Dharamshala, Nov. 3 -- Tibetan monasteries and nunneries in exile are witnessing a significant demographic shift, with Tibetans now accounting for only 28 per cent of the monastic population, amid declining arrivals from Tibet, falling birth rates and migration of younger Tibetans to Western countries.

According to the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), 295 monasteries and nunneries across India, Nepal and Bhutan house more than 38,000 monks and nuns.

Tsegyal Chukya Dranyi, Kalon (Minister) of Religion and Culture of the CTA, said the number of Tibetans arriving in India has dropped drastically over the years, affecting admissions in monasteries and nunneries.

"There was a time when the numb...