Bhutan
Region
🌍 Asia
Population
👥 790
Currency
💱 Bhutanese ngultrum
Languages
🗣️ Dzongkha
This mark means a fact is linked to a checked source. Hover or tap it to see the source. 34 of 141 facts on this page are sourced.
Official NameSource: REST Countries
Kingdom of Bhutan
Continent
Asia
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Bhutanese
Independence
Bhutan's unification as a kingdom occurred in 1907.
Top-Level Domain
.bt
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+975
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC+06:00
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Thimphu
ISO Alpha-2
BT
ISO Alpha-3
BTN
UN Code
64
Geographic Coordinates
27.5,90.5
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
38,394#137 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
790,718#166 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
20.62
Highest Point (m)
7,570 meters (Gangkhar Puensum).
Lowest Point (m)
Approximately 97 meters.
Land Use
Primarily forest and agricultural land.
Irrigated Land
Approximately 10,000 hectares of land are irrigated.
Coastline Length
This landlocked country has no coastline.
Climate
Varies greatly with altitude, ranging from subtropical in the south to alpine in the north.
Natural Resources
Hydropower, timber, limestone, gypsum.
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
China, India
Major Rivers
Manas River, Wang Chhu, Puna Tsang Chhu.
Major Lakes
There are numerous glacial lakes, including the large lake of Phochhu.
Government Type
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy.
Administrative Divisions
20 districts (dzongkhag).
Legal System
Based on the Constitution of Bhutan, with influences from both common law and Buddhist law.
Chief of State
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Lotay Tshering.
Cabinet
Council of Ministers.
Elections
Elections are held for the National Assembly and National Council.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court, High Court, and district courts.
Legislative Branch
Bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Assembly and the National Council.
Major Political Parties
The major political parties include the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
CurrencySource: REST Countries
Bhutanese ngultrum
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
3.58#175 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
15.61#156 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
4,492.78#142 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
13.68
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
33.16
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
53.16
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
3.56#78 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
411,263
Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
3.23#139 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Central government debt, total (% of GDP) (2020)Checked September 29, 2026
111.01
Budget
The Bhutanese government budget is available through official government publications.
Exports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Exports of goods and services (current US$) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
1.05#167 of 192
Imports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Imports of goods and services (current US$) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
1.6#170 of 192
Foreign Reserves
Significant foreign reserves are maintained to support the Ngultrum.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange rates can be found at major international banking websites.
GDP by Sector
Agriculture: 16.5%, Industry: 41.5%, Services: 42% (2020 est.)
Major Industries
Hydroelectric power, tourism, cement, forestry, food processing.
Major Export Partners
India, Bangladesh.
Major Import Partners
India, Japan.
Society
Literacy Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) (2022)Checked September 29, 2026
64.91#144 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
12.5
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
6.1
Net Migration Rate
Approximately -1 migrant(s) per 1,000 population (2021 est.)
Median Age
Approximately 30 years (2021 est.)
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
43.43#164 of 214
Urbanization Rate
Approximately 1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
73.3#121 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
Less than 0.1% of adults (2021 est.)
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
4.42
Ethnic Groups
Ngalop (Bhote), Sharchop, Lhotshampa, and various indigenous groups.
Religions
Mostly Buddhism (state religion), with a small Hindu minority.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
Dzongkha
Education
Education System
Education is free at the primary and secondary levels. Bhutan follows a curriculum that incorporates both modern and traditional subjects.
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (2018)Checked September 29, 2026
13.1
Government Education Spending
Government spending on education is a significant portion of the budget, aiming to improve literacy and skills.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
Royal University of Bhutan is the primary university.
Culture
Cultural Overview
Bhutanese culture is deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions, emphasizing Gross National Happiness, with a strong focus on art, architecture, and spirituality.
National Holidays
Includes National Day, Buddha's Birthday, and various religious festivals.
Popular Music
Includes traditional folk music and modern genres influenced by Indian and Western music.
Traditional Food
Ema Datshi (chili and cheese stew) is the national dish, along with other dishes like momos (dumplings) and red rice.
Sports
Archery is the national sport; also popular are football, basketball and cricket.
Major Festivals
Tshechus (religious festivals) are major events, with masked dances and colorful celebrations.
Famous People
Includes monks, artists, and figures involved in promoting Gross National Happiness.
Cultural Heritage Sites
Includes numerous Dzongs (fortress-monasteries), temples, and traditional villages.
UNESCO Sites
Includes the Punakha Dzong, and others.
Annual Tourist Visits
—
Tourism Overview
—
Top Tourist Attractions
—
Famous Cities
—
National Parks
—
Protected Areas
—
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
—
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
—
Healthcare
Healthcare Quality
Information on healthcare quality can be found in international health reports.
Medical Cost
Medical costs vary depending on the service and facility.
Number of Hospitals
There are several hospitals throughout the country, including district hospitals and the national referral hospital.
Universal Healthcare
Bhutan provides universal healthcare, with free or heavily subsidized services for its citizens.
Medical Services Overview
Bhutan provides a combination of public and private healthcare services.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical services are available, but may be limited in remote areas.
Emergency & Safety
Emergency Number (Police)
—
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
—
Emergency Number (Fire)
—
Crime Rate
—
Safety Index
—
Military Expenditure
—
Emergency Services Overview
—
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
—
Infrastructure
Electricity Access
—
Water Access
—
Sanitation Access
—
Railways
Bhutan does not have a railway system.
Roadways
—
Transportation System
Roads are the primary mode of transport, with improvements ongoing; air travel is also available.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
Paro International Airport (PBH), Gelephu Airport (GLU)
Ports
—
Public Transit
—
Technology & Communication
Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
91.28#53 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
—
Tech Startups
—
Innovation Index
—
ICT Development Index
—
TV Broadcast Stations
—
Radio Broadcast Stations
—
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
2.01#115 of 202
Air Quality Index
—
Water Pollution Level
—
Renewable Energy Usage
—
Environmental Issues
—
Natural Hazards
—
Waste Management
—
Environmental Agreements
—
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
—
International Organizations
—
Major Treaties
—
Visa-Free Countries
—