Nepal
Nepal is a Southern Asian country with an old tradition of independence, dating back to 1768. It borders with China to the north, through the Tibet region, and India to the south. The 30,6-million population is ethnically and linguistically very diversified. However, the only official language is Nepalese, which is spoken by less than half the population.
Nepal is a developing country with a large workforce. Most business operate in the manufacturing and tourism sectors. Recently, the Nepalese authorities have launched a massive programme of education and economic diversification, while at the same time promoting an ambitious plan for infrastructure development and the fight against climate change.
Trade relations between Nepal and Italy are stable and have been strengthened since 2018, through the establishment of the Italian-Nepalese Business Association. In Nepal, Italian companies mostly source leather, carpets and textiles. However, Italian investments also exist in strategic sectors of the Nepalese economy currently under development, such as mining, energy, tourism and infrastructure.
More than six months after the wave of unrest that shook Nepal, the country returned to the polls on 5 March 2026 to elect a new House of Representatives. The outcome marked a decisive breakthrough for the political force that most clearly embodied the legacy of those protests: the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led in this election by the young former mayor of Kathmandu, Balendra Shah.
| Head of state | Ram Chandra Poudel |
| Head of Government | KP Sharma Oli |
| Institutional Form | Federal parliamentary republic |
| Capital | Kathmandu |
| Legislative Power | The bicameral Federal Parliament is divided into: National Assembly (59 members) and House of Representatives (275 members) |
| Judicial Power | Supreme Court (Chief of Justice and 20 judges); Constitutional Council (chaired by the Prime Minister and 5 members); Judicial Council (chaired by the Chief Justice and 5 members). |
| Ambassador to Italy | Ram Prasad Subedi (residing in Geneva) |
| Total Area kmq | 147.181 km2 |
| Land | 143.351 km2 |
| Weather | Cool summers and cold winters in the north, subtropical summers and mild winters in the south |
| Natural resources | Quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small lignite deposits, copper, cobalt, iron ore |
| Economic summary | Nepal is among the least developed countries in the world, with about 1/4 of its population living below the poverty line. Nepal is heavily dependent on remittances (about 30% of GDP). Agriculture is the largest sector. |
| GDP | $36.29 billion (Dec. 2021) |
| Pro-capite GDP (Purchasing power parity) | $3878 (Dec. 2021) |
| Exports |
$874 million (2020) |
| Export partner | India 69.9%, United States 10.3%, Germany 2.98%, UK 1.95% (2020) Imports: $8.2 billion (2020) |
| Imports | $8.2 billion (2020) |
| Import partner | India 71.4%, China 14.2%, UAE 2.37%, Hong Kong 1.59% (2020) |
| Trade With Italy | $ 26, 8 million (2021) |
| Population | 30.666.598 (2022) |
| Population Growth | +0,78% (2022) |
| Ethnicities | Chettri 16,6%, Brahman 12,2%, Magar 7,1%, Tharu 6,6%, Tamang 5,8%, Newar 5%, Kami 4,8%, Yadav 4%, Rai 2,3%, Gurung 2%, Damai/Dholii 1,8%, Thakuri 1,6%, Limbu 1,5%, Sarki 1,4%, Teli 1,4%, Chamar/Harijan/Ram 1,3%, Koiri/Kushwaha 1,2%, others 19% |
| Languages | Nepalese (ufficiale) 44.6%, Maithali 11.7%, Bhojpuri 6%, Tharu 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.2%, Magar 3%, Bajjika 3%, Urdu 2.6%, Avadhi 1.9%, Limbu 1.3%, Gurung 1.2%, other 10.4% |
| Religions | Hindus 81.3%, Buddhists 9%, Islam 4.4%, Kirant 3.1%, Christians 1.4%, others 0.5% |
| Urbanization | 21,5% (2022) |
| Literacy | 67.9% |
