Nepal is located in Asia and borders the People’s Republic of China in the north and India in the east and southwest.

Nepal as a landlocked country has no direct connection to the sea.

The agricultural sector is the most important industry in the country.
An estimated 77% of the population is dependent on agriculture and yield.

Farmers’ income is unsafe due to crop failures, lack of fields and fertile soils, erosions and other factors, or is often not enough to feed the entire family. Therefore, many farming families come to the cities hoping to make money.

Political portrait (Federal Foreign Office, October 31, 2019)

The Democratic Federal Republic of Nepal is characterized by its geographical location between India and China and the ethnic diversity of the population (around 29.5 million inhabitants; around 100 ethnic groups). After a seven-year advisory process, especially on federalism, minority equality, women’s rights, citizenship and secularism, a new secular constitution came into force on September 20, 2015.

Building a federal system is a major challenge. The new administrative structure currently comprises 7 provinces, 77 districts and over 750 municipalities. In 2017 local elections were held again after 20 years. On November 26th, 2017 (for the north of the country) and December 7th. The House of Representatives (National Assembly) and the Lower House of the Federal Parliament were elected for the first time in 2017 (for the south). Khadga Prasad Oli was elected as the first prime minister after the 2015 constitution. In May 2018, the communist and Maoist ruling party united to form the Nepal Communist Party – NCP.

Education system

The Nepalese education system consists of a five-year basic level, a five-year lower secondary level and a two-year upper secondary level. According to a decision of the Supreme Court, the five-year basic level, including the required books and school uniforms, should be free of charge.

Nepal has made significant progress in basic education for children in recent years. While the illiteracy rate among adults is currently still 45 percent, the enrollment rate in elementary school is now over 95 percent. However, more boys than girls still go to school and many leave early. Deficits in the public school system, including the lack of qualified teachers, have favored the emergence of private schools. English is usually taught as a foreign language.

More information

English daily newspaper: Kathmandu Post

Official website of the Tourism Board

German Foreign Office

UNICEF Nepal