Nepal has ranked 25th out of 27 countries in the Asia Power Index 2024, with an overall score of 4.8 out of 100.

According to the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank, the country saw a 0.6-point increase in its power score, marking a 15 percent rise from the previous year.

In 2024, Nepal had the greatest gains in defence networks (+2.7). It lost the most points in diplomatic influence (−0.7). Elsewhere, it improved in military capability (+1.1), cultural influence (+0.9) and future resources (+0.5). The scores for resilience, economic capability and economic relationships were unchanged.

Nepal’s weakest measure is resilience, ranked second-last, above only Myanmar. Its most substantial measure is defence networks, which rose by two rankings to 21st in 2024.

Given its available resources, Nepal exerts less influence in the region than expected, as indicated by the country’s negative power gap score, which deteriorated in 2024.

The report says it has a good defence network. At the same time, weakness is in resilience because of high vulnerability to natural calamities. The report stressed that Nepal has an abundance of resources, but utilisation of such resources is limited.

The United States remains the dominant superpower, with a score of 81.7, followed by China at 72.7. Among middle powers, India leads with 39.1, while Japan (38.9), Australia (31.9), and Russia (31.1) follow closely. South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia also rank among the top middle powers.

Nepal, classified as a minor power, is ahead of Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea. Cambodia (9.5) leads the minor powers, followed by Bangladesh (9.4) and Sri Lanka (7.7). Laos, Myanmar, and Mongolia also rank among the lower-tier nations in the region.

Bhutan, the Maldives and Afghanistan are not included in the study.