Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Nepal
Nepal: Share of population living in urban and rural areas was 67.0% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Nepal, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in urban and rural areas in Nepal is 67.0%, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
The figure is up 0.3% on the previous year and up 3.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban and rural areas in Nepal peaked at 67.0% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 2.7%, in 1950.
Nepal ranks 113th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 3.1% | 2.7% | 3.5% | 10 |
| 1960s | 3.7% | 3.5% | 3.9% | 10 |
| 1970s | 7.6% | 3.9% | 13.4% | 10 |
| 1980s | 17.2% | 14.6% | 19.2% | 10 |
| 1990s | 24.0% | 19.8% | 29.5% | 10 |
| 2000s | 44.4% | 31.1% | 59.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 64.5% | 62.0% | 66.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 66.5% | 66.1% | 67.0% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
More population data for Nepal
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.6% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.41 million people (2100)
- Population density 222.05 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.6% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.96 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 19,598 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.96 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.96 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 1.2% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 1.98 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban and rural areas in Nepal?
- Share of population living in urban and rural areas in Nepal was 67.0% in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 67.0% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban and rural areas recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.7% in 1950.
- How does Nepal rank for share of population living in urban and rural areas?
- Nepal ranks 113th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nepal data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in urban and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.