Bhutan

After Britain’s victory in the 1865 Duar War, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding land to British India. Ugyen WANGCHUCK — who had served as the de facto ruler of an increasingly unified Bhutan and had improved relations with the British toward the end of the 19th century — was named king in 1907. Three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs, and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. Bhutan negotiated a similar arrangement with independent India in 1949. The Indo-Bhutanese Treaty of Friendship returned to Bhutan a small piece of the territory annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India’s responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. Under a succession of modernizing monarchs beginning in the 1950s, Bhutan joined the UN in 1971 and slowly continued its engagement beyond its borders.

In 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the draft of Bhutan’s first constitution — which introduced major democratic reforms — and held a national referendum for its approval. The King abdicated the throne in 2006 in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK. In 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be “guided by” India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. In 2008, Bhutan held its first parliamentary election in accordance with the constitution. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following a parliamentary election in 2013, which resulted in the defeat of the incumbent party. In 2018, the incumbent party again lost the parliamentary election. In 2024, of the more than 100,000 ethnic Nepali — predominantly Lhotshampa — refugees who fled or were forced out of Bhutan in the 1990s, about 6,500 remain displaced in Nepal.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic coordinates

27 30 N, 90 30 E

Map references

Asia

Area

total : 38,394 sq km

land: 38,394 sq km

water: 0 sq km

comparison ranking: total 136

Area – comparative

slightly larger than Maryland; about one-half the size of Indiana

Area comparison map:

Land boundaries

total: 1,136 km

border countries (2): China 477 km; India 659 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas

Terrain

mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

Elevation

highest point: Gangkar Puensum 7,570 m

lowest point: Drangeme Chhu 97 m

mean elevation: 2,220 m

Natural resources

timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate

Land use

agricultural land: 12.8% (2022 est.)

arable land: 1.8% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0.2% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 10.8% (2022 est.)

forest: 71.6% (2022 est.)

other: 15.6% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

320 sq km (2012)

Natural hazards

violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country’s Bhutanese name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season

Geography – note

landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes

People and Society

Population

total: 884,546 (2024 est.)

male: 457,665

female: 426,881

comparison rankings: total 165; female 165; male 163

Nationality

noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Bhutanese

Ethnic groups

Ngalop (also known as Bhote) 50%, ethnic Nepali 35% (predominantly Lhotshampas), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%

Languages

Sharchopkha 28%, Dzongkha (official) 24%, Lhotshamkha 22%, other 26% (includes foreign languages) (2005 est.)

Religions

Lamaistic Buddhist 75.3%, Indian- and Nepali-influenced Hinduism 22.1%, other 2.6% (2005 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 23.1% (male 104,771/female 99,981)

15-64 years: 70.2% (male 322,497/female 298,324)

65 years and over: 6.7% (2024 est.) (male 30,397/female 28,576)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 42.5 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 33 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 9.5 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 10.5 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 30.7 years (2024 est.)

male: 31.1 years

female: 30.3 years

comparison ranking: total 134

Population growth rate

0.95% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 98

Birth rate

15.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 106

Death rate

5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 158

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 92

Urbanization

urban population: 44.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 2.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

203,000 THIMPHU (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female

total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

47 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 97

Infant mortality rate

total: 24.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 24.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 23.9 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 63

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 73.7 years (2024 est.)

male: 72.5 years

female: 75 years

comparison ranking: total population 147

Total fertility rate

1.76 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 147

Gross reproduction rate

0.86 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 99.5% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)

total: 99.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)

total: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

3.8% of GDP (2021)

6.7% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

0.55 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Hospital bed density

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 91.1% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 85.5% of population (2022 est.)

total: 87.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 8.9% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 14.5% of population (2022 est.)

total: 12.1% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

6.4% (2016)

comparison ranking: 168

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: total 179

Tobacco use

total: 18.5% (2025 est.)

male: 26.1% (2025 est.)

female: 9.8% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 80

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

62.8% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

5.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

17.2% national budget (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 34

Literacy

total population: 67% (2017 est.)

male: 75% (2017 est.)

female: 57% (2017 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years (2022 est.)

male: 12 years (2022 est.)

female: 14 years (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

soil erosion; limited access to potable water; wildlife conservation; industrial pollution; waste disposal

International environmental agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Climate

varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 44.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 2.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

733,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 241,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 492,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 178

Particulate matter emissions

26.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 111,314 tons (2007 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 957 tons (2016 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.9% (2016 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 3 million cubic meters (2019 est.)

agricultural: 320 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total renewable water resources

78 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan

conventional short form: Bhutan

local long form: Druk Gyalkhap

local short form: Druk Yul

etymology: name may derive from the Sanskrit words bhoṭa, the name for Tibet, and anta, meaning “end” — a reference to Bhutan’s location at the southernmost end of Tibet; the local Dzongkha name Druk Yul means “Land of the Dragon”

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Capital

name: Thimphu

geographic coordinates: 27 28 N, 89 38 E

time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the origins of the name are unclear; the traditional explanation, dating to the 14th century, is that thim means “dissolve” and phu means “rock,” in reference to a local deity who dissolved before a traveler’s eyes, becoming a part of the rock on which the present city stands

Administrative divisions

20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Dagana, Gasa, Haa, Lhuentse, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatshel, Punakha, Samdrup Jongkhar, Samtse, Sarpang, Thimphu, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse, Trongsa, Tsirang, Wangdue Phodrang, Zhemgang

Legal system

civil law based on Buddhist religious law

Constitution

history: previous governing documents were various royal decrees; first constitution drafted November 2001 to March 2005, ratified 18 July 2008

amendment process: proposed as a motion by simple majority vote in a joint session of Parliament; passage requires at least a three-fourths majority vote in a joint session of the next Parliament and assent by the king

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Bhutan

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006)

head of government: Prime Minister Tshering TOBGAY (since 28 January 2024)

cabinet: Council of Ministers or Lhengye Zhungtshog members nominated by the monarch in consultation with the prime minister and approved by the National Assembly; members serve 5-year terms

election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary but can be removed by a two-thirds vote of Parliament; leader of the majority party in Parliament is nominated as the prime minister, appointed by the monarch

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament (Chi Tshog)

legislative structure: bicameral

Legislative branch – lower chamber

chamber name: National Assembly (Tshogdu)

number of seats: 47 (all directly elected)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 1/9/2024

parties elected and seats per party: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) (30); Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) (17)

percentage of women in chamber: 4.3%

expected date of next election: January 2029

Legislative branch – upper chamber

chamber name: National Council (Gyelyong Tshogde)

number of seats: 25 (20 directly elected; 5 appointed)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 4/20/2023

percentage of women in chamber: 12%

expected date of next election: April 2028

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 associate justices)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch on the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier

subordinate courts: High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts

note: the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters

Political parties

Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT
Bhutan Tendrel Party or BTP
Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa or DTT
People’s Democratic Party or PDP
United Party of Bhutan (Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa) or DNT

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Phuntsho NORBU (since October 2022); note – also serving as the Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN

telephone: [1] (212) 682-2371

FAX: [1] (212) 661-0551

email address and website:
[email protected]

https://www.mfa.gov.bt/pmbny/

consulate(s) general: 343 East, 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017

note: Bhutan and the United States do not have diplomatic relations, but the two countries established consular relations on 23 July 1986; the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Bhutan was established in New York with an officer from the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the United Nations holding dual accreditation as the Consul General with consular jurisdiction in the US

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: none; frequent informal contact is maintained via the US embassy in New Delhi (India) and Bhutan’s Permanent Mission to the UN

International organization participation

ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Independence

17 December 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king); 8 August 1949 (Treaty of Friendship with India maintains Bhutanese independence)

National holiday

National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)

Flag description

divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side; the dragon, called the Druk (Thunder Dragon), is the national emblem; its white color stands for purity, and the jewels in its claws symbolize wealth; the background colors represent spiritual and secular powers in Bhutan, with the orange standing for Buddhism and the yellow for the ruling dynasty

National symbol(s)

mythical thunder dragon (druk)

National color(s)

orange, yellow

National anthem(s)

title: “Druk tsendhen” (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom)

lyrics/music: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI

history: adopted 1953

Economy

Economic overview

hydropower investments spurring economic development; Gross National Happiness economy; sharp poverty declines; low inflation; strong monetary and fiscal policies; stable currency; fairly resilient response to COVID-19; key economic and strategic relations with India; climate vulnerabilities

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$11.517 billion (2023 est.)
$10.981 billion (2022 est.)
$10.437 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 165

Real GDP growth rate

4.9% (2023 est.)
5.2% (2022 est.)
4.4% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 48

Real GDP per capita

$14,600 (2023 est.)
$14,100 (2022 est.)
$13,500 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 125

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.019 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2024 est.)
4.2% (2023 est.)
5.6% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 78

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 15% (2023 est.)

industry: 29.6% (2023 est.)

services: 52.7% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 130; industry 59; agriculture 56

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 59.4% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 20.3% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 44.5% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.7% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 28.3% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -53.2% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

rice, milk, potatoes, root vegetables, maize, oranges, areca nuts, chillies/peppers, pumpkins/squash, carrots/turnips (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism

Industrial production growth rate

0% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 137

Labor force

406,500 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 161

Unemployment rate

2.9% (2024 est.)
3.2% (2023 est.)
6% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 35

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 13.8% (2024 est.)

male: 11.2% (2024 est.)

female: 16.5% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 90

Population below poverty line

12.4% (2022 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income

28.5 (2022 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking: 138

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.6% (2022 est.)

highest 10%: 22.7% (2022 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

3.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
3.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
2.6% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues: $740.333 million (2020 est.)

expenditures: $591.697 million (2020 est.)

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

111% of GDP (2020 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 14

Taxes and other revenues

12.3% (of GDP) (2020 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 112

Current account balance

-$669.766 million (2024 est.)
-$963.122 million (2023 est.)
-$805.723 million (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 118

Exports

$944.391 million (2024 est.)
$867.871 million (2023 est.)
$791.342 million (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 184

Exports – partners

India 92%, Italy 4%, Indonesia 1%, China 1%, Singapore 0% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

iron alloys, aircraft, dolomite, semi-finished iron, cement (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$1.513 billion (2024 est.)
$1.77 billion (2023 est.)
$1.581 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 183

Imports – partners

India 82%, Singapore 8%, China 5%, Thailand 2%, Indonesia 1% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

refined petroleum, gold, plastics, broadcasting equipment, iron reductions (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$941.018 million (2024 est.)
$654.481 million (2023 est.)
$825.755 million (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 145

Debt – external

$2.827 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

comparison ranking: 87

Exchange rates

ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
83.669 (2024 est.)
82.599 (2023 est.)
78.604 (2022 est.)
73.918 (2021 est.)
74.1 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 2.344 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 11.914 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 6 billion kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 834.7 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 86.681 million kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 43; imports 82; consumption 100; installed generating capacity 116; exports 38

Electricity generation sources

hydroelectricity: 100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

production: 4,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

consumption: 105,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

exports: 54 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 122,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

64.082 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 79

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 18,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 174

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 752,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 95 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 169

Broadcast media

state-owned TV station established in 1999; cable TV service offers dozens of Indian and other international channels; first radio station, privately launched in 1973, is now state-owned; 5 private radio stations are currently broadcasting (2012)

Internet country code

.bt

Internet users

percent of population: 88% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 10,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total 183

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

4 (2025)

comparison ranking: 180

Heliports

8 (2025)

comparison ranking: 84

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Royal Bhutan Army (RBA; includes Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan, or RBG, and an air wing); National Militia

Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs: Royal Bhutan Police (2025)

Military and security service personnel strengths

estimated 7-8,000 active Royal Bhutan Army (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Royal Bhutan Army is lightly armed; it has a small amount of heavy equipment, such as armored cars and helicopters, originating from India and Thailand (2024)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription; militia training is compulsory for males aged 20-25, over a 3-year period (2023)

note: in 2021, the Royal Bhutan Army graduated from a year-long training course the first batch of 150 women to be allowed to serve in combat roles; previously, women were allowed to serve in medical and other non-combat roles

Military deployments

190 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2024)

Military – note

the Army is responsible for external threats but also has some internal security functions such as conducting counterinsurgency operations, guarding forests, and providing security for prominent persons; Bhutan’s closest security partner is India; under the 2007 India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty, both countries agreed to cooperate closely on issues relating to their national interests (2025)