Ethnic groups in Nepal

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

Sunuwar (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 Ethnographic map of Nepal (Gurung 1998) Nepal ethnic groupsMagar 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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Rank  | Caste & Tribal groups  | Population (2011)  | Percentage (%)

|
|
|

1  | Chetri | 4,398,053  | 18.80
2  | Bahun | 3,226,903  | 14.18
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%
Broad Ethnic Categories of Nepal (2011 Census)[3] 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

(Marwadi, Bengali and Punjabi)

|  | −  | Indo-Aryan  | 0.32%
6  | Undefined and Foreigners  | −  | −  | −  | 1.07%
Total  | 100%

## References[edit]

### Footnotes[edit]

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

### Notes[edit]

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. ^ a b c d "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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* t
* e

Ethnic groups in Nepal by language family

Sino-Tibetan
(Trans-Himalayan)|

| Tibetic|

* Darchula Bhotiya
* Bhotiya
* Sherpa
* Hyolmo
* Jirel
* Nepalese Central Tibetic
* Central Tibetans
* Kachee

|

Kiranti|

* Western Rai
* Bahing
* Sunuwar Koich
* Central Rai
* Khambu Rai
* Kulung
* Bantawa
* Eastern Rai
* Lohorung
* Yakkha
* Limbu (Yakthung)

Tamangic|

* Chhantyal
* Gurung
* Tamu
* Manange
* Ghale
* Tamang
* Lama clan (Tamang)
* Thakali
* Kaike Magar

* Newaric
* Newar
* Newar Muslim
* Thangmi Kham
* Baram
* Magar
* Dhut
* Kham/Pang
* Chepang
* Bhujel
* Raji–Raute
* Raji
* Raute
* Rawat
* Dura
* Lepcha (Rong)
* Dhimal

* Nepal portal

Indo-Aryan|

| Pahari|

* Khas
* Jumli-speakers
* Palpali-speakers
* Gorkhali-speakers (standard Nepali dialect)
* Kumaunis
* Kashmiris

|

Madheshi|

* Maithil
* Maithil Brahmin
* Yadav
* Kayastha
* Dhanuk
* Eastern Majhi
* Bajji
* Malla
* Anga

Newars|

*     * Over 25 distinct castes, major being Shresthas, Chathariya, Jyapu, Vajracharya, Rajopadhyaya Brahmins, Chitrakar, Khadgi, Manandhar, Dhobi, Pode, Ranjitkar, Mali, etc.
* Newar Muslim

Indian Madheshi|

* Indian Maithil
* Bihari
* Bhojpuri
* Bajjika
* etc.
* Awadhi
* other Madheshi
* H
* U

* Kumal
* Kushbadiya (Guhari)
* Miyan

Indo-Aryan
of a distinct origin|

* Danuar Rai
* Bote
* Western Majhi
* Darai
* Tharu
* Hill Khadiya/Bankariya
* Rajbanshi
* Kisan of Oraon Sadri
* Kushbadiya (Guhari)

Other peoples (M, D, i)
of Indus-Ganga|

* Kusunda
* Munda
* Satar
* Dudh and Dhelki Khadiya/Bankariya
* Jangad/Dhangad/Uraun
* Kisan

Immigrants|

* Korean
* Filipino
* Russian

Other basis|

| By geography|

* Mountain people (Buddhist/Animism)
* Hill people (Eastern Paharis and Newars, Buddhist
* Kirati (East, mostly Mundhum)
* Terai (Madheshi, Tharu, Danuwar and Dhimal) (Lowland)
* Western Nepal (Hindu dominant)
* Nepali Muslim (South)

|

By law|

* Janajati
* Madheshi Janajati

Misc|

* Adivasi
* Simantakrit

By caste|

* Kshetri
* Bahun
* Thakuri
* Rajopadhyaya
* Shresthas
* Jyapu
* Vajracharya
* Pulami
* Kami
* Damai/Dholi
* Rajdhoves
* Sarki
* Unspecified Dalit
* Kalwar
* Dhobi
* Mali
* Gaine/Gandarbha

* v
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* e

Nepalese diaspora (NRN)

Africa|

* Libya

* Nepal portal

Asia|

| East|

* China
* Hong Kong
* Japan
* South Korea

|

South|

* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* India
* Gorkha
* Pakistan

Southeast|

* Burma
* Malaysia
* Philippines
* Singapore
* Thailand

West|

* Kuwait
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia
* United Arab Emirates

Europe|

* Austria
* Germany
* Ireland
* Italy
* Netherlands
* Poland
* Portugal
* Russia
* United Kingdom

North America|

* Canada
* United States

Oceania|

* Australia
* Fiji
* New Zealand

* v
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Demographics of Asia

Sovereign states|

* Afghanistan
* Armenia
* Azerbaijan
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Brunei
* Cambodia
* China
* Cyprus
* East Timor (Timor-Leste)
* Egypt
* Georgia
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Israel
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kazakhstan
* North Korea
* South Korea
* Kuwait
* Kyrgyzstan
* Laos
* Lebanon
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Mongolia
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* Oman
* Pakistan
* Philippines
* Qatar
* Russia
* Saudi Arabia
* Singapore
* Sri Lanka
* Syria
* Tajikistan
* Thailand
* Turkey
* Turkmenistan
* United Arab Emirates
* Uzbekistan
* Vietnam
* Yemen

States with
limited recognition|

* Abkhazia
* Northern Cyprus
* Palestine
* South Ossetia
* Taiwan

Dependencies and
other territories|

* British Indian Ocean Territory
* Christmas Island
* Cocos (Keeling) Islands
* Hong Kong
* Macau

* Category
* Asia portal

* v
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Ethnic groups in Asia

Sovereign states|

* Afghanistan
* Armenia
* Azerbaijan
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Brunei
* Cambodia
* China
* Cyprus
* East Timor (Timor-Leste)
* Egypt
* Georgia
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Israel
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kazakhstan
* North Korea
* South Korea
* Kuwait
* Kyrgyzstan
* Laos
* Lebanon
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Mongolia
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* Oman
* Pakistan
* Philippines
* Qatar
* Russia
* Saudi Arabia
* Singapore
* Sri Lanka
* Syria
* Tajikistan
* Thailand
* Turkey
* Turkmenistan
* United Arab Emirates
* Uzbekistan
* Vietnam
* Yemen

States with
limited recognition|

* Abkhazia
* Northern Cyprus
* Palestine
* South Ossetia
* Taiwan

Dependencies and
other territories|

* British Indian Ocean Territory
* Christmas Island
* Cocos (Keeling) Islands
* Hong Kong
* Macau

* Category
* Asia portal

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