Madhesh Province
मधेश प्रदेश
Nepal's most densely populated province and its grain basket.
Capital
Janakpur
Population
6,126,288
21% of Nepal (2021)
Area
9,661 km²
8 districts
Density
636/km²
People per km²
Madhesh Province lies wholly in the Terai, the flat, fertile belt along Nepal's southern frontier with India. Though the smallest province by land area, it is the most densely populated and one of the most agriculturally productive, anchoring the nation's food supply.
Its capital, Janakpur, is among Nepal's holiest cities — the Janaki Mandir marks the legendary birthplace of Sita — while Birgunj serves as the country's principal commercial gateway, handling the largest share of Nepal's overland trade.
Geography
Entirely within the Terai plains along the southern border, Madhesh is Nepal's smallest province by area but its most densely settled, with fertile alluvial farmland across all eight districts.
Economy
The agricultural heartland of Nepal — sugarcane, rice, lentils and oilseeds — together with the cross-border trade hub of Birgunj, the country's busiest customs point and gateway to the Indian port of Kolkata.
Recommended provincial languages: Maithili, Bhojpuri, Bajjika (Language Commission, 2021 — alongside Nepali)
The 8 districts of Madhesh
Madhesh Province is divided into 8 districts. The largest by population are listed first.
Madhesh Province, answered
What is the capital of Madhesh Province?+
The capital of Madhesh Province is Janakpur.
How many districts are in Madhesh Province?+
Madhesh Province has 8 districts: Bara, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Parsa, Rautahat, Saptari, Sarlahi, Siraha.
What is the population of Madhesh Province?+
Madhesh Province has a population of 6,126,288 (21% of Nepal's total), according to the National Census 2021.
What was Madhesh Province called before?+
Madhesh Province was originally Province No. 2 when the provinces were created in 2015. Named Madhesh Province in 2022 (formerly Province No. 2).
Other provinces of Nepal
Sources & data note
Population, density and share figures are the final published counts of the National Population and Housing Census 2021 (National Statistics Office). Each province's total area is summed from the official statistical areas of its districts, so it stays consistent with the district dataset on this site. Provincial capitals are the permanent headquarters fixed by each provincial assembly. The 2015 constitution created seven provinces, initially numbered; each was later given a name by its assembly (Province No. 1 → Koshi in 2023 being the last).
- Madhesh Province — overviewWikipedia ↗
- NPHC 2021 — National Report on Caste/Ethnicity, Language & ReligionNational Statistics Office, Government of Nepal ↗
- NPHC 2021 — results portalNational Statistics Office ↗
- Nepal's final census population 29,164,578OnlineKhabar (24 Mar 2023) ↗
- Provinces of Nepal — structure & namesWikipedia ↗
- Constitution of Nepal 2015 — federal structure (Schedule 4)Nepal Law Commission ↗