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Nepal’s twelfth national census, the National Population and Housing Census 2078 (2021), is the main source for population questions in Lok Sewa. This note lists the key figures: total population, sex ratio, growth rate, density, the most and least populous areas, literacy, languages, castes and religions.
1. About the census
- Nepal holds a census every 10 years; the first census was in 1968 BS (1911).
- The 2078 BS (2021) census was the 12th census.
- It was conducted by the National Statistics Office (formerly the Central Bureau of Statistics).
2. Key figures of Census 2078
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total population | 2,91,64,578 (about 29.16 million) |
| Male | 1,42,53,551 |
| Female | 1,49,11,027 |
| Sex ratio | 95.59 males per 100 females |
| Annual population growth rate | 0.92%, the lowest in recent censuses |
| Households | about 66.7 lakh (6.67 million) |
| Population density | 198 persons per sq km |
| Literacy rate (5 years and above) | 76.2% |
| Absent population (living abroad) | about 21.9 lakh (2.19 million) |
3. Districts and provinces
| Fact | Place |
|---|---|
| Most populous district | Kathmandu (about 20.4 lakh) |
| Least populous district | Manang (5,658) |
| Most populous province | Madhesh Province |
| Second most populous province | Bagmati Province |
| Least populous province | Karnali Province |
| Most densely populated district | Kathmandu |
More than half of the population now lives in areas classified as municipalities, so the urban share has risen sharply since local restructuring in 2073 BS.
4. Castes, languages and religions
- 142 castes and ethnic groups were recorded; the largest is Chhetri (about 16.5%), followed by Brahmin (Hill), Magar and Tharu.
- 124 languages were reported as mother tongues.
- Largest mother tongue: Nepali (about 44.9%), then Maithili (about 11%) and Bhojpuri (about 6.2%).
- Religions: Hindu (about 81.2%), Buddhist (about 8.2%), Islam (about 5.1%), Kirat (about 3.2%) and Christian (about 1.8%).
5. Population trends
- Females outnumber males mainly because many men work abroad.
- The growth rate has fallen because of lower birth rates and migration.
- Population is moving from the hills and mountains to the Terai and cities.
- World Population Day is observed on 11 July.
6. Census 2068 and Census 2078 compared
| Item | Census 2068 (2011) | Census 2078 (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,64,94,504 | 2,91,64,578 |
| Annual growth rate | 1.35% | 0.92% |
| Sex ratio (males per 100 females) | 94.16 | 95.59 |
| Literacy rate (5 years and above) | 65.9% | 76.2% |
| Population density (per sq km) | 180 | 198 |
Population grew by about 26.7 lakh in ten years, but more slowly than before. Literacy rose by about 10 percentage points.
7. Short history of census in Nepal
- 1968 BS (1911): first census, a simple head count during the Rana period.
- 2009–2011 BS (1952/54): first census done on modern, scientific lines.
- Since then a census has been held about every 10 years: 2018, 2028, 2038, 2048, 2058, 2068 and 2078 BS.
- 2078 BS: the 12th census, and the first one run by the National Statistics Office (renamed from the Central Bureau of Statistics).
8. Why census data matters
- Seats and constituencies: population figures are used to draw election constituencies.
- Fiscal transfers: the NNRFC uses population as one basis for sharing revenue and equalisation grants among provinces and local levels.
- Planning: numbers of children, elderly and households guide plans for schools, health posts, water and housing.
- Inclusion: caste, language and disability data help design policies for marginalised groups.
9. How this topic is asked in the exam
- Objective: total population, sex ratio, growth rate, density, literacy rate, the most and least populous district and province, and the number of castes (142) and languages (124).
- Short answer: “Write the main features of Census 2078” or “Why is the female population higher than the male population?”
- Comparison: use the table in section 6 to show how Nepal’s population changed between 2068 and 2078.
📌 Key points to remember
- Census 2078 (2021) was Nepal’s 12th census; first census in 1968 BS.
- Total population: 2,91,64,578.
- Females (1,49,11,027) outnumber males (1,42,53,551); sex ratio 95.59.
- Growth rate: 0.92% per year; density: 198 per sq km.
- Literacy rate: 76.2%.
- Most populous district: Kathmandu; least: Manang.
- Most populous province: Madhesh; least: Karnali.
- 142 castes/ethnic groups and 124 languages; Chhetri is the largest group; Nepali the largest mother tongue.
- Hindu about 81%, Buddhist about 8%.
📝 Quiz
Test yourself: Population of Nepal
50 questions check what you read about About the census, Districts and provinces and Population trends. Each attempt picks 25 at random.
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