Average annual growth rate lowest in eight decades
KATHMANDU, JANUARY 26
The total population of Nepal is 29,192,480 with 14,901,169 females (51.04 per cent) and 14,291,311 males (48.96 per cent), says the preliminary data of decennial National Census-2021 published today.
It falls short by around 800,000 of the previously projected population.
It was the 12th national census and the first after promulgation of the constitution under the federal governance system. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, which conducted the census from November 11 to 25, the population of Nepal increased to 29,192,480 in 2021 from 26,494,504 in 2011, up 10.8 per cent.
The sex ratio is 95.91 males per 100 females in 2021 compared to 94.16 in 2011.
Annual average population growth rate during the period is 0.93 per cent, the lowest in the past eight decades.
It is also lower than the annual average global population growth rate of 1.01 per cent.
The CBS, which released the preliminary results online, attributed the slow growth rate to the migration of Nepalis abroad for jobs, better lifestyle, and studies. The census data indicated that 2,169,478 Nepalis were living in foreign countries. Of them, 81.28 per cent were males. There was an increase in outward migration of women by 71 per cent over 10 years, with 461,003 Nepali women living outside Nepal.
There are a total of 6,761,059 households in Nepal, an increase of around 24.57 per cent compared to the last 2011 National Census with an addition of 1,333,757 households.
All these households live in 5,643,945 houses. It means that an average of 12 families live in 10 houses.
The average household size is 4.32 members, which was 4.88 per cent in 2011.
The average household size in urban areas is 4.25 members compared to 4.55 members in rural areas. It is 4.27 in mountains, 3.95 in hills and 4.65 in the Tarai.
As per the population distribution by geographical regions, 53.66 per cent of Nepalis live in the Tarai in 2021 compared to 50.27 per cent in 2011. The population in mountains and hills declined in 2021 to 6.095 per cent and 40.25 per cent, respectively, from 6.73 per cent and 43.01 per cent in 2011.
Province-wise, Madhes houses the highest population with 6,126,288 and Karnali the lowest (1,694,889). District-wise, Kathmandu has the highest population (2,017,532), whereas Manang is the lowest population (5,645).
The CBS said the final results of the census would be out within seven months.
Nepal has been conducting census since 1911.
Key census findings:
• Sex ratio: 95.91 males per 100 females
• Average household size: 4.32 members
• Most-populated region: Tarai, as 53.66 per cent of Nepalis live there
• Most populated district: Kathmandu, with a population of 2,017,532
A version of this article appears in the print on January 27, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
