Kathmandu: population and official figures
What is the population of Kathmandu?
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, had 862,400 inhabitants (city proper) on 11 November 2021, according to a complete census (usual residents) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Kathmandu rank among cities in Nepal?
Of the 37 cities the UN table lists for Nepal (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is the largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Kathmandu?
Women and girls made up 49.2% of residents (424,144 female, 438,256 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyNotes from the UN table: Data refer to metropolitan city.
Who runs Kathmandu?
In Nepal, cities and towns are run by local levels: Mayor/chair and deputy mayor/vice-chair directly elected for five years; local assembly made up of the mayor/chair, deputy, ward chairs and members, plus Dalit and minority women members elected by the assembly itself. Basic and secondary schools, basic health, local roads, water, agriculture, local taxes, local courts of mediation (judicial committee).
How local power works in Nepal
Cities of a similar size in Nepal
Up a level: all cities in Nepal · Nepal · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, technical notes to Table 8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0d2d6d8ccd6…)
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