Bhutan

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

Internet hosts

14,590 (2012) country comparison to the world: 126

Internet users

50,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 174

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

27,500 (2011) country comparison to the world: 181

Telephones - mobile cellular

484,200 (2011) country comparison to the world: 167

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $581.5 million expenditures: $610.6 million note: the government of India finances nearly one-quarter of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.5% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 14.5% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$312.1 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 -$354.9 million (2010 est.)

Debt - external

$1.275 billion (2011) country comparison to the world: 148 $836 million (2009)

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 40% 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 is dependent 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. The import of equipment and fuel to build hydropower plants is leading to large trade and current account deficits, though new hydropower projects and electricity exports to India are creating employment and will probably sustain growth in the coming years. GDP has rebounded strongly since the global recession began in 2008.

Exchange rates

ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 53.28 (2012 est.) 46.67 (2011 est.) 45.73 (2010 est.) 46.68 (2009 est.) 43.51 (2008 est.)

Exports

$725.2 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 $665.3 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

electricity (to India), ferrosilicon, cement, calcium carbide, copper wire, manganese, vegetable oil

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.214 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.813 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $4.379 billion (2011 est.) $4.16 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 15.1% industry: 34.2% services: 37.6% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,500 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $5,900 (2011 est.) $5,700 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

9.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 5.3% (2011 est.) 11.8% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 37.6% (2003)

Imports

$1.28 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 $1.185 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

fuel and lubricants, passenger cars, machinery and parts, fabrics, rice

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 8.9% (2011 est.)

Labor force

299,900 country comparison to the world: 165 note: major shortage of skilled labor (2008)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 43.7% industry: 39.1% services: 17.2% (2004 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

23.2% (2008)

Public debt

64% of GDP (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 55% of GDP (2010 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.018 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 $1.16 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$185.1 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 $206.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$423.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $387 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

47.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Unemployment rate

4% (2009) country comparison to the world: 34 2.5% (2004)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

276,300 Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Electricity - consumption

1.161 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Electricity - exports

5.5 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Electricity - from fossil fuels

1.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

98.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Electricity - imports

20 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.505 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Electricity - production

6.826 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,719 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,590 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Area

total: 38,394 sq km country comparison to the world: 137 land: 38,394 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

about one-half the size of Indiana

Climate

varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

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

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, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.43 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%) per capita: 199 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

27 30 N, 90 30 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

400 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km

Land use

arable land: 2.3% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 97.27% (2005)

Location

Southern Asia, between China and India

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

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

Natural resources

timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate

Terrain

mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

Total renewable water resources

95 cu km (1987)

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

Capital

name: Thimphu geographic coordinates: 27 28 N, 89 38 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

ratified 18 July 2008

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan local long form: Druk Gyalkhap local short form: Druk Yul

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)

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 10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551 consulate(s) general: New York

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; 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 (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) 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

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 Buddhism, while the yellow denotes the ruling dynasty

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

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

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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)

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

Legal system

civil law based on Buddhist religious law

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

National anthem

name: "Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom) lyrics/music: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI note: adopted 1953

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

thunder dragon known as Druk

Political parties and leaders

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

Political pressure groups and leaders

United Front for Democracy (exiled); Druk National Congress (exiled) other: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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. 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. 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. 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.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 202,407 females age 16-49: 180,349 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 157,664 females age 16-49: 144,861 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 7,363 female: 7,095 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2009)

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; militia training is compulsory for males aged 20-25, over a 3-year period (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years: 28.4% (male 103,802/ female 99,553) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 249,391/ female 222,384) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 21,963/ female 19,803) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

18.75 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

12% (2008) country comparison to the world: 60

Death rate

6.99 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Education expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 67

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Health expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 129

Hospital bed density

1.7 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

total: 42.17 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 54 male: 42.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 41.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages

Sharchhopka 28%, Dzongkha (official) 24%, Lhotshamkha 22%, other 26%

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 67.88 years country comparison to the world: 159 male: 67.01 years female: 68.79 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47% male: 60% female: 34% (2003 est.)

Major cities - population

THIMPHU (capital) 89,000 (2009)

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)

Maternal mortality rate

180 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 58

Median age

total: 25.3 years male: 25.9 years female: 24.7 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Physicians density

0.023 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

716,896 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 note: the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook 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

Population growth rate

1.175% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 87% of population rural: 54% of population total: 65% of population unimproved: urban: 13% of population rural: 46% of population total: 35% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2008)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.13 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 6.3% country comparison to the world: 120 male: 5.5% female: 7.2% (2005)

Urbanization

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

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

Airports

2 (2012) country comparison to the world: 204

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)

Roadways

total: 8,050 km country comparison to the world: 140 paved: 4,991 km (includes 622 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,059 km (2003)