Parts of this article (those related to Languages in Nepal by numbers of speakers) need to be updated. The reason given is: 2021 Nepal census.(March 2024) |
Languages of Nepal | |
---|---|
Official | Nepali |
Semi-official | Newar, Maithili, Limbu, Bhojpuri, Bajjika, Tamang, Magar, Gurung, Tharu, Awadhi, |
Indigenous | Many Indo-Aryan languages and Sino-Tibetan languages; Kurukh, Santali |
Vernacular | Nepalese English |
Foreign | English, Hindi |
Signed | Nepali Sign Language • Jhankot Sign Language • Jumla Sign Language • Ghandruk Sign Language |
Keyboard layout |
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.
There were 124 mother tongues according to the "National Report on caste/ethnicity, language & religion", National Population and Housing Census 2021 in Nepal.
Nepali accounted as a mother tongue for 44.86% while also being a second additional language for 46.2% of the total population. [1] Most belong to the Indo-Aryan and Sino-Tibetan language families.
The official working language at federal level is Nepali, but the constitution provisions each province to choose one or more additional official working languages. [2] The Language Commission of Nepal On September 6, 2021 recommended 14 official languages for different provinces of Nepal. [3]
The mother languages of Nepal, or languages of Nepali origin are sometimes referred to as Nepali languages. [4] [5]
According to the constitution of Nepal, "All languages spoken as the mother tongue in Nepal are the languages of the nation". [6] Many of the languages also have various dialects. For example, the Rai community has about 30 languages. Some of the languages are similar and may be considered as a dialect. sometimes the distinction between dialects or completely different languages is unclear and might differ in opinions from person to person. [7]
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, which are of the Indo-Aryan (Indic) sub-family (excluding English), constitute the largest group in terms of the numeric strength of their speakers, nearly 82.1% [8] 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% [8] 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.
The small declining number of Dravidian languages are represented by Kurux, and the Munda languages of the Austroasiatic family by Santali and Mundari.
The indigenous languages of Nepal that predated the influx of Indic, Tibeto-Burman, and other families barely survive in the Kusunda language, which is nearly extinct today. [9]
Nepal also has at several indigenous village sign languages: Jhankot Sign Language, Jumla Sign Language, and Ghandruk Sign Language, in addition to the Nepali Sign Language designed for national use. [10]
Language family | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Indo-European | 21,752,496 | 82.10% |
Sino-Tibetan | 4,584,871 | 17.31% |
Austro-Asiastic | 49,858 | 0.19% |
Dravidian | 33,651 | 0.13% |
Others/Not reported | 73,375 | 0.27% |
Total | 26,494,504 | 100% |
Part 1 of the Constitution of Nepal 2015 (2072 B.S.) contains these provisions about the languages of Nepal: [2]
There were 124 mother tongues according to the "National Report on caste/ethnicity, language & religion", National Population and Housing Census 2021 in Nepal.
Nepali accounted as a mother tongue for 44.86% while also being a second additional language for 46.2% of the total population. [1]
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. [1]
Population by mother tongue and sex, NPHC 2021 [1]
Rank | Language | Total | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|
All MotherTongues | 29,164,578 | 100 | |
1 | Nepali | 13,084,457 | 44.86 |
2 | Maithili | 3,222,389 | 11.05 |
3 | Bhojpuri | 1,820,795 | 6.24 |
4 | Tharu | 1,714,091 | 5.88 |
5 | Tamang | 1,423,075 | 4.88 |
6 | Bajjika | 1,133,764 | 3.89 |
7 | Avadhi | 864,276 | 2.96 |
8 | Nepalbhasha(Newari) | 863,380 | 2.96 |
9 | Magar Dhut | 810,315 | 2.78 |
10 | Doteli | 494,864 | 1.7 |
11 | Urdu | 413,785 | 1.42 |
12 | Yakthung/Limbu | 350,436 | 1.2 |
13 | Gurung | 328,074 | 1.12 |
14 | Magahi | 230,117 | 0.79 |
15 | Baitadeli | 152,666 | 0.52 |
16 | Rai | 144,512 | 0.5 |
17 | Achhami | 141,444 | 0.48 |
18 | Bantawa | 138,003 | 0.47 |
19 | Rajbanshi | 130,163 | 0.45 |
20 | Sherpa | 117,896 | 0.4 |
21 | Khash | 117,511 | 0.4 |
22 | Bajhangi | 99,631 | 0.34 |
23 | Hindi | 98,399 | 0.34 |
24 | Magar Kham | 91,753 | 0.31 |
25 | Chamling | 89,037 | 0.31 |
26 | Ranatharu | 77,766 | 0.27 |
27 | Chepang | 58,392 | 0.2 |
28 | Bajureli | 56,486 | 0.19 |
29 | Santhali | 53,677 | 0.18 |
30 | Danuwar | 49,992 | 0.17 |
31 | Darchuleli | 45,649 | 0.16 |
32 | Uranw/Urau | 38,873 | 0.13 |
33 | Kulung | 37,912 | 0.13 |
34 | Angika | 35,952 | 0.12 |
35 | Majhi | 32,917 | 0.11 |
36 | Sunuwar | 32,708 | 0.11 |
37 | Thami | 26,805 | 0.09 |
38 | Ganagai | 26,281 | 0.09 |
39 | Thulung | 24,405 | 0.08 |
40 | Bangla | 23,774 | 0.08 |
41 | Ghale | 23,049 | 0.08 |
42 | Sampang | 21,597 | 0.07 |
43 | Marwadi | 21,333 | 0.07 |
44 | Dadeldhuri | 21,300 | 0.07 |
45 | Dhimal | 20,583 | 0.07 |
46 | Tajpuriya | 20,349 | 0.07 |
47 | Kumal | 18,435 | 0.06 |
48 | Khaling | 16,514 | 0.06 |
49 | Musalman | 16,252 | 0.06 |
50 | Wambule | 15,285 | 0.05 |
51 | Bahing/Bayung | 14,449 | 0.05 |
52 | Yakkha | 14,241 | 0.05 |
53 | Sanskrit | 13,906 | 0.05 |
54 | Bhujel | 13,086 | 0.04 |
55 | Bhote | 12,895 | 0.04 |
56 | Darai | 12,156 | 0.04 |
57 | Yamphu/Yamphe | 10,744 | 0.04 |
58 | Nachhiring | 9,906 | 0.03 |
59 | Hyolmo/Yholmo | 9,658 | 0.03 |
60 | Dumi | 8,638 | 0.03 |
61 | Jumli | 8,338 | 0.03 |
62 | Bote | 7,687 | 0.03 |
63 | Mewahang | 7,428 | 0.03 |
64 | Puma | 6,763 | 0.02 |
65 | Pahari | 5,946 | 0.02 |
66 | Athpahariya | 5,580 | 0.02 |
67 | Dungmali | 5,403 | 0.02 |
68 | Jirel | 5,167 | 0.02 |
69 | Tibetan | 5,053 | 0.02 |
70 | Dailekhi | 4,989 | 0.02 |
71 | Chum/Nubri | 4,284 | 0.01 |
72 | Chhantyal | 4282 | 0.01 |
73 | Raji | 4247 | 0.01 |
74 | Thakali | 4220 | 0.01 |
75 | Meche | 4203 | 0.01 |
76 | Koyee | 4152 | 0.01 |
77 | Lohorung | 3884 | 0.01 |
78 | Kewarat | 3469 | 0.01 |
79 | Dolpali | 3244 | 0.01 |
80 | Done | 3100 | 0.01 |
81 | Mugali | 2834 | 0.01 |
82 | Jero/Jerung | 2817 | 0.01 |
83 | Karmarong | 2619 | 0.01 |
84 | Chhintang | 2564 | 0.01 |
85 | Lhopa | 2348 | 0.01 |
86 | Lapcha | 2240 | 0.01 |
87 | Munda/Mudiyari | 2107 | 0.01 |
88 | Manange | 2022 | 0.01 |
89 | Chhiling | 2011 | 0.01 |
90 | Dura | 1991 | 0.01 |
91 | Tilung | 1969 | 0.01 |
92 | Sign Language | 1784 | 0.01 |
93 | Byansi | 1706 | 0.01 |
94 | Balkura/Baram | 1539 | 0.01 |
95 | Baragunwa | 1536 | 0.01 |
96 | Sadri | 1347 | 0 |
97 | English | 1323 | 0 |
98 | Magar Kaike | 1225 | 0 |
99 | Sonaha | 1182 | 0 |
100 | Hayu/Vayu | 1133 | 0 |
101 | Kisan | 1004 | 0 |
102 | Punjabi | 871 | 0 |
103 | Dhuleli | 786 | 0 |
104 | Khamchi(Raute) | 741 | 0 |
105 | Lungkhim | 702 | 0 |
106 | Lowa | 624 | 0 |
107 | Kagate | 611 | 0 |
108 | Waling/Walung | 545 | 0 |
109 | Nar-Phu | 428 | 0 |
110 | Lhomi | 413 | 0 |
111 | Tichhurong Poike | 410 | 0 |
112 | Kurmali | 397 | 0 |
113 | Koche | 332 | 0 |
114 | Sindhi | 291 | 0 |
115 | Phangduwali | 247 | 0 |
116 | Belhare | 177 | 0 |
117 | Surel | 174 | 0 |
118 | Malpande | 161 | 0 |
119 | Khariya | 132 | 0 |
120 | Sadhani | 122 | 0 |
121 | Hariyanwi | 114 | 0 |
122 | Sam | 106 | 0 |
123 | Bankariya | 86 | 0 |
124 | Kusunda | 23 | 0 |
125 | Others | 4201 | 0.01 |
126 | Not stated | 346 | 0 |
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. [1]
Population by second language, NPHC 2021
Rank | Second Language | Total | Percentage |
Total | 29164578 | 100 | |
1 | No Second Language | 14023086 | 48.08 |
2 | Nepali | 13482904 | 46.23 |
3 | Maithili | 267621 | 0.92 |
4 | Hindi | 223106 | 0.76 |
5 | Bhojpuri | 138572 | 0.48 |
6 | English | 102561 | 0.35 |
7 | Tharu | 89606 | 0.31 |
8 | Bajjika | 86062 | 0.3 |
9 | Avadhi | 75651 | 0.26 |
10 | Urdu | 72128 | 0.25 |
11 | Tamang | 71569 | 0.25 |
12 | Magar Dhut | 54143 | 0.19 |
13 | Bhote | 45292 | 0.16 |
14 | Bantawa | 43536 | 0.15 |
15 | Nepalbhasha(Newari) | 32604 | 0.11 |
16 | Chamling | 29253 | 0.1 |
17 | Magahi | 29191 | 0.1 |
18 | Gurung | 23698 | 0.08 |
19 | Yakthung/Limbu | 19705 | 0.07 |
20 | Thulung | 17187 | 0.06 |
21 | Magar Kham | 16814 | 0.06 |
22 | Bahing/Bayung | 15104 | 0.05 |
23 | Rai | 14398 | 0.05 |
24 | Doteli | 14344 | 0.05 |
25 | Sampang | 14261 | 0.05 |
26 | Khaling | 10370 | 0.04 |
27 | Baitadeli | 9521 | 0.03 |
28 | Sherpa | 9435 | 0.03 |
29 | Sanskrit | 6615 | 0.02 |
30 | Achhami | 6522 | 0.02 |
31 | Angika | 6127 | 0.02 |
32 | Musalman | 6084 | 0.02 |
33 | Kulung | 6039 | 0.02 |
34 | Dumi | 5870 | 0.02 |
35 | Dadeldhuri | 5535 | 0.02 |
36 | Bangla | 5447 | 0.02 |
37 | Wambule | 5227 | 0.02 |
38 | Darchuleli | 4272 | 0.01 |
39 | Puma | 4271 | 0.01 |
40 | Rajbanshi | 4103 | 0.01 |
41 | Bote | 3891 | 0.01 |
42 | Mewahang | 3669 | 0.01 |
43 | Marwadi | 3449 | 0.01 |
44 | Nachhiring | 3176 | 0.01 |
45 | Tibetan | 3134 | 0.01 |
46 | Bajhangi | 2641 | 0.01 |
47 | Khash | 2607 | 0.01 |
48 | Chhintang | 2135 | 0.01 |
49 | Tilung | 1762 | 0.01 |
50 | Sunuwar | 1597 | 0.01 |
51 | Belhare | 1491 | 0.01 |
52 | Punjabi | 1274 | 0 |
53 | Dungmali | 1271 | 0 |
54 | Jero/Jerung | 1245 | 0 |
55 | Jumli | 1125 | 0 |
56 | Bajureli | 1076 | 0 |
57 | Dhimal | 999 | 0 |
58 | Majhi | 971 | 0 |
59 | Ghale | 963 | 0 |
60 | Koyee | 928 | 0 |
61 | Ranatharu | 871 | 0 |
62 | Thami | 859 | 0 |
63 | Danuwar | 845 | 0 |
64 | Chepang | 833 | 0 |
65 | Sign Language | 828 | 0 |
66 | Bhujel | 740 | 0 |
67 | Thakali | 733 | 0 |
68 | Yakkha | 704 | 0 |
69 | Santhali | 703 | 0 |
70 | Chhiling | 685 | 0 |
71 | Ganagai | 644 | 0 |
72 | Lohorung | 622 | 0 |
73 | Kumal | 615 | 0 |
74 | Kagate | 615 | 0 |
75 | Darai | 591 | 0 |
76 | Khamchi(Raute) | 526 | 0 |
77 | Magar Kaike | 515 | 0 |
78 | Hyolmo/Yholmo | 508 | 0 |
79 | Yamphu/Yamphe | 494 | 0 |
80 | Dailekhi | 434 | 0 |
81 | Chhantyal | 394 | 0 |
82 | Hayu/Vayu | 349 | 0 |
83 | Koche | 335 | 0 |
84 | Jirel | 332 | 0 |
85 | Athpahariya | 320 | 0 |
86 | Balkura/Baram | 307 | 0 |
87 | Waling/Walung | 304 | 0 |
88 | Manange | 304 | 0 |
89 | Dura | 278 | 0 |
90 | Uranw/Urau | 245 | 0 |
91 | Lapcha | 242 | 0 |
92 | Sindhi | 217 | 0 |
93 | Tajpuriya | 209 | 0 |
94 | Dhuleli | 187 | 0 |
95 | Pahari | 142 | 0 |
96 | Lhopa | 129 | 0 |
97 | Dolpali | 127 | 0 |
98 | Sadhani | 125 | 0 |
99 | Sadri | 106 | 0 |
100 | Baragunwa | 89 | 0 |
101 | Phangduwali | 85 | 0 |
102 | Hariyanwi | 84 | 0 |
103 | Sam | 79 | 0 |
104 | Malpande | 78 | 0 |
105 | Raji | 76 | 0 |
106 | Meche | 75 | 0 |
107 | Tichhurong Poike | 72 | 0 |
108 | Surel | 64 | 0 |
109 | Kurmali | 60 | 0 |
110 | Bankariya | 42 | 0 |
111 | Kewarat | 38 | 0 |
112 | Sonaha | 35 | 0 |
113 | Karmarong | 34 | 0 |
114 | Kisan | 33 | 0 |
115 | Byansi | 32 | 0 |
116 | Kusunda | 32 | 0 |
117 | Lungkhim | 28 | 0 |
118 | Mugali | 23 | 0 |
119 | Others | 159 | 0 |
120 | Not stated | 8105 | 0.03 |
Rank | Language | Language family | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nepali | Indo-European | 11,826,953 | 44.64% |
2 | Maithili | Indo-European | 3,092,530 | 11.67% |
3 | Bhojpuri | Indo-European | 1,584,958 | 5.98% |
4 | Tharu | Indo-European | 1,529,875 | 5.77% |
5 | Tamang | Sino-Tibetan | 1,353,311 | 5.11% |
6 | Nepal Bhasa (Newar) | Sino-Tibetan | 846,557 | 3.20% |
7 | Bajjika | Indo-European | 793,416 | 2.99% |
8 | Magar | Sino-Tibetan | 788,530 | 2.98% |
9 | Dotyali/Doteli | Indo-European | 787,827 | 2.97% |
10 | Urdu | Indo-European | 691,546 | 2.61% |
11 | Awadhi | Indo-European | 501,752 | 1.89% |
12 | Limbu | Sino-Tibetan | 343,603 | 1.30% |
13 | Gurung | Sino-Tibetan | 325,622 | 1.23% |
14 | Baitadeli | Indo-European | 272,524 | 1.03% |
15 | Rai (Kiranti) | Sino-Tibetan | 159,114 | 0.60% |
16 | Aachami | Indo-European | 142,787 | 0.54% |
17 | Bantawa (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 132,583 | 0.50% |
18 | Rajbanshi | Indo-European | 122,214 | 0.46% |
19 | Sherpa | Sino-Tibetan | 114,830 | 0.43% |
20 | Hindi | Indo-European | 77,569 | 0.29% |
21 | Chamling (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 76,800 | 0.29% |
22 | Bajhangi | Indo-European | 67,581 | 0.26% |
23 | Santhali | Austro-Asiatic | 49,858 | 0.19% |
24 | Chepang | Sino-Tibetan | 48,476 | 0.18% |
25 | Danuwar | Indo-European | 45,821 | 0.17% |
26 | Sunuwar | Sino-Tibetan | 37,898 | 0.14% |
27 | Magahi | Indo-European | 35,614 | 0.13% |
28 | Uranw/Kurux | Dravidian | 33,651 | 0.13% |
29 | Kulung (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 33,170 | 0.13% |
30 | Kham (Magar) | Sino-Tibetan | 27,113 | 0.10% |
31 | Rajasthani | Indo-European | 25,394 | 0.10% |
32 | Majhi | Indo-European | 24,422 | 0.09% |
33 | Thami | Sino-Tibetan | 23,151 | 0.09% |
34 | Bhujel | Sino-Tibetan | 21,715 | 0.08% |
35 | Bengali | Indo-European | 21,061 | 0.08% |
36 | Thulung (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 20,659 | 0.08% |
37 | Yakkha | Sino-Tibetan | 19,558 | 0.07% |
38 | Dhimal | Sino-Tibetan | 19,300 | 0.07% |
39 | Tajpuriya | Indo-European | 18,811 | 0.07% |
40 | Angika | Indo-European | 18,555 | 0.07% |
41 | Sampang (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 18,270 | 0.07% |
42 | Khaling (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 14,467 | 0.05% |
43 | Wambule (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 13,470 | 0.05% |
44 | Kumal | Indo-European | 12,222 | 0.05% |
45 | Darai | Indo-European | 11,677 | 0.04% |
46 | Bahing (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 11,658 | 0.04% |
47 | Bajureli | Indo-European | 10,704 | 0.04% |
48 | Hyolmo | Sino-Tibetan | 10,176 | 0.04% |
49 | Nachiring (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 10,041 | 0.04% |
50 | Yamphu (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 9,208 | 0.03% |
51 | Bote | Indo-European | 8,766 | 0.03% |
52 | Ghale | Sino-Tibetan | 8,092 | 0.03% |
53 | Dumi (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 7,638 | 0.03% |
54 | Lepcha | Sino-Tibetan | 7,499 | 0.03% |
55 | Puma (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 6,686 | 0.03% |
56 | Dungmali (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 6,260 | 0.02% |
57 | Darchuleli | Indo-European | 5,928 | 0.02% |
58 | Aathpariya (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 5,530 | 0.02% |
59 | Thakali | Sino-Tibetan | 5,242 | 0.02% |
60 | Jirel | Sino-Tibetan | 4,829 | 0.02% |
61 | Mewahang (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 4,650 | 0.02% |
62 | Sign Language | − | 4,476 | 0.02% |
63 | Tibetan | Sino-Tibetan | 4,445 | 0.02% |
64 | Meche | Sino-Tibetan | 4,375 | 0.02% |
65 | Chhantyal | Sino-Tibetan | 4,283 | 0.02% |
66 | Raji | Sino-Tibetan | 3,758 | 0.01% |
67 | Lohorung (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 3,716 | 0.01% |
68 | Chhintang (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 3,712 | 0.01% |
69 | Gangai | Indo-European | 3,612 | 0.01% |
70 | Pahari | Sino-Tibetan | 3,458 | 0.01% |
71 | Dailekhi | Indo-European | 3,102 | 0.01% |
72 | Lhopa | Sino-Tibetan | 3,029 | 0.01% |
73 | Dura | Sino-Tibetan | 2,156 | 0.01% |
74 | Koch | Sino-Tibetan | 2,080 | 0.01% |
75 | Chiling (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 2,046 | 0.01% |
76 | English | Indo-European | 2,045 | 0.01% |
77 | Jerung (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 1,763 | 0.01% |
78 | Khas | Indo-European | 1,747 | 0.01% |
79 | Sanskrit | Indo-European | 1,669 | 0.01% |
80 | Dolpali | Indo-European | 1,667 | 0.01% |
81 | Hayu | Sino-Tibetan | 1,520 | 0.01% |
82 | Tilung (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 1,424 | 0.01% |
83 | Koi (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 1,271 | 0.00% |
84 | Kisan | Indo-European | 1,178 | 0.00% |
85 | Waling (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 1,169 | 0.00% |
86 | Musalban | Indo-European | 1,075 | 0.00% |
87 | Hariyani/Haryanvi | Indo-European | 889 | 0.00% |
88 | Jumli | Indo-European | 851 | 0.00% |
89 | Lhomi | Sino-Tibetan | 808 | 0.00% |
90 | Punjabi | Indo-European | 808 | 0.00% |
91 | Belhare (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 599 | 0.00% |
92 | Odia | Indo-European | 584 | 0.00% |
93 | Sonaha | Indo-European | 579 | 0.00% |
94 | Sindhi | Indo-European | 518 | 0.00% |
95 | Dadeldhuri | Indo-European | 488 | 0.00% |
96 | Byangshi | Sino-Tibetan | 480 | 0.00% |
97 | Assamese | Indo-European | 476 | 0.00% |
98 | Raute | Sino-Tibetan | 461 | 0.00% |
99 | Saam (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 401 | 0.00% |
100 | Manange | Sino-Tibetan | 392 | 0.00% |
101 | Dhuleli | Sino-Tibetan | 347 | 0.00% |
102 | Phangduali (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 290 | 0.00% |
103 | Surel | Sino-Tibetan | 287 | 0.00% |
104 | Malpande | Indo-European | 247 | 0.00% |
105 | Chinese | Sino-Tibetan | 242 | 0.00% |
106 | Khariya | Austro-Asiatic | 238 | 0.00% |
107 | Kurmali | Indo-European | 227 | 0.00% |
108 | Baram | Sino-Tibetan | 155 | 0.00% |
109 | Lingkhim (Rai) | Sino-Tibetan | 129 | 0.00% |
110 | Sadhani | Indo-European | 122 | 0.00% |
111 | Kagate | Sino-Tibetan | 99 | 0.00% |
112 | Dzongkha | Sino-Tibetan | 80 | 0.00% |
113 | Bankariya | Sino-Tibetan | 69 | 0.00% |
114 | Kaike | Sino-Tibetan | 50 | 0.00% |
115 | Garhwali (Gadhawali) | Indo-European | 38 | 0.00% |
116 | French | Indo-European | 34 | 0.00% |
117 | Mizo | Sino-Tibetan | 32 | 0.00% |
118 | Kuki | Sino-Tibetan | 29 | 0.00% |
119 | Kusunda | Language Isolate | 28 | 0.00% |
120 | Russian | Indo-European | 17 | 0.00% |
121 | Spanish | Indo-European | 16 | 0.00% |
122 | Nagamese | Sino-Tibetan | 10 | 0.00% |
123 | Arabic | Afro-Asiatic | 8 | 0.00% |
− | Not reported | − | 47,718 | 0.18% |
− | Others | − | 21,173 | 0.08% |
Total | 26,494,504 | 100% | ||
Language | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Nepali | 8,682,499 | 32.77% |
Maithili | 1,225,950 | 4.62% |
Hindi | 195, 287 | 0.73% |
Bhojpuri | 159,518 | 0.60% |
Tharu | 84,748 | 0.32% |
English | 81,447 | 0.30% |
Bajjika | 60,863 | 0.23% |
Urdu | 45,766 | 0.17% |
Awadhi | 45,428 | 0.17% |
Magar | 42,952 | 0.16% |
Tamang | 33,450 | 0.12% |
Nepal Bhasa (Newar) | 32,594 | 0.12% |
Sanskrit | 2,975 | 0.01% |
Others | 190,327 | 0.72% |
Total | 10,883,804 | 41.04% |
Nepali in Devanagari script is the official working language in federal level. The constitution has provisioned provinces to choose one or more than one official language(s) besides Nepali. [2] According to the Language Commission of Nepal Maithili and Limbu are recommended to have official status in Province No. 1; Maithili, Bhojpuri and Bajjika in Province No. 2; Tamang and Nepal Bhasa in Bagmati Province; Magar and Gurung in Gandaki Province; Tharu and Awadhi in Lumbini Province; Nepali (Khas Bhasa)'s Karnali dialect and Magar in Karnali Province; Dotyali and Tharu in Sudurpashchim Province. [3]
Most of the languages are found exclusively in oral form. According to the Language Commission, fifteen scripts are currently in use in Nepal, [3] [11] including the following:
The current population of Nepal is 29,164,578 as per the 2021 census. The population growth rate is 0.92% per year.
Newar 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. The language is known officialy in Nepal as Nepal Bhasa, a name that has been historically used for the language. The term "Newari" is also used to refer to the language, although the Indic -i suffix is considered inappropriate by some Newar speakers.
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.
Bhaktapur District located in the eastern part of Kathmandu valley, is the smallest among Nepal's 77 districts. It is part of Bagmati Province. Bhaktapur District Post Office is 44800. The district, with Bhaktapur as its district headquarters, covers an area of 119 km2 (46 sq mi) and in 2011 had a population of 304,651 of whom 9,701 people were absent.
Magar Dhut is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken mainly in Nepal, southern Bhutan, and in Darjeeling, Assam and Sikkim, India, by the Magar people. It is divided into two groups and further dialect divisions give distinct tribal identity. In Nepal 810,000 people speak the language.
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.
Myanglung is a municipality and the district headquarters of Terhathum District of Koshi Province in eastern Nepal. The "myang" means cat and "lung" means stone in Limbu language.The story is that the cat (myang) in ancient time, pawed the stone (lung) in anger. The municipality is situated at an elevation of about 1500 metres above sea level. Myanglung was converted into a municipality from a village development committee on 18 May 2014, merging the existing village development committees of Myanglung, Piple, Jirikhimti, Ambung, Sabla and Tamphula. According to the census of 2011 the total population of Myanglung is 19,659 including five VDCs.
South Asia is home to several hundred languages, spanning the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It is home to the fourth most spoken language in the world, Hindi–Urdu; and the sixth most spoken language, Bengali. Languages like Bengali, Tamil and Nepali have official/national status in more than one country of this region. The languages in the region mostly comprise Indo-Iranic and Dravidian languages, and further members of other language families like Austroasiatic, and Tibeto-Burman languages.
The Tharu or Tharuhat languages are any of the Indo-Aryan languages spoken by the Tharu people of the Terai region in Nepal, and neighboring regions of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in India.
Most of the languages of Bihar, the third most populous state of India, belong to the Bihari subgroup of the Indo-Aryan family. Chief among them are Bhojpuri, spoken in the west of the state, Maithili in the north, Magahi in center around capital Patna and in the south of the state. Maithili has official recognition under the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India. The official language of Bihar is Modern Standard Hindi, with Standard Urdu serving as a second official language in 15 districts.
Indian Gorkhas, also known as Nepali Indians, are an Indian ethno-cultural group who speak Nepali as a common language. They inhabit mainly the states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Northeast India and Uttarakhand, including their diaspora elsewhere in India and abroad. The modern term "Indian Gorkha" is used to differentiate the Nepali language Speaking Indians from Nepalis.
Tarakeshwar is a municipality in Kathmandu District in Bagmati Province of Nepal that was established on 2 December 2014 by merging the former Village development committees Dharmasthali, Futung, Goldhunga, Jitpurphedi, Kavresthali, Manmaiju and Sangla. The office of the municipality is that of the former Dharmasthali village development committee.
Dharmadevi is a municipality in Sankhuwasabha District of Koshi Province in Nepal. It is a municipality out of 5 municipalities in Sankhuwasabha District. Total area of the municipality is 133 km (83 mi) and according to 2011 census of Nepal, the population of this municipality is 18,235. The municipality was established in March 2017 merging some former VDCs: e.g. Aankhibhui, Mamling and Tamaphok. The municipality is divided into 9 wards. The headquarter of the municipality is in Tamaphok.
Mahalaxmi is a municipality in Dhankuta District of Koshi Province in Nepal. It is a municipality out of three urban municipalities in Dhankuta District. Total area of the municipality is 126.3 km (78.5 mi) and according to 2011 census of Nepal, the population of this municipality is 24,800. The municipality is divided into nine wards. The headquarter of the municipality is in Jitpur Bazar.
Sangurigadhi is a rural municipality (gaunpalika) out of four rural municipality located in Dhankuta District of Koshi Province of Nepal. There are a total of 7 municipalities in Dhankuta in which 3 are urban and 4 are rural.
Chaubise is a rural municipality (gaunpalika) out of four rural municipality located in Dhankuta District of the Koshi Province of Nepal. There are a total of 7 municipalities in Dhankuta in which 3 are urban and 4 are rural.
Shahidbhumi is a rural municipality (gaunpalika) out of four rural municipality located in Dhankuta District of Koshi Province of Nepal. There are a total of 7 municipalities in Dhankuta in which 3 are urban and 4 are rural.
Buddhashanti is a rural municipality (gaunpalika) out of seven rural municipality located in Jhapa District of Koshi Province of Nepal. Buddhashanti, according to Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has an area of 79.78 square kilometres (30.80 sq mi) and the total population of the municipality is 41,615 as of Census of Nepal 2011.
Laljhadi is a Gaupalika in Kanchanpur District in the Sudurpashchim Province of far-western Nepal. Laljhadi has a population of 22569.The land area is 154.65 km2. It was formed by merging Shankarpur, Baise Bichwa and Dekhtabhul VDCs.
The Constitution of Nepal recognizes all mother tongues as national languages of Nepal.