2nd National Economic Census from March 15

KATHMANDU: The National Statistics Office (NSO) is conducting the Second National Economic Census, 2025, across the country from March 15.

The census, which is expected to give a comprehensive and realistic picture of Nepal’s overall economic condition through statistical measurement, will continue till mid-July.

The NSO has already established district-level Economic Census Offices in all districts to facilitate data collection.

According to the NSO, the results of the census will be made public gradually, starting from the beginning of the fiscal year 2026/27.

The census is expected to provide fundamental and reliable data to support the formulation of national economic policies, plans, and development strategies, NSO officials say.

Nepal conducted its first National Economic Census in 2018. BS. The census recorded 923,356 establishments and businesses across the country, employing a total of 3,228,457 people. The findings also showed that around 929,650 establishments—nearly 30%—were managed by women. Additionally, the census revealed that the number of formal and informal establishments was almost equal.

The upcoming census aims to collect detailed information on the number, types, investment, employment, production, and service delivery of industries, trade and business entities, service sectors, cooperatives, and public and private institutions.

According to the NSO, the data will be used to strengthen estimates of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generate necessary statistics for changing the base year of national accounts, and assist the government in policy formulation, planning, and monitoring policy targets.

The NSO said the census will play a vital role in building a strong institutional foundation for economic statistics. It is also expected to contribute significantly to short-term and long-term economic planning, investment promotion, and employment generation.

The census will cover registered and unregistered large and small enterprises, self-employed units, industries and factories, trading and business entities, non-governmental organizations, government institutions, as well as public and private schools, hospitals, and other economic units engaged in productive activities.

However, international organizations, diplomatic missions, government offices engaged in administrative and regulatory functions, security agencies, and purely household activities will be excluded from the census, according to the NSO.