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4. 1 Population Distribution by Geographical Region
There is unequal distribution of population in different geographical regions in Nepal.
Terai region has the highest population distribution where as mountain region has the
least population distribution. The following table shows the population distribution by
geographical regions in Nepal.
Table: Population Distribution by Geographical Regions

Area Census Year

Geographical 2001 A.D. or 2058 B. S. 2011 A.D. or 2068 B.S.
Regions Sq. %
km . Population Population
Population Population
% %
Mountain 51817 35 1687859 7.3 1781792 6.73
Region

Hilly Region 61345 42 10251111 44.3 11394007 43.0

Terai Region 34019 23 11212453 48.4 13318705 50.27

Source: CBS 2001 and 2011 A.D.

In the above table, we can see that mountain region covers 35% of total area of Nepal. The
population of mountain region decreased to 6.7% in 2011 A.D. from 7.3% in 2001 A.D. Hilly
region covers 42% of total area of Nepal and population decreased slightly in 2011 A.D.
than that of 2001 A.D. Terai region covers only 23% of total area of Nepal. But more than
50% of total population live in terai region. There is gradual increase of population in terai
region because people from mountain and hilly region have migrated to terai region.

In Nepal, the population is not equally distributed in all the geographical regions. There
are several reasons behind it. Some of them are described as follows:

a. Land topography
Mountain region lies in the northern part of Nepal where there is presence of mountains,
rocky areas, steep slopes. Hilly region lies in the middle part of Nepal which consists
of hills, hillocks and slopy areas. Terai region lies in the southern part of Nepal which
consists of plain and flat land. Life is quite easier and comfortable in terai region than
in mountain and hilly region. Hence, people from other regions like to migrate to terai
region which has resulted into high population there.

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