Nepal has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades. According to the 2021 national census, Nepal's population reached approximately 29.2 million, up from about 26.5 million in 2011. This growth is attributed to a combination of factors, including a declining mortality rate, improvements in healthcare, and a relatively high birth rate, although the rate of growth has slowed in recent years. Urbanization has also contributed to population shifts, with more people moving to cities like Kathmandu in search of better economic opportunities. Despite the overall increase, Nepal's population growth rate has been gradually declining, reflecting global trends of reduced fertility rates as access to education and family planning improves.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 8,989,915 | 62.7 |
| 1955 | 9,479,233 | 66.1 |
| 1960 | 10,034,723 | 70 |
| 1965 | 10,862,394 | 75.8 |
| 1970 | 11,918,678 | 83.1 |
| 1975 | 13,145,618 | 91.7 |
| 1980 | 14,612,664 | 101.9 |
| 1985 | 16,438,782 | 114.7 |
| 1990 | 18,649,113 | 130.1 |
| 1995 | 21,358,915 | 149 |
| 2000 | 23,486,982 | 163.8 |
| 2005 | 25,254,661 | 176.2 |
| 2010 | 26,662,624 | 186 |
| 2015 | 28,645,436 | 199.8 |
| 2020 | 30,175,326 | 210.5 |
| 2022 | 30,666,598 | 213.9 |
| 2023 | 30,899,443 | 215.6 |
| 2024 | 31,122,387 | 217.1 |
| 2025 | 31,334,402 | 218.6 |
| 2030 | 32,340,917 | 225.6 |
| 2035 | 33,250,249 | 231.9 |
| 2040 | 34,035,993 | 237.4 |
| 2045 | 34,703,481 | 242.1 |
| 2050 | 35,274,683 | 246.1 |
| 2055 | 35,716,902 | 249.2 |
| 2060 | 35,974,118 | 251 |
| 2065 | 36,026,586 | 251.3 |
| 2070 | 35,849,817 | 250.1 |
| 2075 | 35,427,921 | 247.1 |
| 2080 | 34,764,368 | 242.5 |
| 2085 | 33,892,632 | 236.4 |
| 2090 | 32,874,359 | 229.3 |
| 2095 | 31,781,026 | 221.7 |
| 2100 | 30,669,276 | 213.9 |
Data from US Census International Database