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Bhutan
Main Page
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Background:
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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
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. 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, and the
cabinet acted as a
caretaker regime
until democratic
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.
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Location:
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Southern
Asia, between
China and India
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Geographic
coordinates:
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27
30 N, 90 30 E
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Map
references:
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Asia
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Area:
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total:
38,394
sq km
country
comparison to the
world: 136
land:
38,394
sq km
water:
0
sq km
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Area
- comparative:
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about
one-half the size
of Indiana
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Land
boundaries:
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total:
1,075
km
border
countries: China
470 km, India 605
km
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Coastline:
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0
km (landlocked)
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Maritime
claims:
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none
(landlocked)
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Climate:
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Current
Weather
varies;
tropical in
southern plains;
cool winters and
hot summers in
central valleys;
severe winters and
cool summers in
Himalayas
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Terrain:
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mostly
mountainous with
some fertile
valleys and
savanna
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Elevation
extremes:
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lowest
point: Drangeme
Chhu 97 m
highest
point: Gangkar
Puensum 7,570 m
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timber,
hydropower,
gypsum, calcium
carbonate
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Land
use:
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arable
land: 2.3%
permanent
crops: 0.43%
other:
97.27%
(2005)
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Irrigated
land:
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400
sq km (2003)
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Total
renewable water
resources:
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95
cu km (1987)
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Freshwater
withdrawal
(domestic/industrial/agricultural):
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total:
0.43
cu km/yr
(5%/1%/94%)
per
capita: 199
cu m/yr (2000)
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Natural
hazards:
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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
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Environment
- current issues:
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soil
erosion; limited
access to potable
water
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Environment
- international
agreements:
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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
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Geography
- note:
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landlocked;
strategic location
between China and
India; controls
several key
Himalayan mountain
passes
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Population:
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699,847
country
comparison to the
world: 164
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 (July
2010 est.)
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Age
structure:
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0-14
years: 30.2%
(male
106,410/female
102,164)
15-64
years: 64.3%
(male
235,988/female
208,484)
65
years and over: 5.5%
(male
20,169/female
17,926) (2010
est.)
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Median
age:
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total:
24.3
years
male:
25
years
female:
23.7
years (2010 est.)
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Population
growth rate:
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1.236%
(2010 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 101 |
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Birth
rate:
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19.62
births/1,000
population (2010
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 95 |
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Death
rate:
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7.25
deaths/1,000
population (July
2010 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 124 |
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Net
migration rate:
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0
migrant(s)/1,000
population
country
comparison to the
world: 88 |
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Urbanization:
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urban
population: 35%
of total
population (2008)
rate
of urbanization: 4.9%
annual rate of
change (2005-10
est.)
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Sex
ratio:
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at
birth: 1.05
male(s)/female
under
15 years: 1.04
male(s)/female
15-64
years: 1.13
male(s)/female
65
years and over: 1.12
male(s)/female
total
population: 1.1
male(s)/female
(2010 est.)
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Infant
mortality rate:
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total:
46.92
deaths/1,000 live
births
country
comparison to the
world: 55
male:
47.8
deaths/1,000 live
births
female:
45.99
deaths/1,000 live
births (2010 est.)
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Life
expectancy at
birth:
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total
population: 66.71
years
country
comparison to the
world: 158
male:
65.89
years
female:
67.57
years (2010 est.)
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Total
fertility rate:
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2.29
children
born/woman (2010
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 105 |
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HIV/AIDS
- adult prevalence
rate:
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less
than 0.1% (2007
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 113 |
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HIV/AIDS
- people living
with HIV/AIDS:
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fewer
than 100 (2007
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 162 |
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HIV/AIDS
- deaths:
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NA
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Major
infectious
diseases:
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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)
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Nationality:
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noun:
Bhutanese
(singular and
plural)
adjective:
Bhutanese
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Ethnic
groups:
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Bhote
50%, ethnic
Nepalese 35%
(includes
Lhotsampas - one
of several
Nepalese ethnic
groups),
indigenous or
migrant tribes 15%
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Religions:
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Lamaistic
Buddhist 75%,
Indian- and
Nepalese-influenced
Hinduism 25%
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Languages:
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Dzongkha
(official), Bhotes
speak various
Tibetan dialects,
Nepalese speak
various Nepalese
dialects
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Literacy:
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definition:
age
15 and over can
read and write
total
population: 47%
male:
60%
female:
34%
(2003 est.)
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School
life expectancy
(primary to
tertiary
education):
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total:
11
years
male:
12
years
female:
11
years (2008)
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Education
expenditures:
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5.1%
of GDP (2008)
country
comparison to the
world: 63
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Country
name:
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conventional
long form: Kingdom
of Bhutan
conventional
short form: Bhutan
local
long form: Druk
Gyalkhap
local
short form: Druk
Yul
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Government
type:
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constitutional
monarchy
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Capital:
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name:
Thimphu
geographic
coordinates: 27
29 N, 89 36 E
time
difference: UTC+6
(11 hours ahead of
Washington, DC
during Standard
Time)
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Administrative
divisions:
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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
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Independence:
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1907
(became a unified
kingdom under its
first hereditary
king)
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National
holiday:
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National
Day (Ugyen
WANGCHUCK became
first hereditary
king), 17 December
(1907)
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Constitution:
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ratified
18 July 2008
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Legal
system:
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based
on Indian law and
English common
law; has not
accepted
compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
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Suffrage:
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18
years of age;
universal
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Executive
branch:
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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
this 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 the World
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
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Legislative
branch:
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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
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Judicial
branch:
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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
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Political
parties and
leaders:
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Bhutan
Peace and
Prosperity Party (Druk
Phuensum Tshogpa)
or DPT [Jigme
THINLEY]; People's
Democratic Party
or PDP [Tshering
TOBGAY]
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Political
pressure groups
and leaders:
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United
Front for
Democracy
(exiled); Druk
National Congress
(exiled)
other:
Buddhist
clergy; ethnic
Nepalese
organizations
leading militant
antigovernment
campaign; Indian
merchant community
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International
organization
participation:
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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)
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Diplomatic
representation in
the US:
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none;
note - the
Permanent Mission
to the UN for
Bhutan has
consular
jurisdiction in
the US; the
permanent
representative to
the UN is Daw
PENJO; address:
763 First Avenue,
New York, NY
10017; telephone
[1] (212)
682-2268; FAX [1]
(212) 661-0551
consulate(s)
general: New
York
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Diplomatic
representation
from the US:
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the
US and Bhutan have
no formal
diplomatic
relations,
although informal
contact is
maintained between
the Bhutanese and
US Embassy in New
Delhi (India)
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Flag
description:
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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
Bhuddism, while
the yellow denotes
the ruling dynasty
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National
anthem:
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name:
"Druk
tsendhen"
(The Thunder
Dragon Kingdom)
lyrics/music:
Gyaldun
Dasho Thinley
DORJI/Aku TONGMI
note:
adopted
1953
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Economy
- overview:
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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.
Complicated
controls and
uncertain policies
in areas such as
industrial
licensing, trade,
labor, and finance
continue to hamper
foreign
investment.
Hydropower exports
to India have
boosted Bhutan's
overall growth.
New hydropower
projects will be
the driving force
behind Bhutan's
ability to create
employment and
sustain growth in
the coming years.
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GDP
(purchasing power
parity):
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$3.526
billion (2010
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 170
$3.301
billion (2009
est.)
$3.123
billion (2008
est.)
note:
data
are in 2010 US
dollars
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GDP
(official exchange
rate):
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$1.397
billion (2010
est.)
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GDP
- real growth rate:
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6.8%
(2010 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 26
5.7%
(2009 est.)
2.7%
(2008 est.)
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GDP
- per capita (PPP):
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$5,000
(2010 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 144
$4,800
(2009 est.)
$4,600
(2008 est.)
note:
data
are in 2010 US
dollars
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GDP
- composition by
sector:
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agriculture:
17.6%
industry:
45%
services:
37.4%
(2006)
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Labor
force:
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299,900
country
comparison to the
world: 164
note:
major
shortage of
skilled labor
(2008)
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Labor
force - by
occupation:
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agriculture:
63%
industry:
6%
services:
31%
(2004 est.)
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Unemployment
rate:
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4%
(2009)
country
comparison to the
world: 36
2.5%
(2004)
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Population
below poverty line:
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23.2%
(2008)
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Household
income or
consumption by
percentage share:
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lowest
10%: 2.3%
highest
10%: 37.6%
(2003)
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Public
debt:
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57.8%
of GDP (2009)
country
comparison to the
world: 40
81.4%
of GDP (2004)
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Inflation
rate (consumer
prices):
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4.3%
(2008 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 127
4.9%
(2007 est.)
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Central
bank discount rate:
|
NA%
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Commercial
bank prime lending
rate:
|
NA%
(31 December 2009
est.)
NA%
(31 December 2008
est.)
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Stock
of narrow money:
|
$335
million (31
December 2008)
country
comparison to the
world: 164
$381.1
million (31
December 2007)
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Stock
of broad money:
|
$NA
(31 December 2009)
$647.6
million (31
December 2008)
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Stock
of domestic
credit:
|
$NA
(31 December 2008)
$169.9
million (31
December 2007
est.)
|
|
Market
value of publicly
traded shares:
|
$NA
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Agriculture
- products:
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rice,
corn, root crops,
citrus, foodgrains;
dairy products,
eggs
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Industries:
|
cement,
wood products,
processed fruits,
alcoholic
beverages, calcium
carbide, tourism
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|
Industrial
production growth
rate:
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NA%
|
|
Electricity
- production:
|
1.48
billion kWh (2009
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 140 |
|
Electricity
- consumption:
|
184
million kWh (2009
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 178 |
|
Electricity
- exports:
|
1.296
billion kWh (2009
est.)
|
|
Electricity
- imports:
|
0
kWh (2009 est.)
|
|
Oil
- production:
|
0
bbl/day (2009
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 118 |
|
Oil
- consumption:
|
1,000
bbl/day (2009
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 190 |
|
Oil
- exports:
|
0
bbl/day (2008
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 140 |
|
Oil
- imports:
|
1,250
bbl/day (2008
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 183 |
|
Oil
- proved reserves:
|
0
bbl (1 January
2010 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 199 |
|
Natural
gas - production:
|
0
cu m (2008 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 202 |
|
Natural
gas - consumption:
|
0
cu m (2008 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 204 |
|
Natural
gas - exports:
|
0
cu m (2008 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 53 |
|
Natural
gas - imports:
|
0
cu m (2008 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 80 |
|
Natural
gas - proved
reserves:
|
0
cu m (1 January
2010 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 200 |
|
Current
account balance:
|
$164
million (2008
est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 55
$116
million (2007
est.)
|
|
Exports:
|
$513
million (2008)
country
comparison to the
world: 166
$350
million (2006)
|
|
Exports
- commodities:
|
electricity
(to India),
ferrosilicon,
cement, calcium
carbide, copper
wire, manganese,
vegetable oil
|
|
Exports
- partners:
|
India
86.3%, Bangladesh
8.1%, Italy 1.5%
(2008)
|
|
Imports:
|
$533
million (2008)
country
comparison to the
world: 187
$320
million (2006)
|
|
Imports
- commodities:
|
fuel
and lubricants,
passenger cars,
machinery and
parts, fabrics,
rice (2008)
|
|
Imports
- partners:
|
India
63%, Japan 12.3%,
China 5.1% (2008)
|
|
Debt
- external:
|
$836
million (2009)
country
comparison to the
world: 152
$713.3
million (2006)
|
|
Exchange
rates:
|
ngultrum
(BTN) per US
dollar - 46.6
(2009), 41.487
(2007), 45.279
(2006), 44.101
(2005), 45.317
(2004)
note:
the
ngultrum is pegged
to the Indian
rupee
|
|
|
|
Telephones
- main lines in
use:
|
26,300
(2009)
country
comparison to the
world: 182 |
|
Telephones
- mobile cellular:
|
327,100
(2009)
country
comparison to the
world: 169 |
|
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)
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|
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:
|
9,147
(2010)
country
comparison to the
world: 125 |
|
Internet
users:
|
50,000
(2009)
country
comparison to the
world: 173
|
|
|
|
Airports:
|
2
(2010)
country
comparison to the
world: 196 |
|
Airports
- with paved
runways:
|
total:
1
1,524
to 2,437 m: 1
(2010)
|
|
Airports
- with unpaved
runways:
|
total:
1
914
to 1,523 m: 1
(2010)
|
|
Roadways:
|
total:
8,050
km
country
comparison to the
world: 141
paved:
4,991
km
unpaved:
3,059
km (2003)
|
|
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|
Military
branches:
|
Royal
Bhutan Army
(includes Royal
Bodyguard and
Royal Bhutan
Police) (2009)
|
|
Military
service age and
obligation:
|
18
years of age for
voluntary military
service; no
conscription
(2010)
|
|
Manpower
available for
military service:
|
males
age 16-49: 198,553
females
age 16-49: 176,226
(2010 est.)
|
|
Manpower
fit for military
service:
|
males
age 16-49: 153,985
females
age 16-49: 140,437
(2010 est.)
|
|
Manpower
reaching
militarily
significant age
annually:
|
male:
7,432
female:
7,153
(2010 est.)
|
|
Military
expenditures:
|
1%
of GDP (2005 est.)
country
comparison to the
world: 135
|
|
|
|
Transnational
Issues ::Bhutan |
Disputes
- international:
|
Bhutan
cooperates with
India to expel
Indian Nagaland
separatists;
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
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