Nepal

Nepali

[npi] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1990, Interim Constitution, 2063, Article 5(2)). 11,100,000 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing. Population total all countries: 14,160,100.

3 (Wider communication)

Hindi

[hin] 3 (Wider communication). 106,000 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing.

Newar

[new] 3 (Wider communication). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 825,000 in Nepal (2001 census), decreasing. Many women are monolingual. Population total all countries: 839,000. Ethnic population: 1,260,000 including 1,245,000 Newar plus 11,500 Pahari.

4 (Educational)

Avadhi

[awa] 4 (Educational). 561,000 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing. The 2001 census does not distinguish between the Avadhi and Bhojpuri languages in the Rupandehi and Nawalparasi districts. Speakers of Dehati (alternate name for Avadhi in the Kailali and Kanchanpur districts) were not included in the 2001 census.

Bengali

[ben] 4 (Educational). 23,600 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing.

Bhojpuri

[bho] 4 (Educational). 1,710,000 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing.

Dotyali

[dty] 4 (Educational). 250,000 in Nepal (2012 Tribhuvan University).

Mundari

[unr] 4 (Educational). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 7,780 in Nepal (2006).

Tamang, Eastern

[taj] 4 (Educational). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 1,180,000 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing. In some remote communities, particularly women, children and elderly people are monolingual. Population total all countries: 1,197,500. Ethnic population: 1,290,000 (2001 census).

Tibetan

[bod] 4 (Educational). 5,280 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing.

Urdu

[urd] 4 (Educational). 175,000 in Nepal (2001 census).

5 (Developing)

Dolpo

[dre] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 8,000 (2010 K. Kopp). 6,000 monolinguals (2010 K. Kopp). Ethnic population: 8,000 (2010 K. Kopp).

Helambu Sherpa

[scp] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 3,990 (2001 census). Very few monolinguals.

Khaling

[klr] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 18,000 in Nepal (2002 UNESCO), decreasing. No monolinguals. 9,290 (2001 census). Ethnic population: 20,000.

Kham, Western Parbate

[kjl] 5 (Developing). 24,500 (2003 SIL), increasing.

Koi

[kkt] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 2,640 (2001 census).

Lhomi

[lhm] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 5,660 in Nepal (2002 SIL), increasing. Population total all countries: 7,980. Ethnic population: 15,000.

Limbu

[lif] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 334,000 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing. Relatively few monolinguals. Population total all countries: 371,300.

Maithili

[mai] 5 (Developing). De facto language of national identity. 2,800,000 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing.

Marwari

[rwr] 5 (Developing). 22,600 in Nepal (2001 census). Ethnic population: 44,000.

Nepalese Sign Language

[nsp] 5 (Developing). 5,740 (2001 census). Most are monolingual.

Rajbanshi

[rjs] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 130,000 (2001 census), increasing.

Santhali

[sat] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 40,300 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing. Very few monolinguals. Ethnic population: 42,700.

Sherpa

[xsr] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 122,000 in Nepal (2001 census), decreasing. A few elderly monolinguals in remote villages (UNESCO). Population total all countries: 145,800. Ethnic population: 155,000 (2001 census).

Tamang, Western

[tdg] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 323,000 (2000), increasing. Mostly monolingual below school age or over 60 years of age.

Tharu, Chitwania

[the] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 285,000 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing. 60,100 Chitwan, 92,800 Nawalparasi, 41,000 Parsa, 63,300 Bara, 27,500 Rautahat (2001 census).

Tharu, Dangaura

[thl] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 500,000 in Nepal (2003), increasing. 10%–15% monolingual. Population total all countries: 674,000.

Tharu, Kochila

[thq] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 258,000 in Nepal (2003), increasing. Mostly illiterate older women are monolingual. Population for all Tharu varieties: 1,331,500 (2001 census).

Tharu, Rana

[thr] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 336,000 in Nepal (2006), increasing. Population total all countries: 486,000.

Thulung

[tdh] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 30,000 in Nepal (2003). A few elderly monolinguals. Thulung communities also in Bhojpur and Sankhuwasabha districts, scattered in Udayapur, Morang, Panchthar, and Ilam districts. Migrants may not speak Thulung as L1.

Wambule

[wme] 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 4,470 (2001 census). A few elderly monolinguals.

6a (Vigorous)

Bagheli

[bfy] 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20). Ethnic population: 137,000 Kewat (2001 census).

Bahing

[bhj] 6a (Vigorous). 12,600 (Lee et al. 2005).

Ghale, Southern

[ghe] 6a (Vigorous). 21,500 (2006 SIL).

Humla

[hut] 6a (Vigorous). 4,000 (Sharma and Gautam 1999).

Jhankot Sign Language

[jhs] 6a (Vigorous). Population is 10% of the village population.

Jumli

[jml] 6a (Vigorous). 40,000 (2001 SIL). 19,000 monolinguals.

Kagate

[syw] 6a (Vigorous). 1,500 (2012 SIL). Very few monolinguals.

Kaike

[kzq] 6a (Vigorous). 2,000 (2011 SIL), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 2,000 (2011 A. Regmi).

Kayort

[kyv] 6a (Vigorous). 22,000 (2002).

Kham, Gamale

[kgj] 6a (Vigorous). 13,100 (2000), increasing.

Kisan

[sck] 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 490 in Nepal (2001 census).

Kuke

[ght] 6a (Vigorous). 1,300 (1992).

Kyirong

[kgy] 6a (Vigorous). 4,790 in Nepal (2000).

Loke

[loy] 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 7,500 (2001 census). 5,000 Upper Mustang and 2,500 Baragaunle.

Mugom

[muk] 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 6,500 in Nepal (2006 SIL). 25% monolingual (UNESCO 02). Population total all countries: 7,000. Ethnic population: 6,500.

Naaba

[nao] 6a (Vigorous). 770 (2006).

Nar Phu

[npa] 6a (Vigorous). 600 (2011 K. Hildebrandt). 200 Phu speakers, 400 Nar speakers.

Nubri

[kte] 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 2,000 (2001 census). 500 monolinguals.

Seke

[skj] 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 700 (2002 SIL).

Tamang, Eastern Gorkha

[tge] 6a (Vigorous). 3,980 (2000).

Tamang, Northwestern

[tmk] 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 55,000 (1991 census), increasing.

Tamang, Southwestern

[tsf] 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 109,000 (1991 census), increasing.

Tharu, Kathariya

[tkt] 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 106,000 in Nepal (2006).

Thudam

[thw] 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 1,800 (2000).

Tichurong

[tcn] 6a (Vigorous). 2,420 (2000).

Tsum

[ttz] 6a (Vigorous). 4,790 (2000).

6b (Threatened)

Angika

[anp] 6b (Threatened). 15,900 in Nepal (2001 census), decreasing.

Athpariya

[aph] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, Education Plan, Section 1.1.3), Rai nationality. 2,000 (Ebert 1994), decreasing.

Bantawa

[bap] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 371,000 in Nepal (2001 census). Less than 5% monolinguals. Population total all countries: 404,600.

Belhariya

[byw] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 3,500 (2002 UNESCO), decreasing.

Bote

[bmj] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 2,820 (2001 census), decreasing. No monolinguals (2002 UNESCO). Ethnic population: 7,970.

Byangsi

[bee] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 1,730 in Nepal (2001 census), decreasing. Almost no monolinguals (2002 UNESCO). Population total all countries: 4,560. Ethnic population: 2,100.

Chamling

[rab] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 12,100 in Nepal (2006), decreasing. Very few monolinguals.

Chantyal

[chx] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 2,000 (Noonan 1997), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 9,820 (2001 census).

Chepang

[cdm] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 36,800 (2001 census), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 52,200.

Chhintang

[ctn] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 3,500 (2008 CPDP), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 5,000.

Darai

[dry] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 10,200 (2001 census), decreasing. Very few monolinguals. Ethnic population: 14,900.

Dhimal

[dhi] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 17,300 in Nepal (2001 census), decreasing. Population total all countries: 17,750. Ethnic population: 19,500.

Dungmali

[raa] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 220 (2001 census), decreasing. 150 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 10,000.

Ghale, Northern

[ghh] 6b (Threatened). 4,440 (2006 SIL). 400 monolinguals.

Gurung, Eastern

[ggn] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 227,000 (2007), decreasing. 23,000 monolinguals. 339,000 all Gurung languages in Nepal (2001 census). Ethnic population: 544,000.

Gurung, Western

[gvr] 6b (Threatened). 125,000 in Nepal (2007), increasing. 12,000 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 158,000. Ethnic population: 544,000.

Jerung

[jee] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 2,000 (Opgenort 2005).

Jirel

[jul] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 7,070 (2000), decreasing.

Jumla Sign Language

[jus] 6b (Threatened). 8 (2005 INF). 100% monolingual.

Kham, Eastern Parbate

[kif] 6b (Threatened). 7,500 (2003 SIL), decreasing. No adult monolinguals.

Kham, Sheshi

[kip] 6b (Threatened). 20,000 (2003), decreasing.

Kharia

[khr] 6b (Threatened). 1,580 in Nepal (2001 census).

Kulung

[kle] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 18,700 in Nepal (2001 census).

Kurux, Nepali

[kxl] 6b (Threatened). 28,600 (2001 census), decreasing. No monolinguals (2002 UNESCO). Ethnic population: 41,800 Dhagar (Jhagar).

Lohorung

[lbr] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 4,970 (2002 Sankhuwasabha District Development Committee).

Lumba-Yakkha

[luu] 6b (Threatened). 1,200 (2000).

Magar, Eastern

[mgp] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 462,000 in Nepal (2001), decreasing. Isolated enclaves of monolinguals are found in Nawalparasi and southern Tanahu districts. The identification of Magars is complicated by the fact that a number of other ethnic groups (Chantyal, Kham, Kaike, Kusunda, Raute, Raji) have claimed to be Magars to outsiders. Population total all countries: 533,700. Ethnic population: 1,620,000 ethnic Magar (2001 census).

Magar, Western

[mrd] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 308,000 (2001 census), decreasing. Census statistics likely include non-ethnic Magars and many that do not speak Magar. Ethnic population: 1,620,000 ethnic Magar (2001 census) includes both Eastern and Western Magar.

Majhi

[mjz] 6b (Threatened). 21,800 in Nepal (2001 census), decreasing. Population total all countries: 42,200. Ethnic population: 72,600.

Manangba

[nmm] 6b (Threatened). 3,740 (Pohle 1988), decreasing.

Meche

[brx] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 3,300 in Nepal (2001 census). No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,760 (2001 census).

Mewahang, Eastern

[emg] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. Almost no monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,000.

Mewahang, Western

[raf] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. Few monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,000.

Musasa

[smm] 6b (Threatened). 50,000 (2003). 20,000 Musasa and 30,000 Musasa Bantar. Ethnic population: 172,000 in Nepal.

Puma

[pum] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 5,000 (2008 CPDP), decreasing.

Raji

[rji] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 2,410 (2001 census), decreasing. Ethnic population: Over 4,000.

Raute

[rau] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 830 (2006 J. Fortier), decreasing. All nomadic Raute are monolingual.

Sampang

[rav] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 6,000 (1999 R. Huysmans), decreasing. No monolinguals. Phali dialect spoken by a few elderly speakers.

Sunwar

[suz] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 26,611 (2001 census). Very few monolinguals. Ethnic population: 95,300 (2001 census).

Thangmi

[thf] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 24,200 in Nepal (Turin 2007), decreasing. 100 monolinguals (2002 UNESCO). Population total all countries: 25,000. Ethnic population: 35,000 (Turin 2007).

Walungge

[ola] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 1,500 in Nepal (2001 census), decreasing. 1,200 in the original language area. High language loss among those who have left the language area.

Yakkha

[ybh] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 14,600 in Nepal (2001 census), decreasing. Very few monolinguals. Population total all countries: 15,410. Ethnic population: 17,000.

Yamphu

[ybi] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 1,720 (2001 census), decreasing.

Yamphu, Southern

[lrr] 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 2,500 (2011 SIL), decreasing.

7 (Shifting)

Bhujel

[byh] 7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 3,900 (Regmi 2007), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 7,200 (Regmi 2007).

Chhulung

[cur] 7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 1,310 (2001 census), decreasing. L1 speakers dwindling (Van Driem 2007).

Danuwar

[dhw] 7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 31,800 (2001 census), decreasing. No monolinguals (Toba, Toba, and Rai 2005). Ethnic population: 53,200.

Dumi

[dus] 7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 2,500 (2009 Isilim magazine), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 12,000.

Kumhali

[kra] 7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 6,530 (2001 census), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 99,400.

Lapcha

[lep] 7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 2,830 in Nepal (2001 census), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,660.

Mugali

[lmh] 7 (Shifting). 1,500 (2010 I. Rai), decreasing. Very few monolinguals.

Nachering

[ncd] 7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 3,550 (2001 census), decreasing.

Phangduwali

[phw] 7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai natonality.

Sonha

[soi] 7 (Shifting). 14,700 (2000), decreasing. No monolinguals.

Thakali

[ths] 7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 6,440 (2001 census), decreasing. Ethnic population: 13,000 (2001 census).

Wayu

[vay] 7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 1,740 (2001 census), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,800 (2001 census) to 2,800 (2000).

8a (Moribund)

Chukwa

[cuw] 8a (Moribund). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 100 (2011 SIL), decreasing. Only 5 fluent speakers (2011).

Tilung

[tij] 8a (Moribund). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 310 (2001 census), decreasing.

8b (Nearly extinct)

Baram

[brd] 8b (Nearly extinct). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 50 (2010 LEDBL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 7,380 (2001 census).

Ghandruk Sign Language

[gds] 8b (Nearly extinct). 20 (2011 SIL).

Kusunda

[kgg] 8b (Nearly extinct). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). 7 (2005 SIL), decreasing. No monolinguals. 87 reported in 2001 census, in Pyuthan, Dang and Tanahun. Ethnic population: 160.

Saam

[raq] 8b (Nearly extinct). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality. 23 (2001 census).

9 (Dormant)

Dura

[drq] 9 (Dormant). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C). No known L1 speakers. Ethnic population: 3,400 (2001 census).

Sanskrit

[san] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers in Nepal.

10 (Extinct)

Palpa

[plp] 10 (Extinct). No remaining speakers.

Waling

[wly] 10 (Extinct). No remaining speakers.

Unattested

Lingkhim

[lii] Unattested. 97 (2001 census).

Ethnologue

Nepal

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