Much has been written about the geographic marginality, physiographic diversity and marginalized
ethnic groups in Nepal. However, very little attention is paid to a large section of population that
is considered aged i.e., 60 years of age and over, most of who are marginal in physical, social
and economic sense. This group has emerged noteworthy due to significant increase in life
expectancy and clear decline in total fertility rate in the country. According to the population
census of 2001 there are a total of 1,504,311 aged people, who constitute 6.5 percent of the
total population in Nepal. Between 1991 and 2001 this group of population has increased by
3.40 percent per annum. During the same period the total population of the country has increased
by 2.25 percent. This paper presents the geography of aged population in Nepal demonstrating
them as marginal people in the society. Data are drawn from population census 2001 plus
earlier censuses and other surveys such as labour force survey. The paper argues that aged
sections of population in Nepal are not paid proper attention. In terms of earning livelihood and
the physical capability, they are perceived as non-productive, socially dependent and physically
weak. Their proportions are higher in the physiographically marginal areas and they are further
marginalized with the deteriorating economic and security situations of the country, rural exodus
of supporting young adults, changing occupation of young generation and increasing family
nucleation in the society. While the proportion of the aged is higher in marginal zones of the
country, the aged women, i.e., further marginal group, are growing faster in the total group of
the aged. With the turn of the 21st century, the need to implement realistic programs for the
welfare of this marginal group in general and those supporting the households with older people
through state subsidies has become critical in Nepal.