Nepal Population
South Asia · 52nd most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
29,659,767
The population of Nepal is about 29,659,767 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 29.6 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.36% of the world's people.
Nepal is ranked 52nd of 217 by population. Growth has nearly stopped: the population changes by only 0.04% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 34.6 million. That is 2.9 times its 1960 population of 10.1 million. Population density is 207 people per square kilometre. 67% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
29.6 million
Yearly change
+0.04%
World rank
52nd
Share of world
0.36%
Density
207/km²
Land area
143,350 km²
Life expectancy
70.6 yrs
Births per woman
1.96
GDP per capita
$1,536
GDP
$45.5B
Population of Nepal, 1960–2050
Nepal population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 10,123,658 | — | 71 |
| 1970 | 12,436,190 | +2.21% | 87 |
| 1980 | 15,553,105 | +2.39% | 108 |
| 1990 | 19,524,573 | +2.45% | 136 |
| 2000 | 24,546,509 | +1.75% | 171 |
| 2010 | 27,341,952 | +0.62% | 191 |
| 2020 | 28,966,574 | +1.94% | 202 |
| 2024 | 29,651,054 | −0.15% | 207 |
| 2026proj. | 29,629,410 | +0.04% | 207 |
| 2030proj. | 30,509,996 | +0.92% | 213 |
| 2040proj. | 32,909,537 | +0.64% | 230 |
| 2050proj. | 34,642,027 | +0.41% | 242 |
Nepal vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 6.0 times as many people as Nepal. Bangladesh is 6.6 times more densely populated.
Nepal population: questions and answers
What is the population of Nepal in 2026?
About 29,629,410 (29.6 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Nepal's population growing?
Yes, by about 0.04% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Nepal?
About 207 people per km², with a land area of 143,350 km².
What will the population of Nepal be in 2050?
About 34.6 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Nepal?
Kathmandu.
What is the life expectancy in Nepal?
70.6 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.