Second National Economic Census in Nepal
An economic census is a broad census related to business and economic activities. It produces important statistics and information on production, employment, business structure, the entrepreneurial environment, and related areas.
The details and conclusions generated in this way are useful for policymakers, businesspeople, entrepreneurs, ordinary citizens, and anyone engaged in research. The data helps in understanding national economic activity, preparing plans, and creating a foundation to operate economic transformation activities that support sustainable development.
From the results of this type of census, it is also possible to identify economically strong sectors as well as sectors where improvements are expected.
Timeline and scope of Nepal’s second National Economic Census
A second National Economic Census is scheduled to be conducted across Nepal from 2083 Baisakh 2 to Asar 7, with the aim of collecting basic details of all business and economic units nationwide.
The census will be conducted under the main slogan “Economic Census for Measuring the Economy,” and it is expected to gather important economic information across the country.
Key results from the first National Economic Census 2075
According to the results of the first census conducted in 2075, Nepal had a total of 923,356 establishments and businesses, and 3,228,457 people were engaged in those establishments.
In addition, the results of the first National Economic Census showed that 30 percent of establishments across the country had women managers.
What the first census showed about the informal sector and business structure
The results of Nepal’s first economic census conducted in 2075 showed the dominance of the informal sector. Statistics were collected and analyzed on various aspects of more than nine hundred thousand establishments.
According to those findings, nearly 50 percent of establishments were informal. The results also showed that the service sector (trade, hotels, transportation, education, health, etc.) had the largest share, and that most establishments were micro and small in scale.
Similarly, the results accepted that establishment density is higher in urban areas and that the private sector naturally makes the main contribution to operating establishments.
It is believed that the statistics collected through an economic census not only support policymaking but also help create a business and industrial environment.
International context: India, China, and the United States
India started conducting an economic census in 1977 and completed its seventh National Economic Census in 2018, in which digital platforms were widely used.
Before publishing the final results of that census, approvals were also obtained from all state governments. The eighth census is planned to be carried out in the current year, 2026.
In China, the results of the fifth economic census were made public in December 2024. That latest census is considered to have prepared a basis for accounting of secondary- and tertiary-level industrial businesses.
The results show a 52.7 percent increase compared to the census conducted in 2018.
In the United States, the first economic census was conducted in 1954 and has been carried out every five years. The results of the most recent census conducted in 2022 were published in 2024 and 2025.
That latest census especially included various aspects of e-commerce, such as online retail and shipping.
Coverage framework and sectors excluded from Nepal’s census
It has been stated that Nepal’s first census in 2075 included economic units from 18 groups relevant to Nepal out of 21 groups covered by the International Standard Industrial Classification developed under the leadership of the United Nations, and that the second census will also be group-based.
Four sectors are not included in this census. Among those four, agriculture, forestry, and fishing can be said to be included only partially, and informal activities in this sector will not be included.
Similarly, as with the first census, the following among the 21 sectors will remain outside the economic census:
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Public administration and security
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Household activities as employers
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Activities of international organizations and institutions
Core concepts used in the economic census
Economic activity, establishment, and economic unit are the basic concepts for this census.
In general, any activity that produces goods and services and adds value to national output is called an economic activity. From this perspective, activities related to the production, distribution, marketing, and sale of goods and services fall under economic activities.
Likewise, an establishment refers to an economic unit that, under the same ownership or control, operates at a specific location and carries out one and the same, or mainly one, economic activity, or remains engaged in economic activities.
An economic unit refers to an entity that carries out one or more economic activities for profit, for its own consumption, or for the direct benefit of the community.
Why updating establishment and business statistics is treated as important
Updating and collecting statistical details on the production and services of businesses, industries, trade, cooperatives, and establishments is a task that is rarely done.
In a context where some programs have been postponed due to elections and other reasons, and where economic issues have been pushed into the background, the decision to advance the collection of data used as a basis for analysis with priority can be taken as a prudent government decision that recognizes the relevance and utility of such data.
From the perspective of usefulness, the results of the census will not only help set economic targets and measure progress, but will also help strengthen estimates of gross domestic product and national accounts.
How the results will support national accounts, surveys, registers, and plan monitoring
The census will also provide the data required to change the base year of the national accounts that are prepared every four months.
In addition, the results of the economic census will be used to prepare a sampling frame for social and economic surveys conducted at different times, and to prepare a statistical business register.
It also appears useful for measuring progress toward the targets set by the 16th Plan, especially for measuring informal and unrecorded indicators.
In summary, the economic census appears to help understand the condition of economic units and, through that, the condition of the national economy.
Constitutional, legal, and budget basis for the economic census
We also find that the current constitution, laws, and budget provide a basis for the economic census.
Under the State Policies of the Constitution of Nepal, provisions related especially to economic, industrial, and commercial policies require data collection in order to be systematized.
Such censuses are conducted in line with the intent of the Statistics Act, 2079 and the Statistics Regulation, 2080.
This program, included in the policy and program and budget statement of the current fiscal year 2082/83, has received a budget, and the Administrative and Financial Standards Related to Conducting the National Economic Census, 2082 have also been approved.
After finalizing the main questionnaire to be used in the census, an official notice will be published for the information of all, and the census work will be carried out by managing additional human resources and conducting training.
Method to be used and full enumeration approach
Considering the methods to be used in the second National Economic Census, after listing establishments, one of the following methods will be adopted based on the choice of the industry or business operator:
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Direct interviews based on a paper questionnaire
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An e-census conducted through electronic tools
For data collection, a full enumeration method will be used.
In the course of the census, special importance has been given to maintaining quality in the production and supply of statistics, as mentioned in the second National Strategy for Statistics Development.
For this census, the National Statistics Office, the official body of the Government of Nepal that has been conducting many censuses and surveys such as the population census, agricultural census, and industrial census, has been made responsible again, as in the first census.
Main questionnaire: areas covered
A main questionnaire with 15 sections will be used. It covers details that reveal the establishment’s location and identification, registration and legal status, details of the manager and business owner, the institutional sector of the establishment or business, organizational status, the name and address of the head office and the number of subordinate offices, details of persons involved in the establishment or business, operational details of the establishment or business, ownership of the main building and land in operation, arrangements related to accounting records and insurance, annual operating expenses and sales for the reference year, details related to capital investment, the three main problems observed in operating the establishment or business, and details of the person providing answers.
A main questionnaire with sections will be used, which includes the following:
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Details revealing the location and identification of the establishment
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Registration and legal status
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Details of the manager and business owner
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Institutional sector of the establishment/business
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Organizational status
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Name and address of the head office and the number of branch/subordinate offices
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Details of persons involved in the establishment/business
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Operational details of the establishment/business
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Ownership of the main building and land in operation
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Accounting records and insurance arrangements
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Annual operating expenses and sales for the reference year
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Details related to capital investment
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The three main problems observed in operating the establishment/business
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Details of the respondent (the person providing answers)
Suitable interval and expectations from the second census
Conducting an economic census is generally considered appropriate within an interval of five to ten years.
Nepal’s second National Economic Census, which will be conducted soon, will not only test the health of the economy but will also obtain practical feedback from the views of industrialists and businesspeople to help create an entrepreneurial environment.
In addition, based on the results obtained, it appears helpful for moving forward on the journey toward a self-reliant economy through local economic development, using reform policies and programs, and also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
A positive role from all stakeholders is expected to make the second National Economic Census successful.
