Statistical information Bhutan 1994
Bhutan in the World
top of pageBackground: 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.
top of pageLocation: Southern Asia, in the Himalayas, between China and India
Geographic coordinatesMap reference:
Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldAreaTotal area total: 47,000 km²
Land: 47,000 km²
Land boundaries: total 1,075 km, China 470 km, India 605 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
ElevationNatural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Land useArable land: 2%
Permanent crops: 0%
Meadows and pastures: 5%
Forest and woodland: 70%
Other: 23%
Irrigated land: 340 km² (1989 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon
GeographyNote: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
top of pagePopulation: 716,380 (July 1994 est.)
Note: other estimates range as high as 1.7 million (July 1994 est.)
Growth rate: 2.34% (1994 est.)
Nationality: noun:Bhutanese (singular and plural)
Ethnic groups: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects; Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Demographic profileAge structureDependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 2.34% (1994 est.)
Birth rate: 39.31 births/1000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate: 15.93 deaths/1000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1000 population (1994 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: soil erosion; limited access to safe drinking water
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 121 deaths/1000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 50.6 years
Male: 51.15 years
Female: 50.03 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.42 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyTotal population: NA%
Male: NA%
Female: NA%
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form:Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form
Government type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India
Capital: Thimphu
Administrative divisions: 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
Dependent areasIndependence: 8 August 1949 (from India)
National holiday: National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen Wangchuck became first hereditary king)
Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights
Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections
Executive branchChief of State and Head of Government: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)
Royal Advisory Council Lodoi Tsokde: nominated by the king
Legislative branch: Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, INTELSAT, IOC, ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representationFrom the us: no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassies in New Delhi (India)
From the us consulates general: New York
Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is orange and the lower triangle is red; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: The economy, one of the world's least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90% of the population and account for about 50% of GDP. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with that of India through strong trade and monetary links. The industrial sector is small and 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 its most important natural resources; however, the government limits the number of tourists to 4,000 per year to minimize foreign influence. Much of the impetus for growth has come from large public-sector companies. Nevertheless, in recent years, Bhutan has shifted toward decentralized development planning and greater private initiative. The government privatized several large public-sector firms, is revamping its trade regime and liberalizing administerial procedures over industrial licensing. The government's industrial contribution to GDP decreased from 13% in 1988 to about 10% in 1992.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 5% (FY93 est.)
Real gdp per capita pppGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture products: accounts for 45% of GDP; based on subsistence farming and animal husbandry; self-sufficient in food except for foodgrains; other production - rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, dairy products, eggs
Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Industrial production growth rate: NA%; accounts for 8% of GDP; primarily cottage industry and home based handicrafts
Labor force: NA
By occupation agriculture: 93%
By occupation services: 5%
By occupation industry and commerce: 2%
By occupation note: massive lack of skilled labor
Unemployment rate: NA%
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudget: revenues:$100 million
Public debtTaxes and other revenuesRevenueFiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Current account balanceInflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $66 million (f.o.b., FY93 est.)
Commodities: cardamon, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spices
Partners: India 82%, Bangladesh, Singapore
Imports: $125 million (c.i.f., FY93 est.)
Commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics
Partners: India 60%, Japan, Germany, US, UK
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $141 million (June 1993)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 31.370 (January 1994), 30.493 (1993), 25.918 (1992), 22.742 (1991), 17.504 (1990), 16.226 (1989; note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee
top of pageElectricity accessElectricity production: 1.5422 billion kWh
Electricity consumptionPer capita: 2,203 kWh (25.8% is exported to India leaving 1,633 kWh per capita; 1990-91)
Electricity exportsElectricity importsElectricity installed generating capacityElectricity transmission distribution lossesElectricity generation sourcesPetroleumRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones fixed linesTelephones mobile cellularTelephone systemBroadcast mediaInternet country codeInternet usersBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $NA, NA% of GDP
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 2
Usable: 2
With permanentsurface runways: 1
With runways over 3659 m: 0
With runways 2440-3659 m: 0
With runways 1220-2439 m: 2
Airports with paved runwaysAirports with unpaved runwaysHeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marinePorts and terminalsBhutan - Transnational issues 1994
top of pageDisputes international: none
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs