Nepal Ranks Among Top Five Countries In Global Narcissism Study: What The Research Really Says
A global study by Michigan State University ranked Nepal fourth among countries with the highest average narcissism scores. But researchers clarify that the findings reflect population-level personality traits, not individual diagnoses. Here is what the study reveals and how narcissism differs from Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
· 6 min read
KATHMANDU, August 12, 2026
A global study by researchers from Michigan State University published on December 4, 2025, has placed Nepal among the countries with the highest average narcissism scores, ranking the country fourth worldwide in overall narcissism levels.
The research, published in the journal Self and Identity, analyzed responses from more than 45,000 people across 53 countries to examine how narcissistic traits vary between populations. The study ranked countries based on average narcissism scores, but researchers emphasized that the findings reflect population-level patterns and not the personality of every individual within a country.
According to the study, the countries with the highest overall narcissism scores were:
Germany
Iraq
China
Nepal
South Korea
The countries with the lowest overall narcissism scores were:
Serbia
Ireland
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Denmark
What Is Narcissism?
Narcissism is a personality trait associated with an exaggerated focus on oneself, a desire for recognition, and a need to maintain a positive self-image.
Psychologists consider narcissism to exist on a spectrum. Some narcissistic traits, such as confidence, ambition, self-promotion, or wanting appreciation, can appear in many people and do not automatically indicate a mental health disorder.
The Michigan State University study measured narcissistic traits, not clinical disorders.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): A Clinical Condition Explained
While narcissistic traits can exist in the general population, Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a diagnosed mental health condition.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), NPD is defined as a persistent pattern of:
Grandiosity or exaggerated self-importance
A strong need for admiration
Lack of empathy toward others
The pattern usually begins by early adulthood and appears across different areas of life, including relationships, work, and social interactions.
A person is diagnosed with NPD when they display five or more of the following characteristics:
1. Grandiose Sense Of Self-Importance
A person may exaggerate achievements, talents or abilities and expect recognition as superior even without equivalent accomplishments.
2. Fantasies Of Unlimited Success Or Power
They may frequently focus on ideas of unlimited success, influence, intelligence, beauty or an ideal relationship.
3. Belief Of Being Special Or Unique
They may believe they are different from others and can only be understood by, or should associate with, high-status individuals or institutions.
4. Excessive Need For Admiration
A constant desire for praise, attention, and validation can become a major feature of their interactions.
5. Sense Of Entitlement
They may expect special treatment or believe others should automatically fulfill their expectations.
6. Exploitative Relationships
They may use or take advantage of others to achieve personal goals.
7. Lack Of Empathy
A key characteristic is difficulty recognizing or understanding the feelings and needs of others.
8. Envy Or Belief Others Are Envious
They may frequently feel jealous of others or believe others are jealous of them.
9. Arrogant Behaviour Or Attitudes
This may appear through superiority, arrogance or looking down on others.
Narcissism Does Not Equal Narcissistic Personality Disorder
A major difference exists between having narcissistic traits and having NPD.
A confident person may enjoy success, seek recognition or have strong ambitions. These behaviours alone do not mean someone has a personality disorder.
NPD involves a long-term pattern that affects relationships, emotional functioning and interactions with others.
Psychologists also note that narcissistic traits can be relatively common among adolescents and do not necessarily mean a person will develop NPD later in life.
What Did The Michigan State University Study Measure?
The researchers were not diagnosing participants with NPD.
Instead, they examined narcissism as a personality characteristic through survey responses.
The study looked at two major dimensions:
Narcissistic Admiration
This includes:
Wanting to appear impressive
Seeking recognition
Promoting oneself positively
Desire for status
Narcissistic Rivalry
This includes:
Protecting one’s self-image
Competing with others
Negative feelings toward rivals
The researchers examined how these traits differed across countries and demographic groups.
For rivalry, the five countries with the highest scores were Germany, South Korea, Nepal, Iraq, and Romania, and the five countries with the lowest rivalry scores were Serbia, Mexico, Colombia, Austria, and South Africa.
For admiration, the five countries with the highest admiration scores were Nigeria, Iraq, China, Nepal, and Türkiye; and the five countries with the lowest admiration were Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
Why Did Nepal Rank Fourth?
The study found Nepal had one of the highest average narcissism scores among the countries studied.
However, researchers did not conclude that Nepalese people are individually more narcissistic than people elsewhere.
Country rankings in personality research can be influenced by many factors, including:
Cultural values
Social expectations
Economic conditions
Age distribution
How people interpret survey questions
A national average does not describe every person living in that country.
Who Reported Higher Narcissistic Traits?
The study also examined differences between groups.
Researchers found:
Younger Adults Reported Higher Narcissism Levels
Younger people generally showed higher narcissistic traits compared with older adults. Researchers suggested this may be connected to identity development and establishing personal status.
Men Reported Higher Narcissistic Traits Than Women
Across countries, men generally showed higher narcissism scores compared with women.
However, researchers noted that differences existed within every population, meaning no country or group consisted entirely of narcissistic individuals.
Does Nepal’s Ranking Mean Nepalis Are Narcissistic?
No.
The study does not mean every Nepali person is narcissistic or has Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Researchers found a wide range of personalities within every country, from people with stronger self-focused traits to people with more modest and self-effacing characteristics.
Personality is shaped by many factors, including:
Family background
Education
Personal experiences
Social environment
Individual choices
A country-level ranking should be understood as a scientific observation of average trends, not a judgment of an entire population.
Why This Study Matters
Research on narcissism helps psychologists understand how personality traits develop across different societies.
The Michigan State University study challenges the assumption that narcissism belongs to one particular culture or country. Instead, it shows that narcissistic traits exist worldwide, but their average expression can differ between populations.
The findings provide insight into human behaviour while also highlighting the importance of avoiding stereotypes when interpreting psychological research.
Key Takeaways
Michigan State University studied narcissism among more than 45,000 participants from 53 countries.
Nepal ranked fourth in overall narcissism scores in the study.
The research measured personality traits, not Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
NPD is a clinical condition involving grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.
A country’s ranking does not define the personality of every citizen.
Citation:
American Psychiatric Association (2013) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. 5th edn. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Miscikowski, M.M., Weidmann, R., Konrath, S.H. and Chopik, W.J. (2026) 'Cultural moderation of demographic differences in narcissism', Self and Identity, 25(1), pp. 111-141. doi: 10.1080/15298868.2025.2593298.
Published Aug 12 in Health