Good to know
Good to Know
- The 2021 census recorded only 0.1% as 'foreigners' by ethnicity classification, a statistical artifact reflecting how the census categories work rather than the actual expat presence—visa-holding foreigners are not consistently captured in ethnicity counts.
- Pokhara's Tibetan exile community (approximately 20,000 people) is culturally significant and visible, with four established settlements featuring Buddhist monasteries and architecture.
- Despite being Nepal's second-largest city, Pokhara has historically lower expatriate settlement than Kathmandu, but this is changing as digital nomads and remote workers discover the city's affordability, improving internet, and outdoor lifestyle.
- The tech ecosystem is smaller and newer than Kathmandu's but growing, with several software development companies and startups actively operating in Lakeside and central areas.
Primary Languages
Nepali
- Percentage
- 78.8
Gurung
- Percentage
- 11
Magar
- Percentage
- 2.4
Newar
- Percentage
- 2.4
Notable Populations
Tibetan Exiles
- Note
- Part of 50,000-60,000 total Tibetan exiles in Nepal; flow of approximately 2,500 per year since 1989
- Description
- Approximately 20,000 Tibetan exiles live in four consolidated camps in and around Pokhara (Jampaling, Paljorling, Tashi Ling, Tashi Palkhel), forming a visible minority in the city.
Gurkha Soldiers
- Description
- Pokhara is home to many elite Gurkha soldiers recruited for the British Army, Nepalese Army, Indian Army, and UN peacekeeping forces.
Dominant Ethnic Groups
Hill Brahmin
- Percentage
- 28
Gurung
- Percentage
- 16.1
Chhetri
- Percentage
- 15.4
Magar
- Percentage
- 9.1
Total Population
- Year
- 2021
- Figure
- 599504
- Note
- Pokhara Metropolitan City as of 2021 Nepal census
Foreign Born Percentage
- Percentage
- 0.1
- Note
- Census records 0.1% identified as 'foreigners' by ethnicity classification in 2021
Business And Tech Presence
- Status
- Emerging tech hub
- Description
- Pokhara is one of Nepal's three major startup ecosystem hubs alongside Kathmandu and Lalitpur.
Tech Activity
- Founders Nepal platform connects 10,000+ entrepreneurs across Pokhara and other Nepal cities
- Home to companies like Yarsa Tech, Crumet Tech, JyabaTech, and Yarsa Labs building software and tech products
- Growing coworking spaces (Pokhara Coworking, Hive Pokhara) supporting remote workers and startups
- Part of Nepal's broader tech ecosystem with 15% annual IT sector growth rate and sectors including fintech, edtech, tourism tech
Expat And Digital Nomad Presence
- Status
- Growing secondary hub
- Description
- Pokhara is an emerging hotspot for expatriates and digital nomads, particularly attractive to retirees, remote workers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Appeal Factors
- Serene lakeside setting with Himalayan views offering slower pace than Kathmandu
- Lower cost of living than Kathmandu
- Growing internet infrastructure with fiber and coworking spaces
- Gateway to world-class trekking and adventure activities
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this local demographics research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Pokhara
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.