The most authoritative total for Nepali citizens residing abroad is approximately 2.19 million (International Organization for Migration (IOM) / Nepal diaspora mapping utilizing 2021 census / government data).
This figure encompasses a significant number of major host countries, including:
- United States: Approximately 225,000 individuals identifying as Nepalese (2023 estimate).
- United Kingdom: Approximately 77,349 Nepal-born residents (England 2021; additional contributions from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland).
- Australia: 122,506 individuals born in Nepal (2021 census).
- Canada: Approximately 22,000 individuals by ancestry (2021 census figure approximates 21,975; place-of-birth counts are similar but smaller).
These four countries collectively account for approximately 447,000 Nepal-born or Nepal-identifying individuals (225,000 + 77,349 + 122,506 + 21,975 = ~446,830). (Calculation based on the cited figures above.)
Resettlement and Citizenship
There is no single authoritative global total for Nepali citizens. However, using host-country sources where citizenship data are available, we can confidently assert that tens of thousands, likely exceeding 100,000, individuals of Nepali origin now hold citizenship in other countries.
For instance, Australia’s 2021 census indicates that 21.1% of Nepal-born individuals are Australian citizens (21.1% of 122,506 approximately equals 25,849 naturalized Australians of Nepal birth). Additionally, the United States has witnessed thousands of Nepali naturalizations annually in recent years, and cumulative counts of Nepali-born individuals who have acquired U.S. citizenship are reported in the tens of thousands.
Country-by-Country Statistics (Key Items, Official Sources)
Global Government/Nepal Government/International Organization for Migration (IOM): Approximately 2.19 million Nepali citizens reside abroad, comprising the diaspora (diaspora mapping based on the 2021 census and IOM work). This figure serves as the authoritative reference for Nepali citizens abroad.
United States: Approximately 225,000 individuals identified as Nepalese (U.S. Census Bureau/Pew summary, 2023 estimates). This figure encompasses individuals identifying as Nepalese, including naturalized U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and some recent arrivals.
United Kingdom: 77,349 Nepal-born residents reside in England (2021 census); smaller counts exist in other UK nations. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and census are the primary sources for UK counts.
Australia: 122,506 Nepal-born individuals (2021 census quickstats). The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) also reports that approximately 21.1% of Nepal-born individuals are Australian citizens, equating to approximately 25,849 Australian citizens (2021 snapshot).
Canada: Approximately 21,975 individuals by Nepali ancestry (2021 census); strict “born in Nepal” figures can be obtained from StatsCan tables.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Malaysia: Large numbers of Nepali migrant workers are employed across GCC countries and Malaysia. Official host-country labor statistics are not uniform. Nepal’s own international migration and census reporting documents substantial outflows to the Gulf and Malaysia. These migrants are included in the approximately 2.19 million diaspora count when they retain Nepali citizenship. For comprehensive health and worker counts and related issues, refer to Nepal’s International Migration report and academic summaries.
Naturalization Abroad: A Global Perspective
The absence of a consolidated global register for naturalized citizens stems from the fact that host countries maintain the records of these individuals. Notably, Nepal prohibits dual citizenship, rendering its government unable to compile a comprehensive list of former Nepali citizens who have acquired foreign citizenship. Consequently, a worldwide tally of such citizens becomes challenging without the compilation of data from host countries.
To illustrate this, let’s consider specific examples:
- Australia (2021): Approximately 25,849 individuals of Nepalese origin were Australian citizens, representing 21.1% of the total population of 122,506 citizens (Australian Bureau of Statistics).
- United States: Recent reports indicate that thousands of individuals from Nepal are naturalized annually. Over the years, cumulative Nepali-born naturalizations have been reported in the tens of thousands. For precise numerical figures, it is advisable to refer to the naturalization-by-country-of-birth tables maintained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).