Edition 2003 — Bhutan — World Factbook

Administrative divisions

18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang
note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse

Age structure

0-14 years: 39.6% (male 438,784; female 407,919) 15-64 years: 56.4% (male 621,666; female 585,550) 65 years and over: 4% (male 43,262; female 42,368) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

2 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Bhutan

Area

land: 47,000 sq km
total: 47,000 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

about half the size of Indiana

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. 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. Maoist Assamese separatists from India, who have established themselves in the southeast portion of Bhutan, have drawn Indian cross-border incursions. Geography Bhutan

Birth rate

34.82 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of NA
note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (FY95/96 est.)
revenues: $146 million

Capital

Thimphu

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)

Constitution

no written constitution or bill of rights; note - the King commissioned a committee to draft a constitution in 2001, but has yet to be approved

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form: Bhutan

Currency

ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)

Currency code

BTN; INR

Death rate

13.47 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$245 million (2000)

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 - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US
consulate(s) general: New York

Disputes - international

approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal, 90% of whom reside in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps, place decades-long strains on Nepal This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Economic aid - recipient

substantial aid from India and other nations

Economy - overview

The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, providing the main livelihood for more than 90% 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. The government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. 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. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.

Electricity - consumption

379.5 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

1.4 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

16 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

1.896 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 0.1%
hydro: 99.9%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m

Environment - current issues

soil erosion; limited access to potable water

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Ethnic groups

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

Exchange rates

ngultrum per US dollar - 48.61 (2002), 47.19 (2001), 44.94 (2000), 43.06 (1999), 41.26 (1998)

Executive branch

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
chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)
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
head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo Jigme Y. THINLEY (since 30 August 2003)

Exports

$154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)

Exports - commodities

electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices

Exports - partners

US 24.1%, UK 23.9%, Pakistan 23.1%, France 13.9% (2002)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June Communications Bhutan

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 Bhutan

GDP

purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 45%
industry: 10%
services: 45% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

7.7% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

27 30 N, 90 30 E

Geography - note

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

Government type

monarchy; special treaty relationship with India

Highways

paved: 2,240 km
total: 3,690 km
unpaved: 1,450 km (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

less than 100 (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%

Imports

$196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.)

Imports - commodities

fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice

Imports - partners

Japan 44.5%, Germany 12.2%, UK 8.5%, Singapore 6%, South Korea 5%, US 4.2% (2002)

Independence

8 August 1949 (from India)

Industrial production growth rate

9.3% (1996 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female: 106.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 102.49 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 104.68 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer)

Internet country code

.bt

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

NA

Internet users

2,500 (2002) Transportation Bhutan

Irrigated land

400 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)

Labor force

NA
note: massive lack of skilled labor

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%

Land boundaries

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

Land use

arable land: 2.98%
other: 96.59% (1998 est.)
permanent crops: 0.43%

Languages

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

Legal system

based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms)
election results: NA
elections: local elections last held November 2002 (next to be held NA 2005)

Life expectancy at birth

female: 53.25 years (2003 est.)
male: 53.9 years
total population: 53.58 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
female: 28.1% (1995 est.) Government Bhutan
male: 56.2%
total population: 42.2%

Location

Southern Asia, between China and India

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female: 20.3 years (2002)
male: 19.9 years
total: 20.1 years

Military branches

Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bodyguard, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Forest Guards

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$9.3 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.9% (FY02) Transnational Issues Bhutan

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 530,860 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 283,493 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 22,755 (2003 est.)

National holiday

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

Nationality

adjective: Bhutanese
noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)

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 carbide

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

1,020 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

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)

Population

2,139,549
note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

2.14% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

none

Radio broadcast stations

AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

37,000 (1997)

Railways

0 km

Religions

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

Suffrage

each family has one vote in village-level elections

Telephone system

domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use
general assessment: NA
international: international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)

Telephones - main lines in use

6,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

NA

Television broadcast stations

0 (1997)

Televisions

11,000 (1997)

Terrain

mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

Total fertility rate

4.94 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Waterways