Bhutan

Kingdom of BhutanDruk Gyalkhap

absolute monarchyIndependence 8 August 1949 (from India)

Bhutan as the 2007 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 116 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalThimphu, UTC+6

Position27 30 N, 90 30 E

Area47,000 sq km

LocationSouthern Asia, between China and India

Populationas each edition published it

2.33 million July 2007 est. · 1.57m in 1990

Population growth% a year

2.082% 2007 est. · 2.33% in 1993

Median ageyears

20.5 years 2007 est. · 20.1 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

55.17 years 2007 est. · 50.17 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

4.67 children per woman 2007 est. · 5 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

96.37 deaths per 1,000 live births 2007 est. · 137 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$1,400 2003 est. · $200 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

8.8% 2005 est. · 3.1% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

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.

A referendum date has yet to be named, but should occur in 2008. 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.

Geography

Southern Asia, between China and India

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Land useshare of 47,000 sq km

arable land 2.3%permanent crops 0.43%other 97.27% (2005)irrigated 400 sq km (2003)

Area

47,000sq km

land: 47,000 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmabout half the size of Indiana

Coastline

0km

(landlocked)Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Highest point

7,553m

Kula Kangrilowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m

Land boundaries

1,075km

border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km

Location

Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic coordinates

27 30 N, 90 30 E

Map references

Asia

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

Natural resources

timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate

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

People

19 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2007 est.)

47,123

65 and over4%

46,640

688,428

15-6457.4%

647,134

465,340

0-1438.6%

433,184

MaleFemale

Population

2,327,849

growth rate: 2.082% (2007 est.)

Note

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.)

Per 1,000 population(2007 est.)

Birth

33.28Death

12.46Net migration

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2007 est.)55.17

55.38 · 54.96Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)96.37

94.09 · 98.77

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2003 est.)47%

60% · 34%Median age years (2007 est.)20.5

20.4 · 20.7

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

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

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.)

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

Nationality

noun:: Bhutanese (singular and plural)
adjective:: Bhutanese

Religions

Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%

Languages

Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

Government

Absolute monarchy; King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); Prime Minister Kinzang DORJI (since August 2007)

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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

8 August 1949 (from India)

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

each family has one vote in village-level elections

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)

elections:: first election to be held in 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)

Political parties and leaders

no legal parties

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

AsDB, 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: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017;
telephone [1] (212) 826-1919;
FAX [1] (212) 826-2998

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

Economy

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.

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GDP, purchasing power parity

$3.503billion

(2006 est.)official exchange rate: $840.5 million (2005 est.)

GDP per capita, PPP

$1,400

(2003 est.)

Real growth rate

8.8%

(2005 est.)industrial production growth: 9.3% (1996 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

5.5%

(2005 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2005)

agriculture 24.7%industry 37.2%services 38.1% (2005)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

54.5%

India

76%

34.6%

Hong Kong

6.9%

Bangladesh

Japan

5.5%

Germany

3.2%

Exports $186 million f.o.b. (2005)Imports $410 million c.i.f. (2005)(2006)

Budget

Revenues

$272 millionExpenditures

$350 million

note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2005)

Electricity

Electricity production

2 billion (2005)Electricity consumption

380 million (2005)Electricity exports

1.5 billion (2005)Electricity imports

20 million (2005)

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.

Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. 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.

Labor force

NA note: major shortage of skilled labor

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:: 63%
industry:: 6%
services:: 31% (2004 est.)

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

82,100

(2006)

Internet users

9,180

(2007)

Fixed lines

31,500

(2006) · country code .bt

Telephone system

general assessment:: telecommunications facilities are poor
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 (2005)

Transportation

4 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

1,524 to 2,437 m

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

914 to 1,523 m

Airports

2 (2007)

Roadways

total:: 8,050 km
paved:: 4,991 km
unpaved:: 3,059 km (2003)

Military

Royal Bhutan Army: Royal Bodyguard, Royal Bhutan Police (2005)

6 fields

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

(2005 est.)

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.)

Transnational Issues