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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 some 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 ten-member cabinet resigned to join the political process, leaving the remaining cabinet to act as a caretaker regime until a new government assumes power following parliamentary elections. Bhutan will complete its transition to full democracy in 2008, when its first fully democratic elections to a new parliament – expected to be completed by March 2008 – and a concomitant referendum on the draft constitution will take place. |
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| Geography |
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| Location: | Southern Asia, between China and India |
| Geographic coordinates: | 27 30 N, 90 30 E |
| Map references: | Asia |
| Area: | total: 47,000 sq km
land: 47,000 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
| Area—comparative: | about half the size of Indiana |
| Land boundaries: | total: 1,075 km
border countries: 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: Drangme Chhu 97 m
highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 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 sq km (2003) |
| Total renewable water resources: | 95 cu km (1987) |
| Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): | total: 0.43 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%)
per capita: 199 cu m/yr (2000) |
| 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 |
| Environment—current issues: | soil erosion; limited access to potable water |
| Environment—international agreements: | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea |
| Geography—note: | landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes |
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| People |
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| Population: | 2,327,849
note: the Factbook population estimate is inconsistent with the 2005 Bhutan census results; both data are being reviewed and when completed, the results will be posted on The World Factbook Web site (https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook) later this year (July 2007 est.) |
| Age structure: | 0-14 years: 38.6% (male 465,340/female 433,184)
15-64 years: 57.4% (male 688,428/female 647,134)
65 years and over: 4% (male 47,123/female 46,640) (2007 est.) |
| Median age: | total: 20.5 years
male: 20.4 years
female: 20.7 years (2007 est.) |
| Population growth rate: | 2.082% (2007 est.) |
| Birth rate: | 33.28 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) |
| Death rate: | 12.46 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) |
| Net migration rate: | 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) |
| Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.074 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.064 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female
total population: 1.066 male(s)/female (2007 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: | total: 96.37 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 94.09 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 98.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 55.17 years
male: 55.38 years
female: 54.96 years (2007 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: | 4.67 children born/woman (2007 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS—adult prevalence rate: | less than 0.1% (2001 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS—people living with HIV/AIDS: | less than 100 (1999 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS—deaths: | NA |
| Major infectious diseases: | degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2008) |
| Nationality: | noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Bhutanese |
| Ethnic groups: | Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas – one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% |
| Religions: | Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% |
| Languages: | Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects |
| Literacy: | definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 47%
male: 60%
female: 34% (2003 est.) |
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| Government |
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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: | absolute monarchy; special treaty relationship with India; note – transition to a constitutional monarchy is expected in 2008 |
| 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 |
| 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: | none; note – a draft constitution was unveiled in March 2005 and is expected to be adopted following the election of a new National Assembly in 2008 |
| Legal system: | based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Suffrage: | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch: | 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
head of government: Prime Minister Kinzang DORJI (since August 2007)
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 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote; election of a new National Assembly is expected in 2008 |
| Legislative branch: | unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 members elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; to serve three-year terms); note – a new bicameral parliament will be established in 2008
elections: first elections to be held in December 2007 and spring 2008; note – local elections last held August 2005 (next to be held in 2008)
election results: NA |
| Judicial branch: | Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch); note – the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court, which will serve as chief court of appeal |
| Political parties and leaders: | Druk Pheunsum Tshogpa or DPT [Jigme THINLEY]; People’s Democratic Party or PDP [Sangay NGEDUP] |
| Political pressure groups and leaders: | Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) |
| 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; address: 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551
consulate(s) general: New York |
| Diplomatic representation 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 |
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| Economy |
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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. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India drove GDP growth to over 20% in 2007 |
| GDP (purchasing power parity): | $3.503 billion (2006 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate): | $1.164 billion (2007 est.) |
| GDP—real growth rate: | 8.8% (2005 est.) |
| GDP—per capita (PPP): | $1,400 (2003 est.) |
| GDP—composition by sector: | agriculture: 24.7%
industry: 37.2%
services: 38.1% (2005) |
| Labor force: | NA
note: major shortage of skilled labor |
| Labor force—by occupation: | agriculture: 63%
industry: 6%
services: 31% (2004 est.) |
| Unemployment rate: | 2.5% (2004) |
| Population below poverty line: | 31.7% (2003) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices): | 5.5% (2005 est.) |
| Budget: | revenues: $272 million
expenditures: $350 million
note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan’s budget expenditures (2005) |
| Public debt: | 81.4% of GDP (2004) |
| 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: | 9.3% (1996 est.) |
| Electricity—production: | 2 billion kWh (2005) |
| Electricity—consumption: | 380 million kWh (2005) |
| Electricity—exports: | 1.5 billion kWh (2005) |
| Electricity—imports: | 20 million kWh (2005) |
| Oil—production: | 0 bbl/day (2005) |
| Oil—consumption: | 1,200 bbl/day (2005 est.) |
| Oil—exports: | 0 bbl/day (2004) |
| Oil—imports: | 1,138 bbl/day (2004) |
| Oil—proved reserves: | 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) |
| Natural gas—production: | 0 cu m (2005 est.) |
| Natural gas—consumption: | 0 cu m (2005 est.) |
| Natural gas—exports: | 0 cu m (2005 est.) |
| Natural gas—imports: | 0 cu m (2005) |
| Natural gas—proved reserves: | 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) |
| Exports: | $350 million f.o.b. (2006) |
| Exports—commodities: | electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices |
| Exports—partners: | India 54.5%, Hong Kong 34.6%, Bangladesh 6.9% (2006) |
| Imports: | $320 million c.i.f. (2006) |
| Imports—commodities: | fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice |
| Imports—partners: | India 76%, Japan 5.5%, Germany 3.2% (2006) |
| Debt—external: | $593 million (2004) |
| Market value of publicly traded shares: | $NA |
| Economic aid—recipient: | $90.02 million; note – substantial aid from India (2005) |
| Currency (code): | ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) |
| Exchange rates: | ngultrum per US dollar – NA (2007), 45.279 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003)
note: the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee |
| Fiscal year: | 1 July – 30 June |
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| Communications |
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| Telephones—main lines in use: | 31,500 (2006) |
| Telephones—mobile cellular: | 82,100 (2006) |
| Telephone system: | general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
domestic: very low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless 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 (2007) |
| Radio broadcast stations: | AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2007) |
| Television broadcast stations: | 1 (2007) |
| Internet country code: | .bt |
| Internet hosts: | 9,180 (2007) |
| Internet users: | 30,000 (2006) |
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| Transportation |
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| Airports: | 2 (2007) |
| Airports—with paved runways: | total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) |
| Airports—with unpaved runways: | total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) |
| Roadways: | total: 8,050 km
paved: 4,991 km
unpaved: 3,059 km (2003) |
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| Military |
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| Military branches: | Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2008) |
| Military service age and obligation: | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001) |
| Manpower available for military service: | males age 18-49: 483,860
females age 18-49: 453,683 (2005 est.) |
| Manpower fit for military service: | males age 18-49: 314,975
females age 18-49: 296,833 (2005 est.) |
| Manpower reaching military service age annually: | males age 18-49: 23,939
females age 18-49: 21,979 (2005 est.) |
| Military expenditures—percent of GDP: | 1% (2005 est.) |
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| Transnational Issues |
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| Disputes—international: | over 100,000 Bhutanese Lhotshampas (Hindus) have been confined in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps since 1990; Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian Nagaland separatists; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a boundary alignment to resolve substantial cartographic discrepancies, the largest of which lies in Bhutan’s northwest |
