Bhutan

total: 10,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.)

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)

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percent of population: 88% (2023 est.)

total subscriptions: 0 (2024 est.) no service subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2024 est.) no service

total subscriptions: 790,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 100 (2024 est.)

rice, milk, potatoes, root vegetables, maize, oranges, areca nuts, chillies/peppers, pumpkins/squash, carrots/turnips (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

revenues: $740.328 million (2020 est.) expenditures: $802.177 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

-$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

$2.827 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

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

ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 83.669 (2024 est.) 82.599 (2023 est.) 78.604 (2022 est.) 73.918 (2021 est.) 74.1 (2020 est.)

$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

iron alloys, aircraft, dolomite, semi-finished iron, cement (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

India 92%, Italy 4%, Indonesia 1%, China 1%, Singapore 0% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

$3.019 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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

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

28.5 (2022 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

lowest 10%: 3.6% (2022 est.) highest 10%: 22.7% (2022 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

$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

refined petroleum, gold, plastics, broadcasting equipment, iron reductions (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

India 82%, Singapore 8%, China 5%, Thailand 2%, Indonesia 1% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

0% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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

2.8% (2024 est.) 4.2% (2023 est.) 5.6% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

406,500 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

12.4% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line

111% of GDP (2020 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP

$11.517 billion (2023 est.) $10.981 billion (2022 est.) $10.437 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

4.9% (2023 est.) 5.2% (2022 est.) 4.4% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

$14,600 (2023 est.) $14,100 (2022 est.) $13,500 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

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

$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

12.3% (of GDP) (2020 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

2.9% (2024 est.) 3.2% (2023 est.) 6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

total: 13.8% (2024 est.) male: 11.2% (2024 est.) female: 16.5% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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.)

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.)

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

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

64.082 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

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

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.)

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

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

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

agricultural land: 13.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 10.8% (2023 est.) forest: 70.6% (2023 est.) other: 15.6% (2023 est.)

26.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

78 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

municipal: 17 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 3 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 318 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

urban population: 44.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

municipal solid waste generated annually: 111,300 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 1.7% (2022 est.)

total : 38,394 sq km land: 38,394 sq km water: 0 sq km

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

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

0 km (landlocked)

highest point: Gangkar Puensum 7,570 m lowest point: Drangeme Chhu 97 m mean elevation: 2,220 m

27 30 N, 90 30 E

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

320 sq km (2012)

total: 1,136 km border countries (2): China 477 km; India 659 km

agricultural land: 13.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 10.8% (2023 est.) forest: 70.6% (2023 est.) other: 15.6% (2023 est.)

Southern Asia, between China and India

Asia

none (landlocked)

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

timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate

mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

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

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

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

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

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"

note: Although Bhutan and the United States have never established formal diplomatic relations, the two countries maintain informal relations via the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, and Bhutan s Mission to the United Nations in New York

consulate(s) general: 343 East, 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 682-2371 FAX: [1] (212) 661-0551 email address and website: consulate.pmbny@mfa.gov.bt https://www.mfa.gov.bt/pmbny/ 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; Phuntsho NORBU has served as the Consul General since October 2022 and is the Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN

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

description: divided diagonally from the lower-left corner to the upper-right corner; the upper triangle is yellow, and the lower triangle is dark orange; centered along the dividing line is a large, stylized black-and-white dragon facing to the right; the dragon is called the Druk (Thunder Dragon) and is the national emblem meaning: white stands for purity, and the jewels in the dragon's claws symbolize wealth; the background colors represent the spiritual and secular powers in Bhutan, with orange standing for Buddhism and yellow for the ruling dynasty

constitutional monarchy

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

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

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)

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

civil law based on Buddhist religious law

legislature name: Parliament (Chi Tshog) legislative structure: bicameral

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

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: 0 years most recent election date: 4/20/2023 parties elected and seats per party: N/A; note - the National Council is not party-based percentage of women in chamber: 12% expected date of next election: April 2028

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

orange, yellow

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

mythical thunder dragon ( druk )

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

18 years of age; universal

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.

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)

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)

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

180 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)

the Royal Bhutan Army is lightly armed; it has a small amount of heavy equipment, such as armored cars and helicopters, originating from the former Soviet Union, India, and Thailand (2025)

18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; militia training is compulsory for men aged 20-25 over a 3-year period (2025)

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)

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.)

15.05 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

8.7% (2023 est.)

62% (2022 est.)

5.75 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

total dependency ratio: 42.1 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 32.4 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 9.7 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 10.3 (2025 est.)

urban: 99.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 1.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)

5.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 22.2% national budget (2025 est.)

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

0.85 (2025 est.)

3.8% of GDP (2021) 6.7% of national budget (2022 est.)

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

total: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 24.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.9 deaths/1,000 live births

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

total population: 73.7 years (2024 est.) male: 72.5 years female: 75 years

total population: 64.9% (2022 est.) male: 73.4% (2022 est.) female: 57% (2022 est.)

203,000 THIMPHU (capital) (2018)

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

total: 31.2 years (2025 est.) male: 31.1 years female: 30.3 years

noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

6.4% (2016)

0.55 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

total: 892,877 (2025 est.) male: 461,679 female: 431,198

0.93% (2025 est.)

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

urban: 91.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 85.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 87.9% of population (2022 est.) urban: 8.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 14.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 12.1% of population (2022 est.)

total: 13 years (2022 est.) male: 12 years (2022 est.) female: 14 years (2022 est.)

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.)

total: 18.5% (2025 est.) male: 26.1% (2025 est.) female: 9.8% (2025 est.)

1.75 children born/woman (2025 est.)

urban population: 44.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

IDPs: 138 (2024 est.)

4 (2025)

A5

8 (2025)