Page 75 - Health, Population and Environment Education 9

Density of Population in Nepal

Census Year Population Densty (in sq. km)
1911 A.D. (1968 B.S.) 38.8
1920 A.D. (1977 B.S.) 38.3
1930 A.D.(1887 B.S.) 38.0
1941 A.D. (1998 B.S.) 43.2
1952/54 A.D. (2009/11 B.S.) 56.8
1961 A.D. (2018 B.S.) 64.6
1971 A.D. (2028 B.S) 79.5
1981 A.D. (2038 B.S) 102.2
1991 A.D. (2048 B.S.) 125.6
2001 A.D. (2058 B.S.) 157.0
2011 A.D. (2068 B.S.) 180.0
Source: CBS 2011 A.D.

According to the first census in 1911 A.D or 1968 B.S., the population density in Nepal
was 38.8 per sq. km. which increased to 43. 2 per sq. km in 30 years in 1941 A.D. or 1998
B.S. There is huge increase of population density to 102. 2 per sq. km in 1981 A.D. or 2038
B.S. from 79.5 per sq. km. in 1971 A.D. or 2028 B.S. Since then, there is rapid increase of
population density in every census. The huge increase of population density indicates the
huge increase of population in Nepal. Since 1971 A.D. or 2028 B.S. onwards, there is rapid
increase of population in Nepal due to which there is increase of population density.

Population density by geographical regions

Geographically, Nepal is divided into three regions as mountain, hilly and terai region. The
population density of all these regions vary a lot. Mountain region has least population
density where as terai region has the highest population density. The least density in
mountain region is due to difficult land topography and climate. The highest population
density in terai region is due to plain land and availability of several facilities like health
services, education , transportation, cultivable land, etc.

The following table shows population density by geographical regions:
Table: Population density by geographical regions

Census Year Mountain Region Hilly Region Terai Region
1991 A.D. (2048 B.S.) 27.8 per sq. km 137.1 per sq. km 253.8 per sq. km
2001 A.D. (2058 B.S.) 33 per sq. km 167 per sq. km 330 per sq. km
2011 A.D. (2068 B.S.) 34 per sq. km 186 per sq. km 392 per sq. km
Source: CBS, 1991, 2001 and 2011 A.D.
According to the above table, population density of mountain region in 1991 A.D. or 2048
B.S. was 27. 8 per sq. km which reached 34 per sq. km in 2011 A.D. or 2068 B.S. This
GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9 75