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Last update: January, 19 2021

Bhutan

Flag of Bhutan
Government
NameKingdom of Bhutan
Dzongkhaའབྲུག་རྒྱལ་ཁབ་ 
Druk Gyal Khap
Government typeConstitutional monarchy
CapitalThimphu (114,551 (2017))
CurrencyNgultrum (BTN)
Organization
Member StateSouth Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
People
Population (2020)771,612 (165th)
Density of population19.3 P/km2 (162nd)
NationalityBhutanese
Official languages
Dzongkha
Ethnic groups
Ngalop (also known as Bhote)50%
Ethnic Nepali (predominantly Lhotshampas)35%
Indigenous or migrant tribes15%
Religions (2005)
Lamaistic Buddhist75.3%
Indian- and Nepali-influenced Hinduism22.1%
Other2.6%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male71 years
Female73.2 years
Total population72.1 years (154th)
Homicides
Total (2018)1.2 per 100,000 people (133rd)
Geography
Land area38,394 km2
water area0 km2
total area38,394 km2 (137th)
Mean elevation2,220 m
Lowest point
Drangeme Chhu97 m
Highest point
Gangkar Puensum7,570 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land13.6%
Arable land2.6%
Permanent crops0.3%
Permanent pasture10.7%
Forest85.5%
Other0.9%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)42.3
Rate of urbanization2.98% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)397,900  (160th)
Labor force by occupation (2015)
Agriculture58%
Industry20%
Services 22%
Unemployment rate (2017)3.2% (39th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2018)
Total$7.701 billion
Per capita$9,426 (115th)
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2018)
Total$2.547 billion
Per capita$3,117 (130th)
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture16.2%
Industry41.8%
Services42%
Exports (2017)$554.6 million (173rd)
Exports partners (2017)
India95.3%
Imports (2017)$1.025 billion (185th)
Imports partners (2017)
India89.5%

Bhutan on the world map

Bhutan on the world map

Bhutan top 10 largest cities (2017)

  1. Thimphu (114,551)
  2. Phuntsholing (27,658)
  3. Paro (11,448)
  4. Gelephu (9,858)
  5. Samdrup Jongkhar (9,325)
  6. Wangdue Phodrang (8,954)
  7. Punakha (6,262)
  8. Jaka (6,243)
  9. Nganglam (5,418)
  10. Samtse (5,396)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Bhutan (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 24.52% (male 98,113/female 93,740)
  • 15-24 years: 17.77% (male 70,768/female 68,211)
  • 25-54 years: 44.72% (male 184,500/female 165,374)
  • 55-64 years: 6.39% (male 26,714/female 23,280)
  • 65 years and over: 6.6% (male 26,797/female 24,821)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

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

Industries:

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

Exports – commodities:

electricity (to India), ferrosilicon, cement, cardamom, calcium carbide, steel rods/bars, dolomite, gypsum

Imports – commodities:

fuel and lubricants, airplanes, machinery and parts, rice, motor vehicles

Time zone and current time in Bhutan

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Bhutan

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