Population dynamics in Nepal: features and issues
Bajracharya, P.
Nepal Population and Development Journal 1997(Special Issue): 66-80
1997
PMID: 12293769 Document Number: 577598
This article features a discussion of Nepal's population dynamics and several major demographic issues for the future. The fertility rate in Nepal has declined, but insufficiently. There is a need to increase the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) from 29% to 40% over the next decade. CPR may be increased by improving functional literacy, increasing the length of schooling, awareness creation among subgroups, and improvement in the socioeconomic status of the population. Nepal has uncontrolled migration. There is a need to define appropriate international and internal migration policies and to improve regional development. There is also the need for nutrition programs targeted to malnourished children and pregnant mothers. Nepal is a country with a high birthrate of 37.5/1000, a declining death rate of 13.8/1000, high infant mortality of 97.5/1000 live births, high child mortality of 165/1000, and high total fertility of 5.5 children/woman. 42.7% of population are aged under 15 years. In 1991, the population growth rate was the highest in the terai region at 2.8%. Migration has increased population in the terai. The share of population in the hill and mountain regions has increased. The sex ratio of population was favorable to females in 1991. The sex ratio among persons aged 0-14 years and among those aged 45-60 and over favored males. The young and old populations continue to grow. The mean age of population was 18.8 years in 1991. The share of urban population was about 9.2% in 1991, but it is growing. Migration pressure arises at the destination due to social and political conflict, population pressure, land issues, and lack of social services.