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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. [3]
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% [4] 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% [4] 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. [5]
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. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
The population wise ranking of 125 Nepalese castes groups as per 2011 Nepal census. [4] [2] [note 1] [11]
| Rank | Caste & Tribal groups | Population (2011) | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chetri | 4,398,053 | 16.60 |
| 2 | Bahun | 3,226,903 | 12.18 |
| 3 | Magar | 1,887,733 | 7.12 |
| 4 | Tharu | 1,737,470 | 6.56 |
| 5 | Tamang | 1,539,830 | 5.81 |
| 6 | Newar | 1,321,933 | 4.99 |
| 7 | Kami | 1,258,554 | 4.75 |
| 8 | Nepali Musalman | 1,164,255 | 4.39 |
| 9 | Yadav | 1,054,458 | 3.98 |
| 10 | Rai | 620,004 | 2.34 |
| 11 | Gurung | 522,641 | 1.97 |
| 12 | Damai/Dholi | 472,862 | 1.78 |
| 13 | Thakuri | 425,623 | 1.61 |
| 14 | Limbu | 387,300 | 1.46 |
| 15 | Sarki | 374,816 | 1.41 |
| 16 | Teli | 369,688 | 1.40 |
| 17 | Chamar/Harijan/Ram | 335,893 | 1.27 |
| 18 | Kushwaha | 306,393 | 1.16 |
| 19 | Musahar | 234,490 | 0.89 |
| 20 | Kurmi | 231,129 | 0.87 |
| 21 | Sanyasi/Dasnami | 227,822 | 0.86 |
| 22 | Dhanuk | 219,808 | 0.83 |
| 23 | Kanu/Haluwai | 209,053 | 0.79 |
| 24 | Dusadh/Pasawan/Pasi | 208,910 | 0.79 |
| 25 | Mallaha | 173,261 | 0.65 |
| 26 | Kewat | 153,772 | 0.58 |
| 27 | Kathbaniya | 138,637 | 0.52 |
| 28 | Brahmin-Terai | 134,106 | 0.51 |
| 29 | Kalwar | 128,232 | 0.48 |
| 30 | Kumal | 121,196 | 0.45 |
| 31 | Bhujel | 118,650 | 0.44 |
| 32 | Hajam/Thakur | 117,758 | 0.43 |
| 33 | Rajbanshi | 115,242 | 0.43 |
| 34 | Sherpa | 112,946 | 0.41 |
| 35 | Dhobi | 109,079 | 0.40 |
| 36 | Tatma/Tatwa | 104,865 | 0.38 |
| 37 | Lohar | 101,421 | 0.38 |
| 38 | Khatwe | 100,921 | 0.35 |
| 39 | Sudhi | 93,115 | 0.32 |
| 40 | Danuwar | 84,115 | 0.32 |
| 41 | Majhi | 83,727 | 0.30 |
| 42 | Barai | 80,597 | 0.28 |
| 43 | Bin | 75,195 | 0.27 |
| 44 | Nuniya | 70,540 | 0.26 |
| 45 | Chepang | 68,399 | 0.24 |
| 46 | Sonar | 64,335 | 0.24 |
| 47 | Kumhar | 62,399 | 0.21 |
| 48 | Sunuwar | 55,712 | 0.21 |
| 49 | Bantar/Sardar | 55,104 | 0.21 |
| 50 | Kahar | 53,159 | 0.20 |
| 51 | Santhal | 51,735 | 0.20 |
| 52 | Marwadi | 51,443 | 0.19 |
| 53 | Kayastha | 44,304 | 0.17 |
| 54 | Rajput/Terai Kshetriya | 41,972 | 0.16 |
| 55 | Badi | 38,603 | 0.15 |
| 56 | Jhangar/Uraon | 37,424 | 0.14 |
| 57 | Gangai (Ganesh & Mandal) | 36,988 | 0.12 |
| 58 | Lodh | 32,837 | 0.11 |
| 59 | Badhaee | 28,932 | 0.11 |
| 60 | Thami | 28,671 | 0.11 |
| 61 | Kulung | 28,613 | 0.1 |
| 62 | Bengali | 26,582 | 0.1 |
| 63 | Gaderi/Bhediyar/Gangajali | 26,375 | 0.1 |
| 64 | Dhimal | 26,298 | 0.09 |
| 65 | Yakkha | 24,336 | 0.09 |
| 66 | Ghale | 22,881 | 0.07 |
| 67 | Tajpuriya | 19,213 | 0.07 |
| 68 | Khawas | 18,513 | 0.06 |
| 69 | Darai | 16,789 | 0.06 |
| 70 | Mali | 14,995 | 0.06 |
| 71 | Dhuniya | 14,846 | 0.05 |
| 72 | Pahari | 13,615 | 0.05 |
| 73 | Rajdhob | 13,422 | 0.05 |
| 74 | Bhote | 13,397 | 0.05 |
| 75 | Dom | 13,268 | 0.05 |
| 76 | Thakali | 13,215 | 0.05 |
| 77 | Kori | 12,276 | 0.04 |
| 78 | Chhantyal | 11,810 | 0.04 |
| 79 | Hyolmo | 10,752 | 0.04 |
| 80 | Bote | 10,397 | 0.04 |
| 81 | Rajbhar | 9,542 | 0.03 |
| 82 | Brahmu/Baramo | 8,140 | 0.03 |
| 83 | Punjabi | 7,176 | 0.03 |
| 84 | Nachhring | 7,154 | 0.03 |
| 85 | Yamphu | 6,933 | 0.03 |
| 86 | Gaine | 6,791 | 0.03 |
| 87 | Chamling | 6,668 | 0.02 |
| 88 | Athpahariya | 5,977 | 0.02 |
| 89 | Jirel | 5,774 | 0.02 |
| 90 | Dura | 5,394 | 0.02 |
| 91 | Sarabaria | 4,906 | 0.02 |
| 92 | Meche | 4,867 | 0.02 |
| 93 | Bantawa | 4,604 | 0.02 |
| 94 | Raji | 4,235 | 0.02 |
| 95 | Dolpo | 4,107 | 0.02 |
| 96 | Halkhor | 4,003 | 0.01 |
| 97 | Byansi/Sauka | 3,895 | 0.01 |
| 98 | Amat | 3,830 | 0.01 |
| 99 | Thulung | 3,535 | 0.01 |
| 100 | Lepcha | 3,445 | 0.01 |
| 101 | Pathakatta/Kushwadia | 3,182 | 0.01 |
| 102 | Mewahang | 3,100 | 0.01 |
| 103 | Bahing | 3,096 | 0.01 |
| 104 | Natuwa | 3,062 | 0.01 |
| 105 | Hayu | 2,925 | 0.01 |
| 106 | Dhankar/Dharikar | 2,681 | 0.01 |
| 107 | Lhopa | 2,624 | 0.01 |
| 108 | Munda | 2,350 | 0.0087 |
| 109 | Dev | 2,147 | 0.0081 |
| 110 | Dhandi | 1,982 | 0.0075 |
| 111 | Kamar | 1,787 | 0.0067 |
| 112 | Kisan | 1,739 | 0.0066 |
| 113 | Sampang | 1,681 | 0.0063 |
| 114 | Koche | 1,635 | 0.0062 |
| 115 | Lhomi | 1,614 | 0.0061 |
| 116 | Khaling | 1,571 | 0.0059 |
| 117 | Topkegola | 1,523 | 0.0057 |
| 118 | Chidimar | 1,254 | 0.0047 |
| 119 | Walung | 1,249 | 0.0047 |
| 120 | Lohorung | 1,153 | 0.0044 |
| 121 | Kalar | 1,077 | 0.004 |
| 122 | Raute | 618 | 0.002 |
| 123 | Nurang | 278 | 0.001 |
| 124 | Kusunda | 273 | 0.001 |
| Foreigners | 6,651 | 0.03 | |
| − | Others/Undefined | 275,670 | 1.04% |
| Total | 26,494,504 | 100.00% | |
| Rank | Broad Ethnic Category | Sub-Category | Sub-Category Percentage | Linguistic family | Population Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khas-Arya (Hill Group) | Chhetri | 16.60% | Indo-Aryan | 39.37% |
| Brahmin | 12.18% | ||||
| Dalit | 8.12% | ||||
| Thakuri | 1.61% | ||||
| Sanyasis/Dashnami | 0.86% | ||||
| 2 | Janajatis | Hill: Sherpas, Tamangs, Magars, Ghale, Kirat (Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar), Gurungs etc. | 22.28% | Sino-Tibetan | 30.81% |
| Terai: Tharu, Rajbanshi, Dhimal, etc. | 8.53% | Indo-Aryan, Austroasiatic, Sino-Tibetan languages | |||
| 3 | Newars | Newar (Middle) | 3.1% | Sino-Tibetan | 5.5% |
| Newar (Low) | 0.4% | ||||
| Newar (Buddhists) | 0.8% | ||||
| Newar (Upper) | 1.1% | ||||
| 4 | Madhesi (Terai Caste Group) | Madhesi (Middle) | 9.97% | Indo-Aryan | 23.43% |
| Madhesi (Dalit) | 4.50% | ||||
| Madhesi (Nepali Muslims) | 4.39% | ||||
| Madhesi (Low) | 3.86% | ||||
| Madhesi (High) Maithili Brahmins, Rajput/Terai Kshetriya, Thakur, etc. | 2.5% | ||||
| 5 | Other | − | Indo-Aryan | 0.32% | |
| 6 | Undefined and Foreigners | − | − | − | 1.07% |
| Total | 100% | ||||
The current population of Nepal is 29,164,578 as per the 2021 census. The population growth rate is 0.92% per year.
Newar or Newari, known officially in Nepal as Nepal Bhasa, is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Newar people, the indigenous inhabitants of Nepal Mandala, which consists of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions in Nepal.
Newar, or Nepami, are the historical inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley and its surrounding areas in Nepal and the creators of its historic heritage and civilisation. Newars form a linguistic and cultural community of primarily Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Burman ethnicities following Hinduism and Buddhism with Nepal Bhasa as their common language. Newars have developed a division of labour and a sophisticated urban civilisation not seen elsewhere in the Himalayan foothills. Newars have continued their age-old traditions and practices and pride themselves as the true custodians of the religion, culture and civilisation of Nepal. Newars are known for their contributions to culture, art and literature, trade, agriculture and cuisine. Today, they consistently rank as the most economically and socially advanced community in Nepal, according to the annual Human Development Index published by UNDP. Newars are ranked the 8th largest ethnic group in Nepal according to the 2021 Nepal census numbering 1,341,363 people constituting 4.6% of the total population.
Ranjitkar is one of the castes of Newar. The Newari caste system is divided according to profession. The Ranjitkar caste is concerned with the dyeing of clothes as well as other color related activities. The word "Ranjitkar" comes from Sanskrit origins crudely meaning "people concerned with colors" whereas the word "Chhipaa" is a Nepal Bhasa compound word which can be roughly translated as "color and allow to dry".
Buddhism in Nepal started spreading since the reign of Ashoka through Indian and Tibetan missionaries. The Kirati people were the first people in Nepal who embraced Gautama Buddha’s teachings, followed by the Licchavis and Newar people. Shakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini in the Shakya Kingdom. Besides Shakyamuni Buddha, there are many Buddha(s) before him who are worshipped in different parts of Nepal. Lumbini lies in present-day Rupandehi District, Lumbini zone of Nepal. Buddhism is the second-largest religion in Nepal. According to 2001 census, 10.74% of Nepal's population practiced Buddhism, consisting mainly of Tibeto-Burman-speaking ethnicities and the Newar. However, in the 2011 census, Buddhists made up just 9% of the country's population.
Khas tribe, popularly known as Khashya, according to the 2015 constitution of Nepal are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group native to the Himalayan region of the Indian subcontinent, in what is now the present-day South Asian country of Nepal, as well as the Indian states of Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Assam and Sikkim. Historically, Khas were the speakers of an ancient Khas language from the Indo-Aryan language family and the earliest recorded speakers of the Western Pahari languages. The large portion of the Indo-Aryan speakers throughout lower Himalayas were the Khas people. An intrusion of this tribe from the Western and Northwestern Himalayas into Central Himalayas is substantiated by the early linguistic evidences related to the Nepali language. They were also known as Parbatiyas/Parbates and are currently known as Paharis/Pahadis.. They were also referred to as Yartse in Tibet and are also known as Khasan by Bhotia people. The term Khas has now become obsolete, as the Khas people have adopted communal identities because of the negative stereotypes associated with the term Khas. In Nepal the native speaker of Nepali language are known as Khas people.
The culture of Nepal encompasses the various cultures belonging to the 125 distinct ethnic groups present in Nepal. The culture of Nepal is expressed through music and dance; art and craft; folklore; languages and literature; philosophy and religion; festivals and celebration; foods and drinks.
The Sunuwar or Koinch are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group. a Kirati tribe native to Nepal, parts of India and southern Bhutan. They speak the Sunuwar language. According to the 2001 census of Nepal, 17% of the tribe follow the Kirant religion and adopt the Mundhum (Kiranti) culture.
Gurung, also known as Tamu Kyi or Tamu Bhāṣā, is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Gurung people of Nepal. The total number of all Gurung speakers in Nepal was 227,918 in 1991 and 325,622 in 2011.
The Nepalese caste system was the traditional system of social stratification of Nepal. The Nepalese caste system broadly borrows the classical Hindu Chaturvarnashram model, consisting of four broad social classes or varna: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Sudra.
The Kirati people, also spelled as Kirant, are Sino-Tibetan ethnolinguistic groups and indigenous peoples of the Himalayas, mostly the Eastern Himalaya extending eastward from Nepal to Northern India (predominantly in the Indian States of Sikkim and Darjeeling & Kalimpong hills of northern West Bengal
Chitrakar is a caste within the Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The Newar caste system is divided according to profession. Accordingly, Chitrakars were painters and mask makers.
Newar caste system is the system by which Newārs, the historical inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley, are divided into groups on the basis of Vedic varna model and divided according to their hereditary occupations. First introduced at the time of the Licchavis, the Newar caste system assumed its present shape during the medieval Malla period. The Newar caste structure resembles more closely to North India and Madheshis than that of the Khas 'Parbatiyas' in that all four Varna and untouchables are represented. The social structure of Newars is unique as it is the last remaining example of a pre-Islamic North Indic civilisation in which Buddhist elements enjoy equal status with the Brahmanic elements.
The Dhimal or Dhemal are an Kirati ethnic group residing in the eastern Terai of Nepal. They are a Sino-Tibetan-speaking ethnic group of the eastern Terai. They mainly reside in Morang and Jhapa districts of Nepal and Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. They are respected as the "First Citizens" of Damak municipality.
Languages of Nepal, referred to as Nepalese languages in the country's constitution, are the languages having at least an ancient history or origin inside the sovereign territory of Nepal spoken by Nepalis. The 2011 national census listed 123 languages spoken as a mother tongue in Nepal. Most belong to the Indo-Aryan and Sino-Tibetan language families.
There are two dozen languages of Bhutan, all members of the Tibeto-Burman language family except for Nepali, which is an Indo-Aryan language, and Bhutanese Sign Language. Dzongkha, the national language, is the only native language of Bhutan with a literary tradition, though Lepcha and Nepali are literary languages in other countries. Other non-Bhutanese minority languages are also spoken along Bhutan's borders and among the primarily Nepali-speaking Lhotshampa community in South and East Bhutan. Chöke is the language of the traditional literature and learning of the Buddhist monastics.
Bahun, also known as Hill Brahmins, are a Brahmin varna among the Khas of Nepal. They are Sub caste of the Kanyakubja Brahmin while their origins are from Kannauj and the Himalayan belt of South Asia. According to the 2011 Nepal census, Bahun is the second most populous group after Chhetri.
The Pahadi people are an indigenous group of the Himalayas. Most Indo-Aryan Paharis, however, identify as members of constituent subgroups and castes within the larger Pahari community such as Brahmin, Kshatriya and Dalits.
The Śreṣṭha or is the second largest Newar caste group, occupying around 21% of overall Newar population, or about 1.1% of Nepal’s total population. It is believed that the word Srēṣṭha is derived from the Newar word Śeśyah, which itself is derivation of a Sanskrit word Sista meaning 'noble', although literal meaning of the word also translated to 'best or important.' "Shrestha" itself was later adopted as the specific family surname by members of this high-caste Hindu group, although there are over 50 other recognized surnames of Srēṣṭhas. Despite their numerically low national population, their high-status and socio-economic capital puts Śreṣṭhas amongst the most socio-economically privileged and politically over-represented segments of Nepali population.
Tagadhari are members of a Nepalese Hindu group that is perceived as historically having a high socio-religious status in society. Tagadhari are identified by a sacred thread (Janai) around the torso, which is used for ritualistic purposes in Hinduism. In Sanskrit the sacred thread is called yajñopavītam and in Nepali Janai. The cord is received after the Upanayana ceremony. Tagadharis were historically favoured by the government of Nepal and various religious and caste-based legal provisions were enacted on their behalf. The legal code of 1854, Muluki Ain, which was introduced by Chhetri Maharaja and Prime Minister of Nepal, Narsingh Jang Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji made it impossible to legally enslave Tagadharis and decreed fewer punishments for them in comparison to Matawali and Dalits.
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| Indo-Aryan |
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| Indo-Aryan of a distinct origin | |||||||||
| Other peoples (M, D, i) of Indus-Ganga |
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| Immigrants | |||||||||
| Other basis |
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 Nepalese diaspora (NRN) | |||||||||
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