Urban area over the long-term in Nepal
Nepal: Urban area over the long-term was 680.09 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
680.09 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 3.2%
World rank
110th
of 202 countries
All-time high
680.09 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0004 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Nepal, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in Nepal stood at 680.09 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
The figure is up 3.2% on the previous year and up 39.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Nepal peaked at 680.09 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0004 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
That places Nepal 110th out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Nepal, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0004 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0012 km² per grid cell | +220.0% |
| 1200 | 0.0037 km² per grid cell | +218.8% |
| 1300 | 0.0119 km² per grid cell | +217.6% |
| 1400 | 0.0375 km² per grid cell | +216.7% |
| 1500 | 0.1185 km² per grid cell | +215.8% |
| 1600 | 0.4434 km² per grid cell | +274.1% |
| 1700 | 1.55 km² per grid cell | +250.4% |
| 1710 | 1.78 km² per grid cell | +14.6% |
| 1720 | 1.98 km² per grid cell | +11.2% |
| 1730 | 2.2 km² per grid cell | +11.0% |
| 1740 | 2.43 km² per grid cell | +10.7% |
| 1750 | 2.69 km² per grid cell | +10.5% |
| 1760 | 2.96 km² per grid cell | +10.2% |
| 1770 | 3.25 km² per grid cell | +9.9% |
| 1780 | 3.56 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1790 | 3.89 km² per grid cell | +9.2% |
| 1800 | 4.23 km² per grid cell | +8.9% |
| 1810 | 4.6 km² per grid cell | +8.5% |
| 1820 | 4.97 km² per grid cell | +8.2% |
| 1830 | 5.44 km² per grid cell | +9.4% |
| 1840 | 5.98 km² per grid cell | +9.9% |
| 1850 | 6.55 km² per grid cell | +9.7% |
| 1860 | 7.16 km² per grid cell | +9.2% |
| 1870 | 7.79 km² per grid cell | +8.8% |
| 1880 | 8.58 km² per grid cell | +10.2% |
| 1890 | 9.42 km² per grid cell | +9.8% |
| 1900 | 10.01 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 1910 | 11.14 km² per grid cell | +11.2% |
| 1920 | 13.49 km² per grid cell | +21.1% |
| 1930 | 15.37 km² per grid cell | +13.9% |
| 1940 | 17.51 km² per grid cell | +14.0% |
| 1950 | 19.98 km² per grid cell | +14.1% |
| 1951 | 20.79 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1952 | 21.62 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1953 | 22.48 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1954 | 23.37 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1955 | 24.3 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1956 | 25.28 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1957 | 26.29 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1958 | 27.35 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1959 | 28.45 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1960 | 29.62 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1961 | 30.83 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1962 | 31.64 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1963 | 32.48 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 1964 | 33.36 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 1965 | 34.28 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1966 | 35.25 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1967 | 36.26 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1968 | 37.32 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1969 | 38.42 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1970 | 39.57 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1971 | 40.81 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1972 | 43.59 km² per grid cell | +6.8% |
| 1973 | 46.55 km² per grid cell | +6.8% |
| 1974 | 49.74 km² per grid cell | +6.8% |
| 1975 | 53.14 km² per grid cell | +6.8% |
| 1976 | 56.79 km² per grid cell | +6.9% |
| 1977 | 60.69 km² per grid cell | +6.9% |
| 1978 | 64.85 km² per grid cell | +6.9% |
| 1979 | 69.3 km² per grid cell | +6.9% |
| 1980 | 74.04 km² per grid cell | +6.8% |
| 1981 | 79.06 km² per grid cell | +6.8% |
| 1982 | 83.69 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1983 | 88.57 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1984 | 93.73 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1985 | 99.16 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1986 | 104.9 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1987 | 110.95 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1988 | 117.37 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1989 | 124.16 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1990 | 131.36 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1991 | 139.05 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1992 | 148.26 km² per grid cell | +6.6% |
| 1993 | 158.07 km² per grid cell | +6.6% |
| 1994 | 168.52 km² per grid cell | +6.6% |
| 1995 | 179.62 km² per grid cell | +6.6% |
| 1996 | 191.45 km² per grid cell | +6.6% |
| 1997 | 203.96 km² per grid cell | +6.5% |
| 1998 | 217.19 km² per grid cell | +6.5% |
| 1999 | 231.12 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 2000 | 245.78 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 2001 | 260.36 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 2002 | 275.28 km² per grid cell | +5.7% |
| 2003 | 290.55 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 2004 | 306.16 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 2005 | 322.11 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 2006 | 337.91 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 2007 | 354.01 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 2008 | 370.41 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 2009 | 387.12 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 2010 | 404.13 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 2011 | 420.37 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 2012 | 436.89 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2013 | 453.68 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2014 | 470.74 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2015 | 488.07 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2016 | 505.67 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2017 | 523.53 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2018 | 541.67 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2019 | 560.07 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2020 | 578.74 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 2021 | 598.45 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 618.44 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 2023 | 638.71 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 2024 | 659.26 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 2025 | 680.09 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
Nepal compared with similar countries
- Nepal's 680.09 km² per grid cell is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 837.49 km² per grid cell, 81% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Nepal's 680.09 km² per grid cell is above the median for South Asia, which is 680.09 km² per grid cell, 1.0× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Nepal changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1600 | +274.1% | 0.1185 km² per grid cell | 0.4434 km² per grid cell |
| 1700 | +250.4% | 0.4434 km² per grid cell | 1.55 km² per grid cell |
| 1100 | +220.0% | 0.0004 km² per grid cell | 0.0012 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +218.8% | 0.0012 km² per grid cell | 0.0037 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +217.6% | 0.0037 km² per grid cell | 0.0119 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +216.7% | 0.0119 km² per grid cell | 0.0375 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0004 km² per grid cell | 0.0004 km² per grid cell | 0.0004 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0012 km² per grid cell | 0.0012 km² per grid cell | 0.0012 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.0037 km² per grid cell | 0.0037 km² per grid cell | 0.0037 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.0119 km² per grid cell | 0.0119 km² per grid cell | 0.0119 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.0375 km² per grid cell | 0.0375 km² per grid cell | 0.0375 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 0.1185 km² per grid cell | 0.1185 km² per grid cell | 0.1185 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 0.4434 km² per grid cell | 0.4434 km² per grid cell | 0.4434 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 1.55 km² per grid cell | 1.55 km² per grid cell | 1.55 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 1.78 km² per grid cell | 1.78 km² per grid cell | 1.78 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 1.98 km² per grid cell | 1.98 km² per grid cell | 1.98 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 2.2 km² per grid cell | 2.2 km² per grid cell | 2.2 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 2.43 km² per grid cell | 2.43 km² per grid cell | 2.43 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 2.69 km² per grid cell | 2.69 km² per grid cell | 2.69 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 2.96 km² per grid cell | 2.96 km² per grid cell | 2.96 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 3.25 km² per grid cell | 3.25 km² per grid cell | 3.25 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 3.56 km² per grid cell | 3.56 km² per grid cell | 3.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 3.89 km² per grid cell | 3.89 km² per grid cell | 3.89 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 4.23 km² per grid cell | 4.23 km² per grid cell | 4.23 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 4.6 km² per grid cell | 4.6 km² per grid cell | 4.6 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 4.97 km² per grid cell | 4.97 km² per grid cell | 4.97 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 5.44 km² per grid cell | 5.44 km² per grid cell | 5.44 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 5.98 km² per grid cell | 5.98 km² per grid cell | 5.98 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 6.55 km² per grid cell | 6.55 km² per grid cell | 6.55 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 7.16 km² per grid cell | 7.16 km² per grid cell | 7.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 7.79 km² per grid cell | 7.79 km² per grid cell | 7.79 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 8.58 km² per grid cell | 8.58 km² per grid cell | 8.58 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 9.42 km² per grid cell | 9.42 km² per grid cell | 9.42 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 10.01 km² per grid cell | 10.01 km² per grid cell | 10.01 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 11.14 km² per grid cell | 11.14 km² per grid cell | 11.14 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 13.49 km² per grid cell | 13.49 km² per grid cell | 13.49 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 15.37 km² per grid cell | 15.37 km² per grid cell | 15.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 17.51 km² per grid cell | 17.51 km² per grid cell | 17.51 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 23.99 km² per grid cell | 19.98 km² per grid cell | 28.45 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 33.94 km² per grid cell | 29.62 km² per grid cell | 38.42 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 52.5 km² per grid cell | 39.57 km² per grid cell | 69.3 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 97.56 km² per grid cell | 74.04 km² per grid cell | 124.16 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 176.86 km² per grid cell | 131.36 km² per grid cell | 231.12 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 314.97 km² per grid cell | 245.78 km² per grid cell | 387.12 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 480.48 km² per grid cell | 404.13 km² per grid cell | 560.07 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 628.95 km² per grid cell | 578.74 km² per grid cell | 680.09 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
More reference data data for Nepal
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.7753 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 4.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7853 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 4.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 2.6 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.7974 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 11.28 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 19.44 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.28 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Nepal?
- Urban area over the long-term in Nepal was 680.09 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 680.09 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0004 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Nepal rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Nepal ranks 110th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 39.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nepal data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.