Ethnic groups in Nepal

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Caste/Ethnic groups of Nepal more than 1% of total population (2021 Census) [1]

Contents

   Chhetri (16.45%)
   Brahmin-Hill (11.29%)
   Magar (6.9%)
   Tharu (6.2%)
   Tamang (5.62%)
   Kami (5.04%)
   Muslims (4.86%)
   Newar (4.6%)
   Yadav (4.21%)
   Rai (2.2%)
   Damai (1.94%)
   Gurung (1.86%)
   Thakuri (1.7%)
   Sarki (1.55%)
   Teli (1.48%)
   Limbu (1.42%)
   Chamar (1.35%)
   Kushwaha (1.22%)
  Other (20.11%)
Nepal ethnic groups Nepal-ethnic-groups-map.jpg
Nepal ethnic groups
Ethnographic map of Nepal (Gurung 1998) Ethnographic Map Of Nepal Native area of Ethnic caste group Dr Harka Gurung 1998.jpg
Ethnographic map of Nepal (Gurung 1998)
Nepal ethnic groups Ethnolinguistic Groups of Nepal.svg
Nepal ethnic groups
Magar girls in ethnic dress. Magars are the most populous Janajati group in Nepal. Indigenous magar girls of Nepal.JPG
Magar girls in ethnic dress. Magars are the most populous Janajati group in Nepal.

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. [2]

Linguistic groups

Gurung people from central Nepal playing one of their traditional drums, Khaijadi Khaijadi.jpg
Gurung people from central Nepal playing one of their traditional drums, Khaijadi

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% [3] 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% [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. [4]

Social status

Sunuwar, a division of Kirati people; one of the largest ethnic groups in Eastern Nepal SunuwarMaleFemale.jpg
Sunuwar, a division of Kirati people; one of the largest ethnic groups in Eastern Nepal

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]

List of ethnic / caste-groups in Nepal by population

The population wise ranking of 125 Nepalese castes groups as per 2011 Nepal census. [3] [10] [note 1] [11]

RankCaste & Tribal groupsPopulation (2011)Percentage (%)
1 Chetri 4,398,05316.60
2 Bahun 3,226,90312.18
3 Magar 1,887,7337.12
4 Tharu 1,737,4706.56
5 Tamang 1,539,8305.81
6 Newar 1,321,9334.99
7 Kami 1,258,5544.75
8 Nepali Musalman 1,164,2554.39
9 Yadav 1,054,4583.98
10 Rai 620,0042.34
11 Gurung 522,6411.97
12 Damai/Dholi 472,8621.78
13 Thakuri 425,6231.61
14 Limbu 387,3001.46
15 Sarki 374,8161.41
16 Teli 369,6881.40
17 Chamar/Harijan/Ram 335,8931.27
18 Kushwaha 306,3931.16
19 Musahar 234,4900.89
20 Kurmi 231,1290.87
21 Sanyasi/Dasnami 227,8220.86
22 Dhanuk 219,8080.83
23 Kanu/Haluwai 209,0530.79
24 Dusadh/Pasawan/Pasi 208,9100.79
25 Mallaha 173,2610.65
26 Kewat 153,7720.58
27Kathbaniya138,6370.52
28Brahmin-Terai134,1060.51
29 Kalwar 128,2320.48
30 Kumal 121,1960.45
31 Bhujel 118,6500.44
32 Hajam/Thakur 117,7580.43
33 Rajbanshi 115,2420.43
34 Sherpa 112,9460.41
35 Dhobi 109,0790.40
36Tatma/Tatwa104,8650.38
37 Lohar 101,4210.38
38Khatwe100,9210.35
39 Sudhi 93,1150.32
40 Danuwar 84,1150.32
41 Majhi 83,7270.30
42 Barai 80,5970.28
43Bin75,1950.27
44Nuniya70,5400.26
45 Chepang 68,3990.24
46 Sonar 64,3350.24
47 Kumhar 62,3990.21
48 Sunuwar 55,7120.21
49Bantar/Sardar55,1040.21
50Kahar53,1590.20
51 Santhal 51,7350.20
52 Marwadi 51,4430.19
53 Kayastha 44,3040.17
54 Rajput/Terai Kshetriya 41,9720.16
55 Badi 38,6030.15
56 Jhangar/Uraon 37,4240.14
57Gangai (Ganesh & Mandal)36,9880.12
58 Lodh 32,8370.11
59Badhaee28,9320.11
60 Thami 28,6710.11
61 Kulung 28,6130.1
62 Bengali 26,5820.1
63Gaderi/Bhediyar/Gangajali26,3750.1
64 Dhimal 26,2980.09
65 Yakkha 24,3360.09
66 Ghale 22,8810.07
67Tajpuriya19,2130.07
68Khawas18,5130.06
69 Darai 16,7890.06
70 Mali 14,9950.06
71Dhuniya14,8460.05
72 Pahari 13,6150.05
73 Rajdhob 13,4220.05
74 Bhote 13,3970.05
75 Dom 13,2680.05
76 Thakali 13,2150.05
77 Kori 12,2760.04
78 Chhantyal 11,8100.04
79 Hyolmo 10,7520.04
80Bote10,3970.04
81 Rajbhar 9,5420.03
82Brahmu/Baramo8,1400.03
83 Punjabi 7,1760.03
84Nachhring7,1540.03
85Yamphu6,9330.03
86 Gaine 6,7910.03
87Chamling6,6680.02
88Athpahariya5,9770.02
89 Jirel 5,7740.02
90Dura5,3940.02
91Sarabaria4,9060.02
92 Meche 4,8670.02
93Bantawa4,6040.02
94 Raji 4,2350.02
95Dolpo4,1070.02
96Halkhor4,0030.01
97 Byansi/Sauka 3,8950.01
98Amat3,8300.01
99Thulung3,5350.01
100 Lepcha 3,4450.01
101Pathakatta/Kushwadia3,1820.01
102 Mewahang 3,1000.01
103 Bahing 3,0960.01
104Natuwa3,0620.01
105 Hayu 2,9250.01
106Dhankar/Dharikar 2,6810.01
107 Lhopa 2,6240.01
108 Munda 2,3500.0087
109Dev2,1470.0081
110 Dhandi 1,9820.0075
111Kamar1,7870.0067
112 Kisan 1,7390.0066
113 Sampang 1,6810.0063
114 Koche 1,6350.0062
115Lhomi1,6140.0061
116Khaling1,5710.0059
117Topkegola1,5230.0057
118Chidimar1,2540.0047
119 Walung 1,2490.0047
120 Lohorung 1,1530.0044
121 Kalar 1,0770.004
122 Raute 6180.002
123Nurang2780.001
124 Kusunda 2730.001
Foreigners6,6510.03
−Others/Undefined275,6701.04%
Total26,494,504100.00%
Broad Ethnic Categories of Nepal (2011 Census) [3]
RankBroad Ethnic CategorySub-CategorySub-Category

Percentage

Linguistic familyPopulation

Percentage

1 Khas-Arya

(Hill Group)

Chhetri16.60% Indo-Aryan 39.37%
Brahmin12.18%
Dalit8.12%
Thakuri1.61%
Sanyasis/Dashnami0.86%
2JanajatisHill: 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%
5Other

(Marwadi, Bengali and Punjabi)

−Indo-Aryan0.32%
6Undefined and Foreigners−−−1.07%
Total100%

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamang people</span> Indigenous native of Nepal, Bhutan and India


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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mugom-Karmarong language</span> Sino-Tibetan language of western Nepal.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lhowa language</span> Sino-Tibetan language of western Nepal

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References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Pages 191/192 of the total pdf or pages 156/157 in the scanned material shows Nepalese castes/ethnic groups

Notes

  1. ↑ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
  2. ↑ Mishra, Pramod (2020-08-26). "Endogamy, hierarchy and violence". The Kathmandu Post . Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Population Monograph of Nepal Volume II (Social Demography)" (PDF).
  4. ↑ Tumbahang, Govinda Bahadur (2010). "Marginalization of indigenous languages of Nepal". Contributions to Nepalese Studies. 37: 69 – via Expanded Academic.
  5. ↑ "Highlights" (PDF). OCHA Nepal Situation Overview (12). OCHA. April 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2009. Retrieved 2011-05-07.
  6. ↑ "Highlights" (PDF). OCHA Nepal Situation Overview (16). OCHA. July–August 2007. Retrieved 2011-05-07.
  7. ↑ "Highlights" (PDF). OCHA Nepal Situation Overview (30). OCHA. June–July 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 2011-05-07.
  8. ↑ Sharma, Hari (2010-11-18). "Body of murder victim found in Gulmi". Gulmi: The Himalayan Times online. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 2011-05-07.
  9. ↑ Hatlebakk, Magnus (2007). "Economic and social structures that may explain the recent conflicts in the Terai of Nepal" (PDF). Kathmandu: Norwegian Embassy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  10. ↑ "POPULATION MONOGRAPH OF NEPAL" (PDF). p. 191. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  11. ↑ "Nepal Census 2011" (PDF).
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