Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

NA

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios [time series]

37,000 (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use international: international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

5,000 (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

NA

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

0 (1997)

Televisions [time series]

11,000 (1997)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs

Budget [time series]

revenues: $146 million expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 est.) note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency is also legal tender

Debt - external [time series]

$120 million (1998)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$73.8 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90% of the population and account for about 40% of GDP. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. The Bhutanese Government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs in Bhutan are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

345 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

1.339 billion kWh note: exports electricity to India (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

21 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.788 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 0.39% hydro: 99.61% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 43.552 (January 2000), 43.055 (1999), 41.259 (1998), 36.313 (1997), 35.433 (1996), 32.427 (1995); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee

Exports [time series]

$111 million (f.o.b., 1998)

Exports - commodities [time series]

cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spices

Exports - partners [time series]

India 94%, Bangladesh

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $2.1 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 38% industry: 37% services: 25% (1998)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $1,060 (1999 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

7% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$136 million (c.i.f., 1998)

Imports - commodities [time series]

fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice

Imports - partners [time series]

India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

9.3% (1996 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

9% (1998)

Labor force [time series]

NA note: massive lack of skilled labor

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Area [time series]

total: 47,000 sq km land: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

about half the size of Indiana

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

soil erosion; limited access to potable water

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

27 30 N, 90 30 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

340 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 66% other: 26% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Southern Asia, between China and India

Map references [time series]

Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season

Natural resources [time series]

timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

Administrative divisions [time series]

18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang

Capital [time series]

Thimphu

Constitution [time series]

no written constitution or bill of rights note: Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the National Assembly; on 7 July 1998, a Royal edict was ratified giving the National Assembly additional powers

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan

Data code [time series]

BT

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) head of government: Foreign Minister Jigme Yoeser THINLEY (since NA June 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms note: there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 give the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

monarchy; special treaty relationship with India

Independence [time series]

8 August 1949 (from India)

International organization participation [time series]

AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO

Judicial branch [time series]

the Supreme Court of Appeal is the monarch; High Court, judges appointed by the monarch

Legal system [time series]

based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: NA

National holiday [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

no legal parties

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled)

Suffrage [time series]

each family has one vote in village-level elections

Background [time series]

Under British influence a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later a treaty was signed whereby the country became a British protectorate. Independence was attained in 1949, with India subsequently guiding foreign relations and supplying aid.

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia, Royal Police Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$NA

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

NA%

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 491,427 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 262,316 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 20,374 (2000 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 40% (male 417,627; female 387,927) 15-64 years: 56% (male 576,533; female 544,076) 65 years and over: 4% (male 40,081; female 38,978) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

36.22 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

14.32 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

110.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages [time series]

Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 52.4 years male: 52.79 years female: 51.99 years (2000 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.2% male: 56.2% female: 28.1% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

People - note [time series]

refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 96,500 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps

Population [time series]

2,005,222 note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.19% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.13 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

over approximately 96,500 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Airports [time series]

2 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1999 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 3,285 km paved: 1,994 km unpaved: 1,291 km (1996 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

none

Railways [time series]

0 km