जनसाङ्ख्यिक अवस्था

Comparison of Population Census and Sample Survey

Conclusion: The census gives a complete picture of the whole population but is costly and time-consuming, whereas a sample survey is quick, cheap and detailed but gives only estimates. In practice, the two are complementary — the census provides the sampling frame for sample surveys.

Geographical regions

• In both censuses the Terai and Hills held most of the population, but the Terai's share rose and passed 50% in 2011.
• The shares of Mountain and Hill fell because of out-migration from the hills and mountains to the Terai and to cities, and abroad.
• The Terai is flat and fertile, with more roads, markets, industries and services, so it attracts migrants.

Development regions

• The Central Development Region was the most populous in both years, and its share grew because of Kathmandu Valley and the Terai towns.
• The Far-western Region had the smallest share in both censuses.
• Eastern and Western regions lost some share while the total population grew from about 23.15 million (2001) to 26.49 million (2011).

Conclusion: From 2001 to 2011 the population shifted towards the Terai and the Central Development Region, while the Mountain and Hill shares declined. The general pattern of uneven distribution remained the same.

The vital registration system is the continuous, compulsory and legal recording of vital events, namely births, deaths, marriages, divorces and migration, as they occur in a country, together with their characteristics. It is kept by the government (in Nepal through local bodies and the Department of National ID and Civil Registration) and is a source of demographic data and of legal proof for citizens.

Population density is the average number of persons living in one unit of land area, usually one square kilometre. It shows how crowded an area is.

$\text{Population density} = \frac{\text{Total population}}{\text{Total land area (sq. km)}}$

Example: Nepal in 2011 had a population of 26,494,504 and an area of 147,181 sq. km, so

$\text{Density} = \frac{26{,}494{,}504}{147{,}181} \approx 180 \text{ persons per sq. km}$

Points to note

• It is a crude measure because it assumes people are spread evenly. In reality, Kathmandu district is extremely dense, while mountain districts such as Manang or Mustang are very sparse.
• Density differs between regions: it is highest in the Terai and Kathmandu Valley and lowest in the Mountains.
• It helps planners decide where to provide schools, hospitals, roads and other services, and shows the pressure of population on land and resources.

Uneven availability of natural resources and economic opportunities — for example, the Terai has fertile land, industry and employment, while the mountains have harsh terrain and few facilities — so people concentrate where livelihoods are easier.

Population distribution means how the people of a country are spread over its land. In Nepal it is very uneven. According to the 2011 census, the total population was 26,494,504 and the average density was about 180 persons per sq. km.

(a) Geographical distribution

• The Terai, with only about 23% of the land area, holds more than half of the people, so it has the highest density.
• The Mountain region covers about 35% of the land but holds under 7% of the population, so it has the lowest density.
• The Hill region holds about 43% of the people; Kathmandu Valley alone is very densely settled.

(b) Rural and urban distribution

• Nepal is still mainly rural. In 2011 about 83% of the people lived in rural areas and only about 17% (about 4.5 million) in the 58 municipalities then declared urban.
• Urban population is concentrated in Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur) and in Terai cities such as Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj, plus Pokhara in the hills.
• The urban share has been rising census by census because of rural to urban migration, better jobs, education and health services in towns.

Conclusion: In 2011 the population of Nepal was concentrated in the Terai and Hills, and in rural areas, while the Mountain region was thinly populated and urbanisation was only beginning.