Ethnic groups in Nepal explained

Ethnic groups in Nepal are delineated using language, ethnic identity or the caste system in Nepal. They are categorized by common culture and endogamy. Endogamy carves out ethnic groups in Nepal.[1]

Linguistic groups

Nepal's diverse linguistic heritage evolved from 2 major language groups: Indo-European languages, Tibeto-Burman languages. Nepal's languages are mostly either Indo-European or Sino-Tibetan, while only a very few of them are Austro-Asiatic and Dravidian.

Out of 123 languages of Nepal, the 48 Indo-European languages constitute the largest group in terms of the numeric strength of their speakers, nearly 82.1%[2] of population. Nepali, Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi, Tharu languages, Urdu, etc. fall in this group.

The Sino-Tibetan family of Nepal's languages forms a part of its Tibeto-Burman group. Though spoken by relatively fewer people than the Indo-European family (17.3% of population), it includes a greater number of languages, about 63 languages. Languages belonging to this group are Tamang, Nepal Bhasa (Newar), Magar, Limbu, etc.

Tribhuvan University began surveying and recording threatened languages in 2010 and the government intends to use this information to include more languages on the next Nepalese census.[3]

Mother Tongues

There were 124 mother tongues according to the "National Report on caste/ethnicity, language & religion", National Population and Housing Census 2021 in Nepal.111 were previously reported in the earlier census 2011 and 13 were newly found in the census 2021.

The newly added mother tongues were Bhote, Lowa, Chum/Nubri, Baragunwa, Nar-Phu, Ranatharu, Karmarong, Mugali, Tichhurong Poike, Sadri, Done, Munda/Mudiyari and Kewarat.[4]

Population by mother tongue and sex, NPHC 2021

RankMother TongueTotalPercentage
All MotherTongues29164578100
1Nepali1308445744.86
2Maithili322238911.05
3Bhojpuri18207956.24
4Tharu17140915.88
5Tamang14230754.88
6Bajjika11337643.89
7Avadhi8642762.96
8Nepalbhasha(Newari)8633802.96
9Magar Dhut8103152.78
10Doteli4948641.7
11Urdu4137851.42
12Yakthung/Limbu3504361.2
13Gurung3280741.12
14Magahi2301170.79
15Baitadeli1526660.52
16Rai1445120.5
17Achhami1414440.48
18Bantawa1380030.47
19Rajbanshi1301630.45
20Sherpa1178960.4
21Khash1175110.4
22Bajhangi996310.34
23Hindi983990.34
24Magar Kham917530.31
25Chamling890370.31
26Ranatharu777660.27
27Chepang583920.2
28Bajureli564860.19
29Santhali536770.18
30Danuwar499920.17
31Darchuleli456490.16
32Uranw/Urau388730.13
33Kulung379120.13
34Angika359520.12
35Majhi329170.11
36Sunuwar327080.11
37Thami268050.09
38Ganagai262810.09
39Thulung244050.08
40Bangla237740.08
41Ghale230490.08
42Sampang215970.07
43Marwadi213330.07
44Dadeldhuri213000.07
45Dhimal205830.07
46Tajpuriya203490.07
47Kumal184350.06
48Khaling165140.06
49Musalman162520.06
50Wambule152850.05
51Bahing/Bayung144490.05
52Yakkha142410.05
53Sanskrit139060.05
54Bhujel130860.04
55Bhote128950.04
56Darai121560.04
57Yamphu/Yamphe107440.04
58Nachhiring99060.03
59Hyolmo/Yholmo96580.03
60Dumi86380.03
61Jumli83380.03
62Bote76870.03
63Mewahang74280.03
64Puma67630.02
65Pahari59460.02
66Athpahariya55800.02
67Dungmali54030.02
68Jirel51670.02
69Tibetan50530.02
70Dailekhi49890.02
71Chum/Nubri42840.01
72Chhantyal42820.01
73Raji42470.01
74Thakali42200.01
75Meche42030.01
76Koyee41520.01
77Lohorung38840.01
78Kewarat34690.01
79Dolpali32440.01
80Done31000.01
81Mugali28340.01
82Jero/Jerung28170.01
83Karmarong26190.01
84Chhintang25640.01
85Lhopa23480.01
86Lapcha22400.01
87Munda/Mudiyari21070.01
88Manange20220.01
89Chhiling20110.01
90Dura19910.01
91Tilung19690.01
92Sign Language17840.01
93Byansi17060.01
94Balkura/Baram15390.01
95Baragunwa15360.01
96Sadri13470
97English13230
98Magar Kaike12250
99Sonaha11820
100Hayu/Vayu11330
101Kisan10040
102Punjabi8710
103Dhuleli7860
104Khamchi(Raute)7410
105Lungkhim7020
106Lowa6240
107Kagate6110
108Waling/Walung5450
109Nar-Phu4280
110Lhomi4130
111Tichhurong Poike4100
112Kurmali3970
113Koche3320
114Sindhi2910
115Phangduwali2470
116Belhare1770
117Surel1740
118Malpande1610
119Khariya1320
120Sadhani1220
121Hariyanwi1140
122Sam1060
123Bankariya860
124Kusunda230
125Others42010.01
126Not stated3460

Second Language

There were 25 languages that were being used as second language by more than 10 thousand population on each in the "National Report on caste/ethnicity, language & religion", National Population and Housing Census 2021 in Nepal, whereas there were only 18 such languages reported as second language in the earlier census 2011.

Population by second language and sex,  NPHC 2021

RankSecond LanguageTotalPercentage
Total29164578100
1No Second Language1402308648.08
2Nepali1348290446.23
3Maithili2676210.92
4Hindi2231060.76
5Bhojpuri1385720.48
6English1025610.35
7Tharu896060.31
8Bajjika860620.30
9Avadhi756510.26
10Urdu721280.25
11Tamang715690.25
12Magar Dhut541430.19
13Bhote452920.16
14Bantawa435360.15
15Nepalbhasha(Newari)326040.11
16Chamling292530.10
17Magahi291910.10
18Gurung236980.08
19Yakthung/Limbu197050.07
20Thulung171870.06
21Magar Kham168140.06
22Bahing/Bayung151040.05
23Rai143980.05
24Doteli143440.05
25Sampang142610.05
26Khaling103700.04
27Baitadeli95210.03
28Sherpa94350.03
29Sanskrit66150.02
30Achhami65220.02
31Angika61270.02
32Musalman60840.02
33Kulung60390.02
34Dumi58700.02
35Dadeldhuri55350.02
36Bangla54470.02
37Wambule52270.02
38Darchuleli42720.01
39Puma42710.01
40Rajbanshi41030.01
41Bote38910.01
42Mewahang36690.01
43Marwadi34490.01
44Nachhiring31760.01
45Tibetan31340.01
46Bajhangi26410.01
47Khash26070.01
48Chhintang21350.01
49Tilung17620.01
50Sunuwar15970.01
51Belhare14910.01
52Punjabi12740.00
53Dungmali12710.00
54Jero/Jerung12450.00
55Jumli11250.00
56Bajureli10760.00
57Dhimal9990.00
58Majhi9710.00
59Ghale9630.00
60Koyee9280.00
61Ranatharu8710.00
62Thami8590.00
63Danuwar8450.00
64Chepang8330.00
65Sign Language8280.00
66Bhujel7400.00
67Thakali7330.00
68Yakkha7040.00
69Santhali7030.00
70Chhiling6850.00
71Ganagai6440.00
72Lohorung6220.00
73Kumal6150.00
74Kagate6150.00
75Darai5910.00
76Khamchi(Raute)5260.00
77Magar Kaike5150.00
78Hyolmo/Yholmo5080.00
79Yamphu/Yamphe4940.00
80Dailekhi4340.00
81Chhantyal3940.00
82Hayu/Vayu3490.00
83Koche3350.00
84Jirel3320.00
85Athpahariya3200.00
86Balkura/Baram3070.00
87Waling/Walung3040.00
88Manange3040.00
89Dura2780.00
90Uranw/Urau2450.00
91Lapcha2420.00
92Sindhi2170.00
93Tajpuriya2090.00
94Dhuleli1870.00
95Pahari1420.00
96Lhopa1290.00
97Dolpali1270.00
98Sadhani1250.00
99Sadri1060.00
100Baragunwa890.00
101Phangduwali850.00
102Hariyanwi840.00
103Sam790.00
104Malpande780.00
105Raji760.00
106Meche750.00
107Tichhurong Poike720.00
108Surel640.00
109Kurmali600.00
110Bankariya420.00
111Kewarat380.00
112Sonaha350.00
113Karmarong340.00
114Kisan330.00
115Byansi320.00
116Kusunda320.00
117Lungkhim280.00
118Mugali230.00
119Others1590.00
120Not stated81050.03

Social status

Hill status i.e. (Brahmin/Bahun and Chhetri castes) and the upper-caste segments of Newars dominated the civil service, the judiciary and upper ranks of the army throughout the Shah regime (1768–2008). Nepali was the national language and Sanskrit became a required school subject. Children who spoke Nepali natively and who were exposed to Sanskrit had much better chances of passing the national examinations at the end of high school, which meant they had better employment prospects and could continue into higher education.Caste system, prevalent among Hindus, was made illegal in 1961 by Naya Muluki ain. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Caste/ethnicity in Nepal by population

The populations of 125 Nepalese castes groups were recorded in the 2011 Nepal census.[2] [10] [11]

However,there were 142 castes/ethnicities according to the "National Report on caste/ethnicity, language & religion", National Population and Housing Census 2021 in Nepal, out of which 125 were previously reported in the earlier census 2011 and 17 were newly found in the census 2021.

The newly added castes/ethnicities were Ranatharu, Bhumihar, Bankariya, Surel, Chumba/Nubri, Phree, Mugal/Mugum, Pun, Rauniyar, Baniyan, Gondh/Gond, Karmarong, Khatik, Beldar, Chai/Khulaut, Done and Kewarat.

The Madeshi Commission also removed Muslims and Tharus from the list of Madeshis in 2021. In the surname listing of ‘Surname Enumeration of Madheshi Community in Nepal -2078 B.S.' conducted by the Madheshi Commission, Tharus in sub-group-1 and Muslims in sub-group-2 have been removed.[12]

List of Castes/Ethnicities by population in Nepal-2011

RankCaste & Tribal groups Population (2011)Percentage (%)
1Chetri4,398,05318.80
23,226,903 14.18
3Magar1,887,7337.12
4Tharu1,737,4706.56
5Tamang1,539,8305.81
61,321,9334.99
7Kami1,258,5544.75
8Nepali Musalman1,164,2554.39
9Yadav1,054,4583.98
10Rai620,0042.34
11Gurung522,6411.97
12Damai/Dholi472,8621.78
13Thakuri425,6231.61
14Limbu387,3001.46
15Sarki374,8161.41
16Teli369,6881.40
17Chamar/Harijan/Ram335,8931.27
18Kushwaha306,3931.16
19Musahar234,4900.89
20Kurmi231,1290.87
21Sanyasi/Dasnami227,8220.86
22Dhanuk219,8080.83
23209,0530.79
24Dusadh/Pasawan/Pasi208,9100.79
25Mallaha173,2610.65
26Kewat153,7720.58
27Kathbaniya138,6370.52
28Brahmin-Terai134,1060.51
29Kalwar128,2320.48
30Kumal121,1960.45
31Bhujel118,6500.44
32Hajam/Thakur117,7580.43
33Rajbanshi115,2420.43
34Sherpa112,946 0.41
35Dhobi109,0790.40
36Tatma/Tatwa104,8650.38
37Lohar101,4210.38
38Khatwe100,9210.35
39Sudhi93,115 0.32
40Danuwar84,1150.32
41Majhi83,7270.30
42Barai80,5970.28
43Bin75,1950.27
44Nuniya70,5400.26
45Chepang68,3990.24
46Sonar64,3350.24
47Kumhar62,3990.21
48Sunuwar55,7120.21
49Bantar/Sardar55,1040.21
50Kahar53,1590.20
51Santhal51,7350.20
52Marwadi51,4430.19
53Kayastha44,3040.17
54Rajput/Terai Kshetriya41,9720.16
55Badi38,6030.15
56Jhangar/Uraon37,4240.14
57Gangai (Ganesh & Mandal)36,9880.12
58Lodh32,8370.11
59Badhaee28,9320.11
60Thami28,6710.11
61Kulung28,6130.1
62Bengali26,5820.1
63Gaderi/Bhediyar/Gangajali26,3750.1
64Dhimal26,2980.09
65Yakkha24,3360.09
66Ghale22,8810.07
67Tajpuriya19,2130.07
68Khawas18,5130.06
69Darai16,7890.06
70Mali14,9950.06
71Dhuniya14,8460.05
72Pahari13,6150.05
73Rajdhob13,4220.05
74Bhote13,3970.05
75Dom13,2680.05
76Thakali13,2150.05
77Kori12,2760.04
78Chhantyal11,8100.04
79Hyolmo10,7520.04
80Bote10,3970.04
81Rajbhar9,5420.03
82Brahmu/Baramo8,1400.03
83Punjabi7,1760.03
84Nachhring7,1540.03
85Yamphu6,9330.03
86Gaine6,7910.03
87Chamling6,6680.02
88Athpahariya5,9770.02
89Jirel5,7740.02
90Dura5,3940.02
91Sarabaria4,9060.02
92Meche4,8670.02
93Bantawa4,6040.02
94Raji4,2350.02
95Dolpo4,1070.02
96Halkhor4,0030.01
97Byansi/Sauka3,8950.01
98Amat3,8300.01
99Thulung3,5350.01
100Lepcha3,4450.01
101Pathakatta/Kushwadia3,1820.01
102Mewahang3,1000.01
103Bahing3,0960.01
104Natuwa3,0620.01
105Hayu2,9250.01
106Dhankar/Dharikar2,6810.01
107Lhopa2,6240.01
108Munda2,3500.0087
109Dev2,1470.0081
110Dhandi1,9820.0075
111Kamar1,7870.0067
112Kisan1,7390.0066
113Sampang1,6810.0063
114Koche1,6350.0062
115Lhomi1,6140.0061
116Khaling1,5710.0059
117Topkegola1,5230.0057
118Chidimar1,2540.0047
119Walung1,2490.0047
120Lohorung1,1530.0044
121Kalar1,0770.004
122Raute6180.002
123Nurang2780.001
124Kusunda2730.001
Foreigners6,6510.03
Others/Undefined275,6701.04%
Total26,494,504100.00%
List of Castes/Ethnicities by population in Nepal- NPHC 2021
RankCaste/ethnicityTotalTotal %
Total 29164578100
1Kshetri479699516.45
2Brahman - Hill329237311.29
3Magar20134986.9
4Tharu18071246.2
5Tamang16398665.62
6Bishwokarma14700105.04
7Musalman14186774.86
8Newa: (Newar)13413634.6
9Yadav12285814.21
10Rai6406742.2
11Pariyar5659321.94
12Gurung5437901.86
13Thakuri4944701.7
14Mijar4522291.55
15Teli4313471.48
16Yakthung/Limbu4147041.42
17Chamar/Harijan/Ram3932551.35
18Koiri/Kushwaha3557071.22
19Kurmi2777860.95
20Musahar2649740.91
21Dhanuk2521050.86
22Dusadh/Pasawan/Pasi2509770.86
23Brahman - Tarai2177740.75
24Mallaha2070060.71
25Sanyasi/Dasnami1988490.68
26Kewat1842980.63
27Kanu1528680.52
28Hajam/Thakur1364870.47
29Kalwar1349140.46
30Rajbansi1325640.45
31Sherpa1306370.45
32Kumal1297020.44
33Tatma/Tatwa1260180.43
34Khatwe1240620.43
35Gharti/Bhujel1202450.41
36Majhi1113520.38
37Nuniya1087230.37
38Sundi1073800.37
39Dhobi1010890.35
40Lohar1006800.35
41Bin969740.33
42Kumhar957240.33
43Sonar933800.32
44Chepang/Praja843640.29
45Ranatharu833080.29
46Danuwar827840.28
47Sunuwar789100.27
48Haluwai717960.25
49Baraee680110.23
50Bantar/Sardar616870.21
51Kahar598820.21
52Santhal573100.2
53Baniyan536550.18
54Kathabaniyan524660.18
55Badhaee/Badhee524370.18
56Oraon/Kudukh468400.16
57Rajput465770.16
58Amat464710.16
59Gangai414460.14
60Lodh398720.14
61Gaderi/Bhediyar354970.12
62Ghale354340.12
63Marwadi338030.12
64Kayastha335020.11
65Kulung333880.11
66Thami327430.11
67Bhumihar321990.11
68Rajbhar292400.1
69Rauniyar272580.09
70Dhimal256430.09
71Khawas225510.08
72Tajpuriya209890.07
73Kori206700.07
74Dom199010.07
75Mali196050.07
76Darai186950.06
77Yakkha174600.06
78Bhote158180.05
79Bantawa157190.05
80Rajdhob153910.05
81Dhunia150330.05
82Pahari150150.05
83Bangali138000.05
84Gondh/Gond122670.04
85Chamling121780.04
86Chhantyal/Chhantel119630.04
87Thakali117410.04
88Badi114700.04
89Bote112580.04
90Pun98270.03
91Hyolmo/Yholmopa98190.03
92Khatik91520.03
93Yamphu91110.03
94Kewarat88090.03
95Baram / Baramu78590.03
96Dev74180.03
97Nachhiring73000.03
98Gaine69710.02
99Bahing65470.02
100Thulung62390.02
101Jirel60310.02
102Khaling58890.02
103Aathpahariya58780.02
104Dolpo58180.02
105Sarbaria57930.02
106Mewahang57270.02
107Byasi/Sauka57180.02
108Dura55810.02
109Meche51930.02
110Raji51250.02
111Sampang48410.02
112Chai/Khulaut48050.02
113Chumba/Nubri44140.02
114Dhankar/ Dharikar40900.01
115Munda35890.01
116Lepcha35780.01
117Pattharkatta/ Kushwadiya33430.01
118Hayu30690.01
119Beldar30370.01
120Halkhor29290.01
121Natuwa28960.01
122Loharung25980.01
123Kamar25320.01
124Dhandi23390.01
125Done21250.01
126Mugal/Mugum21240.01
127Punjabi/Sikh18460.01
128Karmarong16630.01
129Chidimar16150.01
130Kisan14790.01
131Lhopa13900
132Kalar9310
133Phree9210
134Koche8470
135Topkegola6420
136Raute5660
137Walung4810
138Lhomi3550
139Surel3180
140Kusunda2530
141Bankariya1800
142Nurang360
Others58880.02
Foreigner1374070.47
Not stated44360.02
Broad Ethnic Categories of Nepal (2011 Census)!Rank!Broad Ethnic Category!Sub-Category!Sub-CategoryPercentage!Linguistic family!Population Percentage
1Khas-Arya(Hill Group)Chhetri16.60%39.37%
Brahmin 12.18%
Dalit8.12%
Thakuri 1.61%
Sanyasis/Dashnami0.86%
2JanajatisHill: Sherpas, Tamangs, Magars, Ghale, Kirat (Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar), Gurungs etc.22.28%30.81%
Terai: Tharu, Rajbanshi, Dhimal, etc.8.53%Indo-Aryan, Austroasiatic, Sino-Tibetan languages
3NewarsNewar (Middle)3.1%Sino-Tibetan5.5%
Newar (Low)0.4%
Newar (Buddhists)0.8%
Newar (Upper)1.1%
4Madhesi(Terai Caste Group)Madhesi (Middle)9.97%Indo-Aryan23.43%
Madhesi (Dalit)4.50%
Madhesi (Nepali Muslims)4.39%
Madhesi (Low)3.86%
Madhesi (High) Maithili Brahmins, Rajput/Terai Kshetriya, Thakur, etc.2.5%
5Other(Marwadi, Bengali and Punjabi)Indo-Aryan0.32%
6Undefined and Foreigners1.07%
Total100%

Religion

According to "National Report on caste/ethnicity, language & religion", National Population and Housing Census 2021 the number of religions adopted by the individuals in census 2021 and 2011 were as follows:

Census 2021Census 2011
ReligionPopulationPercentReligionPopulationPercent
Hindu2367774481.19Hindu2155149281.34
Bouddha23935498.21Bouddha23960999.04
Islam14830665.09Islam11623704.39
Kirat9242043.17Kirat8071693.05
Christian5123131.76Christian3756991.42
Prakrit1020480.35Prakriti1219820.46
Bon672230.23 Bon130060.05
Jain23980.01Jain32140.01
Bahai5370.00Bahai12830.00
Sikha14960.01Sikha6090.00
Unidentified-colspan="2" -Unidentified615810.23
Total29164578100Total26494504100

References

Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mishra . Pramod . 2020-08-26 . Endogamy, hierarchy and violence . 2023-06-07 . . English.
  2. Web site: Population Monograph of Nepal Volume II (Social Demography).
  3. Tumbahang. Govinda Bahadur. 2010. Marginalization of indigenous languages of Nepal. Contributions to Nepalese Studies. 37. 69. Expanded Academic.
  4. Web site: National Population and Housing Census 2021 National Report on Caste/ethnicity, Language & Religion .
  5. Highlights . OCHA Nepal Situation Overview . 12 . April 2007 . . 2011-05-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091113112940/http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004CE90B/(httpDocuments)/B66F206172F49BE4C12572D50030C3F0/$file/OCHA+overview+no+12+April+07.pdf . 13 November 2009 .
  6. Highlights . OCHA Nepal Situation Overview . 16 . July–August 2007 . . 2011-05-07.
  7. Highlights . OCHA Nepal Situation Overview . 30 . June–July 2008 . . 2011-05-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100218090410/http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004CE90B/(httpDocuments)/5CC0BE0C971587F2C1257496004A9B9E/$file/ocha+sitrep+12+july08.pdf . 18 February 2010 .
  8. Web site: Body of murder victim found in Gulmi . The Himalayan Times online . Gulmi . Hari . Sharma . 2010-11-18 . 2011-05-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120525142109/http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Body+of+murder+victim+found+in+Gulmi&NewsID=266104 . 25 May 2012 .
  9. Web site: Hatlebakk . Magnus . 2007 . Economic and social structures that may explain the recent conflicts in the Terai of Nepal . . Norwegian Embassy . 2011-05-08 . 2011-07-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110724190445/http://www.norway.org.np/NR/rdonlyres/0993F5660B3548A98F819167B4FD596C/72944/http___wwwcmi.pdf . dead .
  10. Web site: POPULATION MONOGRAPH OF NEPAL . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170918043750/https://cbs.gov.np/image/data/Population/Population%20Monograph%20of%20Nepal%202014/Population%20Monograph%20V02.pdf . 2017-09-18 . 2018-06-30 . 191.
  11. Web site: Nepal Census 2011.
  12. News: Why the Madheshi Commission removed Muslims and Tharus from the list of Madheshis? .