Nepal Records Lowest Population Growth Rate in 80 Years, NSO Report Reveals

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s population growth rate has hit a historic low, standing at 0.92 percent per annum over the past decade, according to a report unveiled by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Sunday. This rate marks the lowest growth recorded in the country in the last eight decades, indicating a significant demographic shift.

Dhundi Raj Lamichhane, director of the NSO, highlighted the notable decrease in population growth, emphasizing that it was less than one percent per year during the review period. The current population of Nepal is estimated to be around 29.2 million, with a growth of 2.7 million recorded between mid-April 2011 and mid-April 2021.

Regionally, Lumbini Province saw the highest population growth rate at 13.8 percent, while Karnali Province recorded the highest life expectancy of 72.5 years, with women outliving men at 75.5 years. Conversely, Lumbini Province reported the lowest life expectancy at 69.5 years.

The NSO report also highlighted significant improvements in healthcare indicators, with the national average life expectancy reaching 71.3 years. Notably, the infant mortality rate decreased from 40 per 1,000 babies in 2011 to 17 per 1,000 in 2021, reflecting improved healthcare services.

Furthermore, the report indicated a decline in the reproductive rate to 1.94 children per woman, falling below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. This trend is accompanied by shifts in migration patterns, with Gandaki Province witnessing the highest internal migration rate and Sudurpashchim Province leading in outbound migration.

The study also revealed variations in the average age of childbirth across provinces, with Karnali Province reporting the lowest average age at 26.9 years, while Bagmati Province recorded a higher average age at 28.4 years.

Overall, the NSO report provides critical insights into Nepal’s changing demographic landscape, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for the country’s future development.