the population of nepal is around 29 million is comprises of around 60 ethnic groups speaking different languages which can broadly be classified as tibeto-burmans, or mongoloids from the north, and indo-aryans from the south. the mongoloids are the aboriginals or indigenous inhabitants of nepal who came through himalayan passes from north and settled in valleys of himalayas and its slopes. indo aryans came during the invasion of muslims and settled here. the largest groups in nepal can be divided on the basis of geographical location by altitude.

northern himalayan region or alpine region settlements include

• sherpas (solu khumbu region of glacial valleys at the southern approaches to everest)
• dolpa people (live in dolpa which is beyond the mountains, west of the kali gandaki river valley)
• manang bas (people of manag)
• larke & siar people (northern part gorkha and dhading district)
• lo pas of mustang (semi-deserted areas of upper and lower mustang)
• olangchung people (olanchung gola)

people leaving in middle hills and valleys include

• thakalis having mongolian features, a fair complexion and narrow eyes and thak-sat-se area of the southern mustang district is the traditional area of the thakali community
• gurungs famous for their innocence, simple mindedness, and bravery while serving in military forces and live in middle hills and valley along the southern slope of the annapurna himalaya
• magars who live in the western and central hills of nepal and their cultural practices have been influenced by chhetris
• kirantis are the oldest known peoples of nepal and comprise mainly of rais and limbu. they live in the eastern hills of nepal,
• brahmins & chhetris are the two largest groups scattered all over the country and are considered as the two highest castes in nepal.
• occupational castes include kamis (smiths), damais (tailors), dhibis (washerman) sarkis (cobblers), gaines (professional singers) and khumbharas (porters)

newars are the original inhabitant and indigenous ethnic group of kathmandu valley.

the main ethnic group in terai include

• brahmans & rajputs who imilar to bramin and chhetris of the middle hills
• tharus who are largest and oldest ethnic group of the terai belt found living in close proximity to densely forested regions and are dark in complexion.
• rajbanis residing in far eastern terai areas of jhapa and morang
• satars, who are similar to santhals of bihar, india and are like tharus.
• musalmans are muslims migrated from northern india