Page 71 - Health, Population and Environment Education 9

Muslim 4.27 4.39 Chamar, 1.19 1.27
Harijan,
Ram
Kami 3.94 4.75 Koiri 1.11 1.16
Yadav 3.94 3.98
Rai 2.79 2.34
Source: CBS, 2001 B.S. and 2011 B.S.
The above table lists castes of people having more than 1% population. According to 2011
A.D. census, there are 107 castes having less than 1% population and 18 castes having more
than 1% population. People having more population in Nepal in 20011 A.D. are Kshetris,
Brahmins, Magars, Tharus, Tamangs and Newars. The population of Kshetris was 15.8%
in 2001 A.D. which is increased to 16.6% in 2011 A.D. The number of Bramins decreased
from 12.74% in 2001 A.D. to 12.18% in 2011 A.D. Similarly, the number of people of major
castes, top in list decreased in 2011 A.D. than in 2001 A.D. except Tamangs, Muslims,
Kamis, etc.

D. Composition of population by languages (Mother tongue)
The distribution of population on the basis of language people speak is called as
composition of population by language.
Nepal is a multi – lingual country. According to 2011 A.D. census, there are 123 languages
spoken in Nepal. In 2001 A.D. census, 92 languages were identified in Nepal. The list of
mother tongue spoken by more than 1% population in Nepal is as follows:

Table: Composition of Population by Language (Mother Tongue)
Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage
Language Language
in 2001 A.D. in 2011 A.D. in 2001 A.D. in 2011 A.D.
Nepali 48.61 44.64 Magar 3.39 2.98
Maithili 12.30 11.67 Doteli – 2.97
Bhojpuri 7.53 5.98 Urdu 0.77 2.61
Tharu 5.86 5.77 Awadhi 2.47 1.89
Tamang 5.19 5.11 Limbu 1.47 1.30
Newari 3.63 3.20 Gurung 1.49 1.23
Bagika – 2.99 Baitadeli – 1.03
Source: CBS 2058 and 2068 (2011 A.D.)
According to 2011 A.D. census, 14 languages are spoken by more than 1 % population
whereas 109 languages are spoken by less than 1 % population in Nepal. The major
languages spoken in Nepal are Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newari,
Bagika, etc. Among them, majority of people speak Nepali language. According to 2011
A.D. census, 44. 64 % of total population speak Nepali language which is 4 % less than
that of 2001 A.D. census. It has been observed that the number of people speaking almost
all the languages is decreased in 2011 A.D. than that of 2001 A.D.
GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9 71