 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 62.4 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 62.0 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 59.4 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 58.9 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 58.3 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Infant mortality
2007 43 per 1,000 live births U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006 46 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005 56 per 1,000 live births U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007
2004 59 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003 61 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 66 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 66 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 72 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
2007 55 per 1,000 live births U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006 59 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005 74 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
2004 76 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003 82 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 91 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2000 100 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Births attended by skilled personnel
1997-2005 11 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1996-2004 15 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1995-2003 11 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002 11 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001 11 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000 12 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Maternal mortality
2005 830 per 100,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2000 740 per 100,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2006

Human development index (HDI rank)
2005 142 UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 138 UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 136 UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 140 UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 143 UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 142 UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
2000-2007 45 percent U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2000-2006 39 percent UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
1996-2005 48 percent UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
1996-2004 48 percent UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
1995-2003 48 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002 48 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001 48 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000 47 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of undernourished population
2003-2005 15 percent U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2008
2002-2004average 17 percent U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006
2001-2003average 17 percent FAO 2006

Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.
Population with access to improved water
2006 89 percent UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004 90 percent UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006
2002 84 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000 88 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Population with access to improved sanitation
2006 27 percent UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004 35 percent UNICEF and WHO 2006
2002 27 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000 28 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Literacy - average
2004 48.6 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 48.6 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 44 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 42.9 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 41.8 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - male
2004 62.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 62.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 61.6 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 60.5 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 59.6 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - female
2004 34.9 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 34.9 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 26.4 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 25.2 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 24.0 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Landlines telephones
2008 28 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2007 25 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2006 22 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2005 18 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2004 16 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2003 14 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2002 13 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2001 12 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2000 11 per 1,000 people ITU 2009

Cellular telephone subscribers
2008 116 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2007 116 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2006 42 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2005 8 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2004 4 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2003 3 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2002 0.9 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2001 0.7 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2000 0.4 per 1,000 people ITU 2009

Internet users
2008 14 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2007 14 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2006 11 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2005 8 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2004 5 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2003 4 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2002 3 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2001 2 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2000 2 per 1,000 people ITU 2009

Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)
2008 121 (joint) Transparency International 2008
2007 131 (joint) Transparency International 2007
2006 121 (joint) Transparency International
2005 107 (joint) Transparency International
2004 90 (joint) Transparency International
2003 Not ranked
2002 Not ranked
2001 Not ranked
2000 Not ranked

Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Yes (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report


ECONOMY & AID

Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day
1990-2005 24.1 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004 24.1 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003 37.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1990-2002 37.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2001 37.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

GNI per capita, Atlas method
2007 350 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006 320 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005 300 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004 270 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003 250 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002 230 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001 230 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000 220 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.
GDP
2007 10.3 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006 9.0 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005 8.2 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004 7.3 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003 6.3 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002 6.1 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001 6.0 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000 5.5 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Annual GDP growth
2006 2.8  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2005 3.1  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2004 4.7  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2003 3.9  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2002 0.1  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2001 5.6  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2000 6.1  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008

Annual inflation
2007 7.7 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006 7.0 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005 6.5 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004 4.2 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003 3.1 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002 3.9 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001 11.0 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000 4.5 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
2.6 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
40.6 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008


HEALTH

Physicians
2000-2004 21 per 100,000 people UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004 21 per 100,000 people UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003 5 per 100,000 people UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2002 4 per 100,000 people UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
2007 0.5 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2006 0.5 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2005 0.5 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2004 0.5 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2003 0.5 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008

Malaria
Risk from P.vivax throughout the year in the rural areas of 20 Terai districts bordering with India. Also in parts of the inner Terai valleys of Udaypur, Sindhupalchowk, Makwanpur, Chitwan and Dang. P.falciparum resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO

TB cases
2007 173 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2006 176 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2005 180 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2004 184 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2003 187 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2002 191 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2001 195 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2000 199 per 100,000 people WHO 2009


CONFLICT & MIGRATION

Number of refugees originating here
2008 4189 UNHCR
2007 3363 UNHCR
2006 2647 Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2005 2065 UNHCR
2004 1461 UNHCR
2003 1231 UNHCR
2002 902 UNHCR
2001 306 UNHCR
2000 235 UNHCR

Number of refugees residing here
2008 122332 UNHCR
2007 128181 UNHCR
2006 128175 UNHCR
2005 126436 UNHCR
2004 124928 UNHCR
2003 123667 UNHCR
2002 132436 UNHCR
2001 130945 UNHCR
2000 129237 UNHCR

Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
2007 50000 - 70000 Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) 2008
2006 100000 - 200000 IDMC 2006
2005 100000 - 200000 IDMC 2006

Landmine casualties per year
2007 104 Landmine Monitor Report 2008
2006 169 Landmine Monitor Report 2008
2004 At least 132 Landmine Monitor Report 2005
2003 At least 76 Landmine Monitor Report 2004

Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
No
Source: Landmine Monitor Report

Percentage of GDP spent on military
2005 2.1 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 1.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 1.6 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005

Percentage of GDP spent on education
2002-2005 3.4 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2002-2004 3.4 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2000-2002 3.4 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1999-2001 3.4 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1998-2000 3.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage of GDP spent on health
2004 1.5 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2003-2004 1.5 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2002 1.4 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2001 1.5 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2000 0.9 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003


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Last updated:Sun Nov 29 13:53:55 2009