Map of Bhutan | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year: Guide1989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025 | More stats

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Background: 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.


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Location: Southern Asia between China and India

Geographic coordinates: 27 30 N 90 30 E

Map reference: Asia

Area
Total: 38,394 km²
Rank: 137
Land: 38,394 km²
Water: 0 km²
Comparative: about one-half the size of Indiana

Land boundaries
Total: 1075 km
Border countries: (2) 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

Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Drangeme Chhu 97 m
Extremes highest point: Gangkar Puensum 7,570 m

Natural resources: timber hydropower gypsum calcium carbonate

Land use
Arable land: 2.3%
Permanent crops: 0.43%
Other: 97.27% (2005)

Irrigated land: 400 km² (2008)

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources: 95 km³ (1987)

Natural hazards: 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

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


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Population: 708,427 (July 2011 est.)
Rank: 165
Note: the Gheos worldguide population estimate is consistent with the first modern census of Bhutan conducted in 2005; previous worldguide 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
Growth rate: 1.201% (2011 est.)
Growth rate rank: 98
Below poverty line: 23.2% (2008)

Nationality
Noun: Bhutanese
Adjective: Bhutanese

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

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

Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75% Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%

Demographic profile

Age structure
0-14 years: 28.9%
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.)

Dependency ratios

Median age
Total: 24.8 years
Male: 25.4 years
Female: 24.2 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.201% (2011 est.)
Rank: 98

Birth rate: 19.13 births/1000 population (2011 est.)
Rank: 101

Death rate: 7.12 deaths/1000 population (July 2011 est.)
Rank: 128

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1000 population (2011 est.)
Rank: 77

Population distribution

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

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable water
International agreements party to: Biodiversity Climate Change Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Desertification Endangered Species Hazardous Wastes Ozone Layer Protection
International agreements signed but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Air pollutants

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.05 male/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.)

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate
Total: 44.48 deaths/1000 live births
Rank: 56
Male: 45.24 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 43.69 deaths/1000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 67.3 years
Rank: 158
Male: 66.46 years
Female: 68.19 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (2011 est.)
Rank: 106

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source:

Current health expenditure

Physicians density: 0.023 physicians/1000 population (2007)
Rank: 186

Hospital bed density: 1.7 beds/1000 population (2006)
Rank: 112

Sanitation facility access:

Hiv/Aids
Adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2009 est.)
Adult prevalence rate rank: 101
People living with hivaids: fewer than 1000 (2009 est.)
People living with hivaids rank: 139
Deaths: fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
Deaths rank: 146

Major infectious diseases
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)

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 12% (2008)
Rank: 60

Education expenditures: 4.8% of GDP (2008)
Rank: 67

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 47%
Male: 60%
Female: 34% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Total: 11 years
Male: 11 years
Female: 11 years (2008)

Youth unemployment


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Country name
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
Conventional short form: Bhutan
Local long form: Druk Gyalkhap
Local short form: Druk Yul

Government type: constitutional monarchy

Capital
Name: Thimphu
Geographic coordinates: 27 29 N 89 36 E
Time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions: 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

Dependent areas

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

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

Constitution: ratified 18 July 2008

Legal system: civil law based on Buddhist religious law

International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK ; 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
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

Legislative branch: 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

Judicial branch: 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

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

International organization participation: 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)

Diplomatic representation
In the us: 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 10,017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2,268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551
In the us consulate general: New York
From the us: the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India)

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 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

National symbols: thunder dragon known as Druk

National anthem
Name: 'Druk tsendhen'
Lyricsmusic: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI
Note: adopted 1953

National heritage


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Economy overview: 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.

Real gdp purchasing power parity:
Rank: 167
Note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real gdp growth rate:
Rank: 41

Real gdp per capita:
Rank: 141
Note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 17.4%
Industry: 45%
Services: 37.6% (2010 est.)

Agriculture products: rice corn root crops citrus foodgrains; dairy products eggs

Industries: cement wood products processed fruits alcoholic beverages calcium carbide tourism

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: 299,900
Rank: 164
Note: major shortage of skilled labor (2008)
By occupation agriculture: 43.7%
By occupation industry: 39.1%
By occupation services: 17.2% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate: 2.5% (2004)
Rank: 36

Youth unemployment

Population below poverty line: 23.2% (2008)

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share
Lowest 10: 2.3%
Highest 10: 37.6% (2003)

Distribution of family income gini index

Budget
Revenues: $576.5 million
Expenditures: $666 million
Note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2010 est.)
Surplus or deficit: -6.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 168

Taxes and other revenues: 40.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
Rank: 40

Public debt: 81.4% of GDP (2004)
Rank: 37

Revenue

Fiscal year

Inflation rate consumer prices: 4.3% (2009 est.)
Rank: 180

Central bank discount rate: NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate: 14.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 63

Stock of narrow money: $383 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 162

Stock of broad money: $637.1 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit: $186.4 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 178

Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA

Current account balance: -$112.9 million (2008 est.)
Rank: 77

Exports: $513 million (2008)
Rank: 168
Commodities: electricity (to India) ferrosilicon cement calcium carbide copper wire manganese vegetable oil

Imports: $533 million (2008)
Rank: 185
Commodities: fuel and lubricants passenger cars machinery and parts fabrics rice

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $890.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Rank: 135

Debt external: $713.3 million (2006)
Rank: 155

Stock of direct foreign investment at home

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad

Exchange rates:


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Electricity
Production: 1.48 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Production rank: 141
Consumption: 184 million kWh (2009 est.)
Consumption rank: 183
Exports: 1.296 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Imports: 5.693 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Coal

Petroleum

Crude oil

Refined petroleum

Natural gas
Production: 0 m³ (2009 est.)
Production rank: 160
Consumption: 0 m³ (2009 est.)
Consumption rank: 154
Exports: 0 m³ (2009 est.)
Exports rank: 67
Imports: 0 m³ (2009 est.)
Imports rank: 93
Proven reserves: 0 m³ (1 January 2011 est.)
Proven reserves rank: 116

Carbon dioxide emissions

Energy consumption per capita


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Telephones
Main lines in use: 26,300 (2010)
Main lines in use rank: 183
Mobile cellular: 394,300 (2010)
Mobile cellular rank: 170

Telephone system
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)

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

Internet
Country code: .bt
Hosts: 9,147 (2010)
Hosts rank: 125
Users: 50,000 (2009)
Users rank: 173

Broadband fixed subscriptions


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Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2005 est.)
Rank: 130

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

Space program

Terrorist groups


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National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 2 (2010)
Rank: 197
With paved runways total: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1 (2010)
With unpaved runways total: 1
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1 (2010)

Heliports

Pipelines

Railways

Roadways
Total: 8,050 km
Rank: 141
Paved: 4,991 km
Unpaved: 3,059 km (2003)

Waterways

Merchant marine

Ports and terminals


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Disputes international: 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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs