South Asia
Living in Nepal
Photo: Kathmandu Valley with the Himalayas behind · Shadow Ayush, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
A landlocked Himalayan country with eight of the world's highest peaks, Kathmandu as its valley capital and low living costs. Editorial
The numbers
Main city climate11° to 25°CColdest and warmest month averages, Kathmandu · 2020
Average temperature19.1°CKathmandu (whole country 14.1°C) · 2020
Price level25%Of US prices for everyday goods and services · 2025
Average spending$419Per person per month (international $, PPP) · 2025
Income per person$6,200GDP per person a year (international $, PPP) · 2025
Unemployment10.5%Of the labour force · 2025
Homicides2.1Per 100,000 people a year · 2020
Life expectancy70.6 yearsAt birth · 2024
Clean air53 µg/m³Average fine-particle pollution (WHO guideline: 5) · 2023
Forest44%Of the land area · 2024
City dwellers67%Of people live in cities and towns · 2025
Tax revenue13.9%Of GDP · 2023
Language and getting around Editorial
- Languages: Nepali. Some English, mostly in cities and business.
- Public transport: Limited: daily life mostly needs a car or taxis.
- Geography: Landlocked, with mountain areas. Capital: Kathmandu.
Moving to Nepal
Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality, job, studies and family, and they change often. Start with the government's own website: www.immigration.gov.np.
Sources
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per person (PPP) | 6,175.16 international $ | 2025 | World Bank WDI |
| Unemployment | 10.47 % of labour force | 2025 | World Bank WDI (ILO estimate) |
| Intentional homicides | 2.13 per 100,000 people | 2020 | World Bank WDI (UNODC) |
| Political stability and absence of violence | -0.44 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Government effectiveness (public services) | -0.77 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth | 70.64 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Health spending per person | 83.96 US$ per person | 2023 | World Bank WDI (WHO) |
| Tax revenue | 13.94 % of GDP | 2023 | World Bank WDI (IMF) |
| People living in cities and towns | 67 % of population | 2025 | World Bank WDI (UN) |
| Forest area | 43.6 % of land | 2024 | World Bank WDI (FAO) |
| Fine-particle air pollution (PM2.5) | 53.2 µg/m³, annual mean | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Price level of household goods and services | 0.25 ratio, United States = 1 | 2025 | Calculated: PPP conversion factor (private consumption) / official exchange rate, World Bank WDI |
| Average household spending per person | 419 international $ per person per month | 2025 | Calculated: household consumption (PPP) / population / 12, World Bank WDI |
| Average temperature, whole country 1991-2020 | 14.1 °C | 2020 | World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CRU TS 4.08, 1991-2020) |
| Average temperature, main city | 19.1 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Coldest month average, main city | 11.1 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Warmest month average, main city | 24.8 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Rainfall, main city | 1,084 mm per year | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
Data checked 2 November 2026. National averages hide differences between cities and regions. Climate figures for Kathmandu are 2001–2020 averages.
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