Kathmandu, July 14, 2025 - Marking a significant step in its development journey, the Government of Nepal launched its National Population Policy 2025 on the occasion of World Population Day, aiming to holistically address the country’s demographic challenges while safeguarding the rights and dignity of every citizen.
The newly unveiled policy places population dynamics at the center of national planning and sustainable development, focusing on critical areas such as urbanisation, youth empowerment, fertility trends, migration, and ageing populations. It emphasizes inclusive strategies that ensure equity, balance, and the full realisation of reproductive rights.
“This policy reflects people’s needs and aspirations-not just population numbers,” said Mr. Pradip Paudel, Minister for Health and Population. “It’s about creating a just and balanced society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.”
The policy was developed with the technical and strategic support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sriram Haridass, UNFPA Representative a.i., highlighted the importance of creating an environment where young people can confidently build their futures.
“Young people want to build families when they feel secure, supported, and free. Our responsibility is to create the enabling conditions for them to turn their hopes into reality,” he said.
Nepal’s population trends show a gradual demographic shift: a growing number of elderly citizens, increased internal and external migration, a decreasing fertility rate, and a large segment of youth seeking education, employment, and stability. The new policy aims to turn these challenges into opportunities by integrating population perspectives into national programs and policies.
The National Population Policy 2025 also promotes gender equality, access to reproductive health services, balanced regional development, and data-driven planning to ensure that every segment of the population is accounted for in Nepal’s path toward inclusive growth.
With this policy, Nepal joins a growing group of nations that are not only acknowledging but proactively planning for the complexities of demographic change, reinforcing the principle that population is not just a number-it is about people, their rights, and their futures.
