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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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; 1 private radio station began operations in 2006 (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.bt

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

9,147 (2010) country comparison to the world: 125

Internet users [time series]

50,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 173

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services domestic: low teledensity; domestic service is poor especially in rural areas; mobile-cellular service available since 2003 international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2009)

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

26,300 (2010) country comparison to the world: 183

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

394,300 (2010) country comparison to the world: 170

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $576.5 million expenditures: $666 million note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-6.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Central bank discount rate [time series]

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

14.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 14.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$112.9 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 -$112.9 million (2008 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$836 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 155 $713.3 million (2006)

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 more than 60% of the population. 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 and dependence on India's financial assistance. 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. Model education, social, and environment programs 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. For example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Complicated controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India have boosted Bhutan's overall growth. New hydropower projects will be the driving force behind Bhutan's ability to create employment and sustain growth in the coming years.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

184 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Electricity - exports [time series]

1.296 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

5.693 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.48 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Exchange rates [time series]

ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 46.6 (2009) 41.487 (2007) 45.279 (2006) 44.101 (2005) 45.317 (2004)

Exports [time series]

$509.4 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $513 million (2008)

Exports - commodities [time series]

electricity (to India), ferrosilicon, cement, calcium carbide, copper wire, manganese, vegetable oil

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.412 billion (2010 est.)

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

$3.875 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 $3.63 billion (2009 est.) $3.34 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

agriculture: 17.4% industry: 45% services: 37.6% (2010 est.)

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

$5,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 $5,300 (2009 est.) $4,900 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

6.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 8.7% (2009 est.) 3% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 37.6% (2003)

Imports [time series]

$620.8 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $533 million (2008)

Imports - commodities [time series]

fuel and lubricants, passenger cars, machinery and parts, fabrics, rice

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

7.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 4.3% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

46% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2

Labor force [time series]

299,900 country comparison to the world: 164 note: major shortage of skilled labor (2008)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 43.7% industry: 39.1% services: 17.2% (2004 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Oil - consumption [time series]

1,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Oil - imports [time series]

1,549 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Population below poverty line [time series]

23.2% (2008)

Public debt [time series]

57.8% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 37 81.4% of GDP (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.002 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $890.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$637.1 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$218.7 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 $186.4 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$418.9 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $383 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

40.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Unemployment rate [time series]

4% (2009) country comparison to the world: 36 2.5% (2004)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 38,394 sq km country comparison to the world: 137 land: 38,394 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

about one-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: Drangeme Chhu 97 m highest point: Gangkar Puensum 7,570 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.43 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%) per capita: 199 cu m/yr (2000)

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]

400 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2.3% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 97.27% (2005)

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 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 carbonate

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

Total renewable water resources [time series]

95 cu km (1987)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

name: Thimphu geographic coordinates: 27 29 N, 89 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

ratified 18 July 2008

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan local long form: Druk Gyalkhap local short form: Druk Yul

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 - the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular jurisdiction in the US; the permanent representative to the UN is Lhatu WANGCHUK; address: 343 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551 consulate(s) general: New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him;the nearly two-year delay between the former King's abdication and his son's coronation on 6 November 2008 was to ensure an astrologically auspicious coronation date and to give the new king, who had limited experience, deeper administrative expertise under the guidance of his father head of government: Prime Minister Jigme THINLEY (since 9 April 2008) 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 are nominated by the monarch (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote; election of a new National Assembly occurred in March 2008; the leader of the majority party nominated as the prime minister

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; the dragon, called the Druk (Thunder Dragon), is the emblem of the nation; its white color stands for purity and the jewels in its claws symbolize wealth; the background colors represent spiritual and secular powers within Bhutan: the orange is associated with Bhuddhism, while the yellow denotes the ruling dynasty

Government type [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king)

International law organization participation [time series]

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

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court that will serve as chief court of appeal

Legal system [time series]

civil law based on Buddhist religious law

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament consists of the non-partisan National Council (25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 electoral districts (dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members nominated by the King); and the National Assembly (47 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms) elections: National Council elections last held on 31 December 2007 and 29 January 2008 (next to be held by December 2012); National Assembly elections last held on 24 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: National Council - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - DPT 67%, PDP 33%; seats by party - DPT 45, PDP 2

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom) lyrics/music: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI note: adopted 1953

National holiday [time series]

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

National symbol(s) [time series]

thunder dragon known as Druk

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

Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT [Jigme THINLEY]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tshering TOBGAY]

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

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up 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. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of over 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New Delhi. In July 2007, seven ministers of Bhutan's 10-member cabinet resigned to join the political process, and the cabinet acted as a caretaker regime until democratic elections for seats to the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008. The king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 202,407 females age 16-49: 180,349 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 157,664 females age 16-49: 144,861 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 7,363 female: 7,095 (2010 est.)

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

Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 28.9% (male 104,622/female 100,383) 15-64 years: 65.3% (male 245,054/female 217,864) 65 years and over: 5.7% (male 21,347/female 19,157) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

19.13 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

12% (2008) country comparison to the world: 60

Death rate [time series]

7.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 88% of population total: 92% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 12% of population total: 8% of population (2008)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.8% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 67

Ethnic groups [time series]

Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

5.5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 129

Hospital bed density [time series]

1.7 beds/1,000 population (2006) country comparison to the world: 112

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 44.48 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 56 male: 45.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

Sharchhopka 28%, Dzongkha (official) 24%, Lhotshamkha 22%, other 26% (2005 Census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 67.3 years country comparison to the world: 158 male: 66.46 years female: 68.19 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47% male: 60% female: 34% (2003 est.)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

THIMPHU (capital) 89,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

200 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 58

Median age [time series]

total: 24.8 years male: 25.4 years female: 24.2 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.023 physicians/1,000 population (2007) country comparison to the world: 186

Population [time series]

708,427 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 note: the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook population estimates for this country, which were on the order of three times the total population reported here, were based on Bhutanese government publications that did not include the census

Population growth rate [time series]

1.201% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Religions [time series]

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

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 87% of population rural: 54% of population total: 65% of population unimproved: urban: 13% of population rural: 46% of population total: 35% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.2 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 6.3% country comparison to the world: 120 male: 5.5% female: 7.2% (2005)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 35% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 3.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes arising from substantial cartographic discrepancies, the largest of which lie in Bhutan's northwest and along the Chumbi salient

Transportation

Airports [time series]

2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 197

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Roadways [time series]

total: 8,050 km country comparison to the world: 141 paved: 4,991 km unpaved: 3,059 km (2003)