24 Percent of Nepal’s Population Linked to Securities Market

More than 24 percent of Nepal’s population is involved in the securities market, with the number of beneficiary (demat) accounts surpassing 7.17 million out of the country’s total population of over 29.1 million. However, data show that only 9 percent of the population is actively engaged in secondary market trading.

According to statistics released by the Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) on the occasion of World Investor Week 2025, the number of TMS users—required for secondary market transactions—has crossed 2.64 million.

Bagamati Province accounts for the highest share of active demat users at 31 percent, followed by Koshi (20 percent), Madhes (14 percent), Lumbini (14 percent), Gandaki (11 percent), Sudurpaschim (7 percent) and Karnali (3 percent). Bagamati also leads in TMS users with 35 percent, followed by Koshi (19 percent), Gandaki (13 percent), Madhes (12 percent), Lumbini (12 percent), Sudurpaschim (6 percent) and Karnali (3 percent).

As investor participation expands, stakeholders have stressed the need to strengthen financial literacy accordingly. Speaking at the inauguration of the World Investor Week 2025 in Kathmandu on Thursday, Nepal Rastra Bank’s Deputy Governor Bam Bahadur Mishra said capital market outreach programmes should be more village-focused rather than concentrating solely on urban areas. He added that the event would have been more effective had the inaugural session been held in a remote district instead of the capital.

Sebon Executive Director Dr Nawaraj Adhikari said the Board has been conducting regular training programmes to enhance investors’ financial literacy, but noted that week-long activities would yield broader impact. He added that Sebon is working on programmes to cover investors across all seven provinces.

World Investor Week, which began on December 11, will run until December 17. Throughout the week, nationwide programmes will be jointly organized by stakeholders including the Stock Brokers Association of Nepal, the Merchant Bankers Association of Nepal, CDS and Clearing Ltd, Nepal Stock Exchange, and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Sebon said the week-long events are expected to strengthen coordination and cooperation among securities market participants.