Kathmandu, May 11 : The use of the Nepali language has seen a substantial rise over the past two decades, with a notable increase in the number of individuals adopting it as a second language, according to recent data published by the National Statistics Office (NSO).
As per the national census data, 25.2 percent of the population reported speaking Nepali as a second language in 2001. This figure increased to 32.8 percent in 2011 and reached 46.2 percent in the 2021 census, marking a 21 percentage point increase over a span of twenty years.
Among the provinces, Madhesh Province recorded the highest proportion of people using Nepali as a second language, whereas Karnali Province recorded the lowest. Despite this shift, Nepal continues to recognize 124 mother tongues, and members from 117 linguistic communities report speaking a second language. The majority of these communities continue to use their ancestral languages as their primary or mother tongues.
Chief Statistics Officer Madhu Sudan Burlakoti highlighted that the growing prevalence of the Nepali language underscores its role as a unifying medium among speakers of various indigenous languages. “Nepali functions as a bridge language,” he stated. “Its integration in official domains such as workplaces, civil service examinations, and public communication has significantly contributed to its widespread adoption.”
The findings reflect broader linguistic trends in Nepal, where increasing interconnectivity and institutional use of Nepali have reinforced its status as a lingua franca among the country’s diverse linguistic population.
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