Despite advancements in energy access, more than half of Nepal’s households still rely on firewood for cooking, according to the final results of the National Census 2021. Out of 6.66m households nationwide, 51 percent frequently use firewood as their primary cooking fuel.   However, the data shows a decline in firewood usage compared to the 2011 census, which reported that 64 percent of households used firewood. The latest figures indicate a 13 percent decrease over the past decade. Meanwhile, 44.3 percent of households now use liquefied petroleum (LP) gas for cooking.  

The use of household energy varies by geography. Approximately 20 percent of homes rely on modern energy sources such as electricity and LP gas for cooking, while 80 percent still use traditional fuels like firewood, agricultural residues, and dung cakes. Access to electricity also varies significantly. While 99 percent of households in the Tarai region are connected to the national grid, only 32 percent of homes in the Himalayan region have grid electricity. As a result, many families in the hills and mountains depend on forests for energy needs.  

A survey conducted by the International Development Association (IDA) in 2022 found that 80 percent of rural households and 44.6 percent of urban households still used firewood for cooking. In contrast, LP gas was used in 89 percent of urban households and 57.3 percent of rural households.   Additionally, 17.4 percent of rural households and 5.4 percent of urban households use agricultural residues and dung cakes as fuel. Electricity is used for cooking in 7.3 percent of rural households and 14 percent of urban households.  

Regionally, firewood remains the dominant household fuel. In the Himalayan region, 96 percent of households use firewood for cooking, followed by 79 percent in the Tarai and 65.5 percent in the hills. Overall, firewood accounts for 84.9 percent of Nepal’s total household energy consumption.  

The heavy reliance on firewood raises concerns about deforestation, air pollution, and health risks from indoor smoke exposure. Expanding access to clean energy sources such as LP gas, electricity, and renewable alternatives could significantly improve household energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in Nepal.