Nepal People - 1986

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Population: 17,422,000 (July 1986), average annual growth rate 2.5%

Nationality: noun—Nepalese (sing, and pl.); adjective—Nepalese

Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas, as well as many smaller groups

Religion: only official Hindu kingdom in world, although no sharp distinction between many Hindu (about 88%) and Buddhist groups; small groups of Muslims and Christians

Language: Nepali (official); 20 mutually unintelligible languages divided into numerous dialects

Infant mortality rate: 143/1,000 (1983)

Life expectancy: men 47, women 45

Literacy: 20%

Labor force: 4.1 million; 93% agriculture, 5% services, 2% industry; great lack of skilled labor

NOTE: The information regarding Nepal on this page is re-published from the 1986 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Nepal 1986 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Nepal 1986 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.