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Bhutan
Bhutan (South Asia)
Introduction
Background
After Britain’s victory in the 1865 Duar War, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding land to British India. Ugyen WANGCHUCK -- who had served as the de facto ruler of an increasingly unified Bhutan and had improved relations with the British toward the end of the 19th century -- was named king 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. Bhutan negotiated a similar arrangement with independent India in 1949. The Indo-Bhutanese Treaty of Friendship returned to Bhutan a small piece of the territory annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. Under a succession of modernizing monarchs beginning in the 1950s, Bhutan joined the UN in 1971 and slowly continued its engagement beyond its borders.
In 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the draft of Bhutan's first constitution -- which introduced major democratic reforms -- and held a national referendum for its approval. The King abdicated the throne in 2006 in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK. In 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be "guided by" India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. In 2008, Bhutan held its first parliamentary election in accordance with the constitution. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following a parliamentary election in 2013, which resulted in the defeat of the incumbent party. In 2018, the incumbent party again lost the parliamentary election. In 2024, of the more than 100,000 ethnic Nepali -- predominantly Lhotshampa -- refugees who fled or were forced out of Bhutan in the 1990s, about 6,500 remain displaced in Nepal.
Geography ::Bhutan
Geography
Location
Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates
27 30 N, 90 30 E
Map references
Asia
Area
total : 38,394 sq km
land: 38,394 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 136
Area - comparative
slightly larger than Maryland; about one-half the size of Indiana
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 1,136 km
border countries (2): China 477 km; India 659 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
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
Elevation
highest point: Gangkar Puensum 7,570 m
lowest point: Drangeme Chhu 97 m
mean elevation: 2,220 m
Natural resources
timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate
Land use
agricultural land: 13.6% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 10.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 85.5% (2018 est.)
other: 0.9% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
320 sq km (2012)
Natural hazards
violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's Bhutanese name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season
Geography - note
landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
People and Society
Population
total: 884,546
male: 457,665
female: 426,881 (2024 est.)
comparison rankings: female 165; male 163; total 165
Nationality
noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Bhutanese
Ethnic groups
Ngalop (also known as Bhote) 50%, ethnic Nepali 35% (predominantly Lhotshampas), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Languages
Sharchopkha 28%, Dzongkha (official) 24%, Lhotshamkha 22%, other 26% (includes foreign languages) (2005 est.)
Religions
Lamaistic Buddhist 75.3%, Indian- and Nepali-influenced Hinduism 22.1%, other 2.6% (2005 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 23.1% (male 104,771/female 99,981)
15-64 years: 70.2% (male 322,497/female 298,324)
65 years and over: 6.7% (2024 est.) (male 30,397/female 28,576)
2023 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 40.7
youth dependency ratio: 32.1
elderly dependency ratio: 8.6
potential support ratio: 11.1 (2021 est.)
Median age
total: 30.7 years (2024 est.)
male: 31.1 years
female: 30.3 years
comparison ranking: total 134
Population growth rate
0.95% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 98
Birth rate
15.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 106
Death rate
5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 158
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 92
Urbanization
urban population: 44.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 2.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
Major urban areas - population
203,000 THIMPHU (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
60 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 92
Infant mortality rate
total: 24.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 24.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 23.9 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 63
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 73.7 years (2024 est.)
male: 72.5 years
female: 75 years
comparison ranking: total population 147
Total fertility rate
1.76 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 147
Gross reproduction rate
0.86 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 99.5% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 99.8% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.)
Current health expenditure
4.4% of GDP (2020)
Physician density
0.5 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 90.8% of population
rural: 83.1% of population
total: 86.4% of population
unimproved: urban: 9.2% of population
rural: 16.9% of population
total: 13.6% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
6.4% (2016)
comparison ranking: 168
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 179
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
NA
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
62.8% (2023 est.)
Education expenditures
7% of GDP (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: 22
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 70.9%
male: 77.9%
female: 62.8% (2021)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2018)
Environment
Environment - current issues
soil erosion; limited access to potable water; wildlife conservation; industrial pollution; waste disposal
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Climate
varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Land use
agricultural land: 13.6% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 10.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 85.5% (2018 est.)
other: 0.9% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 44.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 2.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
Revenue from forest resources
1.89% of GDP (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 37
Revenue from coal
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 64
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 26.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 1.26 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 1.11 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 111,314 tons (2007 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 957 tons (2016 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.9% (2016 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 3 million cubic meters (2019 est.)
agricultural: 320 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
78 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form: Bhutan
local long form: Druk Gyalkhap
local short form: Druk Yul
etymology: named after the Bhotia, the ethnic Tibetans who migrated from Tibet to Bhutan; "Bod" is the Tibetan name for their land; the Bhutanese name "Druk Yul" means "Land of the Thunder Dragon"
Government type
constitutional monarchy
Capital
name: Thimphu
geographic coordinates: 27 28 N, 89 38 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the origins of the name are unclear; the traditional explanation, dating to the 14th century, is that thim means "dissolve" and phu denotes "high ground" to express the meaning of "dissolving high ground," in reference to a local deity that dissolved before a traveler's eyes, becoming a part of the rock on which the present city stands
Administrative divisions
20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Dagana, Gasa, Haa, Lhuentse, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatshel, Punakha, Samdrup Jongkhar, Samtse, Sarpang, Thimphu, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse, Trongsa, Tsirang, Wangdue Phodrang, Zhemgang
Independence
17 December 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king); 8 August 1949 (Treaty of Friendship with India maintains Bhutanese independence)
National holiday
National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
Legal system
civil law based on Buddhist religious law
Constitution
history: previous governing documents were various royal decrees; first constitution drafted November 2001 to March 2005, ratified 18 July 2008
amendments: proposed as a motion by simple majority vote in a joint session of Parliament; passage requires at least a three-fourths majority vote in a joint session of the next Parliament and assent by the king
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Bhutan
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Tshering TOBGAY (since 28 January 2024)
cabinet: Council of Ministers or Lhengye Zhungtshog members nominated by the monarch in consultation with the prime minister and approved by the National Assembly; members serve 5-year terms
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary but can be removed by a two-thirds vote of Parliament; leader of the majority party in Parliament is nominated as the prime minister, appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament (Chi Tshog)
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name: National Assembly (Tshogdu)
number of seats: 47 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 1/9/2024
parties elected and seats per party: People's Democratic Party (PDP) (30); Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) (17)
percentage of women in chamber: 4.3%
expected date of next election: January 2029
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name: National Council (Gyelyong Tshogde)
number of seats: 25 (20 directly elected; 5 appointed)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 4/20/2023
percentage of women in chamber: 12%
expected date of next election: April 2028
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
subordinate courts: High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
Political parties
Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT
Bhutan Tendrel Party or BTP
Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa or DTT
People's Democratic Party or PDP
United Party of Bhutan (Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa) or DNT
International organization participation
ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Phuntsho NORBU (since October 2022); note - also serving as the Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN
telephone: [1] (212) 682-2371
FAX: [1] (212) 661-0551
email address and website:
consulate.pmbny@mfa.gov.bt
https://www.mfa.gov.bt/pmbny/
consulate(s) general: 343 East, 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017
note - although Bhutan and the United States do not have diplomatic relations, the two countries established consular relations on 23 July 1986; the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Bhutan was established in New York with an officer from the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the United Nations holding dual accreditation as the Consul General with consular jurisdiction in the US
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: none; frequent informal contact is maintained via the US embassy in New Delhi (India) and Bhutan's Permanent Mission to the UN
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
National symbol(s)
thunder dragon known as Druk Gyalpo; national colors: orange, yellow
National anthem
name: "Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom)
lyrics/music: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI
note: adopted 1953
Economy
Economic overview
hydropower investments spurring economic development; Gross National Happiness economy; sharp poverty declines; low inflation; strong monetary and fiscal policies; stable currency; fairly resilient response to COVID-19; key economic and strategic relations with India; climate vulnerabilities
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$10.981 billion (2022 est.)
$10.437 billion (2021 est.)
$9.995 billion (2020 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 166
Real GDP growth rate
5.21% (2022 est.)
4.42% (2021 est.)
-10.22% (2020 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 43
Real GDP per capita
$14,100 (2022 est.)
$13,500 (2021 est.)
$13,000 (2020 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 126
GDP (official exchange rate)
$2.898 billion (2022 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.23% (2023 est.)
5.64% (2022 est.)
7.35% (2021 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 89
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 14.7% (2022 est.)
industry: 31.8% (2022 est.)
services: 51.2% (2022 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 143; industry 54; agriculture 58
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 57.8% (2022 est.)
government consumption: 21% (2022 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 55.1% (2022 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.7% (2022 est.)
exports of goods and services: 25.5% (2022 est.)
imports of goods and services: -60.1% (2022 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
milk, rice, root vegetables, potatoes, maize, oranges, areca nuts, chilies/peppers, pumpkins/squash, bison milk (2022)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism
Industrial production growth rate
5.6% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 40
Labor force
429,000 (2023 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 161
Unemployment rate
5.65% (2023 est.)
5.95% (2022 est.)
4.8% (2021 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 112
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 29.2% (2023 est.)
male: 25.1% (2023 est.)
female: 33.1% (2023 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 26
Population below poverty line
12.4% (2022 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
28.5 (2022 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 136
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3.6% (2022 est.)
highest 10%: 22.7% (2022 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
3.31% of GDP (2022 est.)
2.65% of GDP (2021 est.)
3.39% of GDP (2020 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $740.333 million (2020 est.)
expenditures: $591.697 million (2020 est.)
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
111.01% of GDP (2020 est.)
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 15
Taxes and other revenues
12.28% (of GDP) (2020 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 160
Current account balance
-$999.999 million (2023 est.)
-$805.723 million (2022 est.)
-$319.279 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 141
Exports
$815.05 million (2023 est.)
$791.342 million (2022 est.)
$739.514 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 187
Exports - partners
India 88%, Italy 5%, Nepal 2%, Colombia 2%, Singapore 1% (2022)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
iron alloys, dolomite, gypsum, cement, electricity (2022)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$1.754 billion (2023 est.)
$1.581 billion (2022 est.)
$1.027 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 181
Imports - partners
India 75%, China 12%, Indonesia 5%, Thailand 2%, Singapore 1% (2022)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
computers, refined petroleum, electrical machinery, coke, wood charcoal (2022)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$654.481 million (2023 est.)
$825.755 million (2022 est.)
$1.05 billion (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 152
Debt - external
$2.923 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 88
Exchange rates
ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
82.599 (2023 est.)
78.604 (2022 est.)
73.918 (2021 est.)
74.1 (2020 est.)
70.42 (2019 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 2.342 million kW (2022 est.)
consumption: 9.752 billion kWh (2022 est.)
exports: 6 billion kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 834.7 million kWh (2022 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 83.626 million kWh (2022 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 44; imports 84; consumption 104; installed generating capacity 118; exports 35
Electricity generation sources
hydroelectricity: 100% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Coal
production: 177,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
consumption: 325,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
exports: 100 metric tons (2022 est.)
imports: 148,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
1.206 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 728,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 478,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 170
Energy consumption per capita
60.788 million Btu/person (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: 79
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 20,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 173
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 742,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 95 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 169
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: the small land-locked Kingdom of Bhutan has only recently emerged from decades of isolation from the modern world; that, and its mountainous terrain, left the country far back in the field in terms of teledensity as well as access to the Internet; over the last decade, the country has undergone a significant transformation due to the opening of its borders, liberalization of its telecom sector, and the active support from the government towards increased competition in the mobile, broadband, and ISP segments; the relatively widespread availability of the mobile platform has caused an explosion in mobile broadband subscriber numbers, growing from zero to over 100% penetration in just ten years (between 2010 and 2019).; the onset of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020 caused the subscription rates to drop back a little; growth is projected to return in 2022 (along with the broader mobile market) as the overall economy recovers; the government opens up more to foreign investment, trade, and tourism; and network expansion continues – the recent (December 2021) launch of 5G services by both of the country’s mobile operators being particularly noteworthy (2022)
domestic: approximately 3 to 100 fixed-line and 100 mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people (2021)
international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
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; 5 private radio stations are currently broadcasting (2012)
Internet country code
.bt
Internet users
total: 670,800 (2021 est.)
percent of population: 86% (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total 162
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 3,189 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.4 (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 192
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 275,849 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 690,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
A5
Airports
4 (2024)
comparison ranking: 179
Heliports
8 (2024)
Roadways
total: 12,205 km (2017)
urban: 437 km
comparison ranking: total 131
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Royal Bhutan Army (RBA; includes Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan, or RBG, and an air wing); National Militia
Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs: Royal Bhutan Police (2024)
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 7-8,000 active personnel (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the Royal Bhutan Army is lightly armed; it has a small amount of heavy equipment, such as armored cars and helicopters, originating from India and Thailand (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription; militia training is compulsory for males aged 20-25, over a 3-year period (2023)
note: in 2021, the Royal Bhutan Army graduated from a year-long training course the first batch of 150 women to be allowed to serve in combat roles; previously, women were allowed to serve in medical and other non-combat roles
Military deployments
190 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2024)
Military - note
the Army is responsible for external threats but also has some internal security functions such as conducting counterinsurgency operations, guarding forests, and providing security for prominent persons; Bhutan relies on India for military training, arms supplies, and the country’s air defense (2024)
Space
Space agency/agencies
announced in 2018 that it intends to establish a space agency, but has not yet done so; has a Division of Telecom and Space (DoTS) under the GovTech Agency (2024)
Space program overview
has a small, recently established program focused on acquiring satellites and developing the capabilities to manufacture satellites; cooperates with India and the US (2024)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
