2007 Edition

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: 38.9% (male 458,801/female 426,947) 15-64 years: 57.1% (male 671,057/female 631,078) 65 years and over: 4% (male 46,217/female 45,623) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

2 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

total

1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)

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 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. Geography Bhutan

Birth rate

33.65 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

including capital expenditures of $NA

note

the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2004)

revenues

$346.6 million

Capital

geographic coordinates

27 28 N, 89 39 E

name

Thimphu

time difference

UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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 - in 2001, the king commissioned the drafting of a constitution, and in March 2005 publicly unveiled it; is awaiting national referendum

Country name

conventional long form

Kingdom of Bhutan

conventional short form

Bhutan

local long form

Druk Gyalkhap

local short form

Druk Yul

Currency (code)

ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)

Currency code

BTN; INR

Death rate

12.7 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$593 million (2004)

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; FAX [1] (212) 826-2998; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US

consulate(s) general

New York

Disputes - international

approximately 105,000 Bhutanese have lived decades as refugees in Nepal, 90% of whom reside in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees camps; Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian separatists This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Economic aid - recipient

$78 million substantial aid from India and other nations (2004)

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 80% 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 like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.

Electricity - consumption

526.5 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

1.4 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

20 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

2.05 billion kWh (2004)

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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes

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 - 44.101 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003), 48.61 (2002)

note

the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee

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 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

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

Prime Minister Khandu WANGCHUK (since 7 September 2006)

Exports

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

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Japan 32.3%, Germany 13.2%, France 13.1%, South Korea 7.6%, US 7.5%, Thailand 5.6%, Italy 5% (2005)

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 - composition by sector

agriculture

25.8%

industry

37.9%

services

36.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,400 (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.9% (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$840.5 million (2005 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.9 billion (2003 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

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, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice

Imports - partners

Hong Kong 66.6%, Mexico 20.2%, France 3.8% (2005)

Independence

8 August 1949 (from India)

Industrial production growth rate

9.3% (1996 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

100.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

96.14 deaths/1,000 live births

total

98.41 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7% (2005 est.)

International organization participation

AsDB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Internet country code

.bt

Internet hosts

7,567 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

NA

Internet users

25,000 (2005) Transportation Bhutan

Irrigated land

400 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

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

Labor force

NA

note

major shortage of skilled labor

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

93%

industry

2%

services

5%

Land boundaries

border countries

China 470 km, India 605 km

total

1,075 km

Land use

arable land

2.3%

other

97.27% (2005)

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 August 2005 (next to be held in 2008)

Life expectancy at birth

female

54.53 years (2006 est.)

male

55.02 years

total population

54.78 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

34% (2003 est.) Government Bhutan

male

60%

total population

47%

Location

Southern Asia, between China and India

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

453,683 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

483,860

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

296,833 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

314,975

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 18-49

21,979 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

23,939

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

20.6 years (2006 est.)

male

20.2 years

total

20.4 years

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$8.29 million (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1% (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Bhutan

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)

National holiday

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

Nationality

adjective

Bhutanese

noun

Bhutanese (singular and plural)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2004 est.)

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

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

1,160 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2004)

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

2,279,723

note

other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

31.7% (2003)

Population growth rate

2.1% (2006 est.)

Public debt

81.4% of GDP (2004)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2006)

Radios

37,000 (1997)

Religions

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

Roadways

paved

4,991 km

total

8,050 km

unpaved

3,059 km (2003) Military Bhutan

Royal Bhutan Army

Royal Bodyguard, Royal Bhutan Police (2005)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.07 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female

Suffrage

each family has one vote in village-level elections; note - in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law

Telephone system

domestic

very low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003

general assessment

telecommunications facilities are poor

international

country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 (2005)

Telephones - main lines in use

32,700 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

37,800 (2005)

Television broadcast stations

1 (2006)

Televisions

11,000 (1997)

Terrain

mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

Total fertility rate

4.74 children born/woman (2006 est.)