KATHMANDU: The government unveiled the National Population Policy 2025 in a program held on Friday in Kathmandu.
According to the National Population Census 2021, out of Nepal’s 77 districts, 34 districts, including many in the Himalayan region, and 319 local levels are experiencing negative population growth rates.
The overall population growth rate has dropped to 0.92 percent, down from 1.35 percent in 2011.
The fertility rate is below the replacement level; the policy notes the current rate at 1.93, while the replacement level should be 2.1.
Elderly citizens (aged 60 and above) constitute 10.21 percent of the population, whereas the working-age group (15-59 years) accounts for 61.9 percent. The sex ratio at birth shows a skewed pattern with 114 boys born for every 100 girls.
The new policy aims to address these demographic changes through targeted programs focusing on balanced population growth, reproductive health, and gender equality.
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