BHUTAN  AT A GLANCE  
 

BASIC STATISTICS

 

Updated on March 25, 2005
 

 

This page provides information on Bhutan’s  Geographical Location, National Flag,  National Symbols, Socio-Economic Indicators including Population, Health, Education and Economy 

 

Location

 

Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas bordered by India in the south, east and west and by the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China in the north.  It has an area of 47,000 Sq. Km. between latitudes 26  45 0 North and 28  10 0 North and  between  longitudes 88  45 0 east and 92   10 0  east. At its longest east-west dimension, Bhutan stretches around 300 kilometres and it measures 170 kilometre at its maximum north-south dimension. Bhutan shares about 1075 km of land boundaries with its neighbours - China 470 km, India 605 km. It is  roughly the size of Switzerland. The sparsely populated Greater Himalayas, bounded to the north by the Tibetan plateau, reach heights of over 7,300 meters (23,950ft.), and extend southward losing height, to form the fertile valleys of the Lesser Himalayas divided by the Wang, Sunkosh, Trongsa and Manas Rivers. Monsoon influences promote dense forestation in this region and alpine growth at higher altitudes. The cultivated central uplands and Himalayan foothills support the majority of the population. In the south, the Daurs (the gates) Plain drops sharply away from the Himalayas into the large tracts of semi-tropical forest, savannah grassland and bamboo jungles.

 

National Flag and  Symbols

 

The rectangular National Flag of Bhutan is divided diagonally and depicts a white dragon (druk) across the middle. The upper part of the flag is yellow, representing the secular power of the king, while the lower part is orange, symbolizing the Buddhist religion.

 

The National Emblem, contained in a circle, is composed of a double diamond-thunderbolt (dorji) placed above a lotus, surmounted by a jewel and framed be two dragons. The thunderbolt represents the harmony between secular and religious power. The lotus symbolizes purity; the jewel expresses sovereign power; and the two dragons, male and female, stand for the name of the country which they proclaim with their great voice, the thunder.

 

The national flower is the blue poppy, found in the high altitudes.

The national tree is the cypress, which is often associated with religious places.

The national bird is the raven, which adorns the royal crown. It represents the deity Gonpo Jarodonchen, one of the most important guardian deities of Bhutan.

The national animal is the takin, an extremely rare bovid of the ovine-caprine family. Found in heards in the very high altitudes (13,000 ft and over), living on a diet of bamboo. 

 
 

ADMINISTRATIVE

 

Local name of the country:         Druk-yul, Land of the dragon

Form of Government:               Hereditary  monarchy

Area:                                      Bhutan had originally 46,500 sq km. land area. This area  was mentioned

                                              in all text books upto 1990. But now government has reduced it to

                                              38,394sq km. or 14,812 sq miles 

Land Boundaries:                    1075 km: China 470 km, India 605 km

Population:                             887,693 in 2004 (752,693 inside Bhutan and  add 135,000 refugees

                                              in  Nepal and India)

Population growth rate:           3.1 percent per year

Capital:                                  Thimphu

Number of Districts :                20

Block ( Geog):                         201

Agriculture land:                      7.7 % of the total land

Currency :                               Ngultrum at par with Indian Rupees

Languages:                           National language:                  Dzongkha. Tshanglakha, Lhotsamkha ( Nepali)  and

                                                                                                    Khenkha are some of the other languages. English is also widely spoken 

           spoken in spoken    in                                                 in government, business, towns and cities.

Political Parties:                      No Legal Political parties or human rights organizations inside Bhutan

 

 
 

SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS

 

 

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX

 

                                                                                    1984          1994            2001              2002-3

 

HDI from the global HDR)[1].                                             -                0.338          0.483 (98)       -

Country rank according to HDI (global)                              -               155/175        142/174          -

 

POPULATION

 

                                    1984     1994       1998      1999           2000            2001        2002          2003       2004

Total Population [2]         452,000  564,000  636,499  657,548[3]   677,932[4]   698,950[5]  716,423[6]   734,335  752,693   

Population growth [7]             -            -          3.1%     3.1%            3.1%           2.5% [8]     2.5%     2.5%

Age Composition % [9]

    0-14                                   -            -             -             -               -                    42.1             -

    15-64                                 -            -             -             -               -                     53.7            -

    65+                                    -            -             -             -               -                     4.3             -

Urban population (%) [10]          -            -             -             -               -                    21.0            -

Rural population (%) [11]           -            -             -             -               -                    79.0            -

Population density [12]              -            -             -             -               -                    14.1            -

  

HEALTH

 

                                                                                      1984        1994            2001              2002-3

 

Life expectancy at birth (years)[13]                                     47.5        66.1              66.1 [a]          -

      Life expectancy males [14]                                          45.8         66.0             66.0 [a]          -

      Life expectancy females [15]                                        49.1        66.2              66.2 [a]          -

Contraceptive prevalence rate [16]                                        -            18.8%           30.7%            -

Births attended by skilled health personnel [17]                     -            10.9%           23.7%            -

Infant mortality rate (IMR) per 1,000 live births [18]               102.8       70.7              60.5               -

Maternal mortality rate (MMR) per 100,000 live births [19]     770          380              255                 -

Under 5 mortality rate (U5MR) per 1,000 live births[20]         162.4       96.9              84.0               -

Under 5 malnutrition (stunting) [21]                                      -             56% (89)       40% (00)         -

Towns and gewogs reporting food insecurity [22]                  -              -                  28%[b]            -

Population access to safe drinking water [23]                      -             45%             77.8%              -

Access to safe sanitation (Pit latrines) [24]                         -             -                   88%                -

HIV prevalence (detected cases)                                       -             3 [25]             25 [26]             42[27]

Hospitals [28]                                                                   -             -                   29                    -

Basic Health Units [29]                                                     -             -                   160                   -

Doctors [30]                                                                    -             98 (98)           103 ( 99)           -

Population per doctor [31]                                                   -          6,510 (98)       6,384 (99)         -

 

EDUCATION

 

                                                                                          1984                1994                  2001

Adult literacy rate [32]                                                            23%                 54%                 [54%] [b]

Female literacy rate [33]                                                         -                       -                      < 20%

Net primary enrolment rate [34]                                               41.7% (91)        44.6% (95)        52.9% (98)

      Female primary enrolment rate (net) [35]                                    34.7%               37.7%               47.2%

      Male primary enrolment rate (net) [36]                                         48.5%               51.3%               58.4%

Gross primary enrolment rate [37]                                                         55.0% (91)        66.6% (95)         71.9% (98)

      Female primary enrolment rate (gross) [38]                                41.1%               54.2%               61.5%

      Male primary enrolment rate (gross) [39]                                    68.6%               78.9%                82.1%

Pupils starting grade 1 who reach grade 5 [40]                                  -                       73% (91)            86% (98)

 

 

LAND/INFRASTRUCTURE

 

                                                                                       1984            1994             2001

Number of villages with electricity [41]                                              -                  95 (98)         552

Length of roads (km) [42]                                                                      1,755 (85)      -                 3,746

Number of telephone connections [43]                                             1,880 (85)      -                 15,496

Proportion of land covered by forest [44]                                           -                   72.5%         72.5%

Proportion of land used for agriculture [45]                                       8.8% (83)      7.7%            7.7% (7,63,156 acres)

Area of protected land [46]                                                                       -                 23% (90)      26% (02)

 

 

ECONOMIC DATA

 

                                                                                             1984            1994          2001              2002-3

Income Data

 

Real GDP per capita (PPP$) [47]                                              901             1,338          1,534 (98)       -

Average GDP growth (1980 prices) [48]                                    7.0%             6.4%          5.7%              7.0% [49]

Per capita GDP US$ [50]                                                         -                   -                 -                     758

 

Per-capita GNP US$ [51]                                                         -                   -                 -                     673

Share of agriculture, forestry and logging to GDP [52]                 50.4%          42.0%         35.9%             -              

Share of manufacturing, mining and construction to GDP [53]     19.9%           22.5%         22.7%             -

Share of hydropower to GDP [54]                                             0.29%           7.04%         11.9%             -

Population below lower poverty line

      (612.1 Nu. per capita per month) [55]                                  -                  -                 25.3%              -

Population below upper poverty line

      (748.1 Nu. per capita per month)[56]                                   -                   -                 36.3%            -  

Consumer price index (change to previous year) [57]                  8.0%            8.1%          4.4%                -

                                                                                             

 

Fiscal Data

 

                                                                                    1984      1994                2001                   2002-3

 

Domestic Revenue (fiscal years, million US$) [58]             19.01     50.18 (93/94)     105.71 [59]            -

Fiscal Deficit/Surplus (fiscal years, million US$) [60]          +2.42    -12.63 (93/94)   -17.52                   -

Inflation rate [61]                                                              -             -                         -                     2.7%

 

 

External Sector

 

                                                                  1984      1994            1998           1999          2000        2002-3

Export/Import [62]

      Export (million US$)                                -              -               111.30         104.70      114.40         -

      Import (million US$)                                 -              -               136.10        162.30       185.20        -

      Balance of trade  (million US$)                  -             -               -24.80          -57.60       -70.80         -

Foreign exchange reserves (million US$)         39.6 [63]   106.9 [64]   216.7 [65]      259.00[66]  292.60[67]   355.00 [68]

Exchange rate Nu per US$, fiscal year           10.31[69]    31.37 [70]    38.4 [71]      42.60[72]    43.64 [73]     45.40 [74]

Debt service ratio

(Principal and interest relative to exports) [75]    -             20.3%          -                  -             4.6%          -

Debt to GDP ratio [76]                                     -             -                  -                  -             -                   58%   

Total outstanding external debt

(million US$) [77]                                            -             139.00         -                   -             310.20 (02)   331.70 [78]

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

                                                                                            1984         1994      2001       2002-3

 

Tala Hydro project’s total  cost  in US $ millions [79]                   -              -            -             881.0

 

Budget for 2003-2004  in US $ millions [80]                                 -             -            -             254.0

Graduates, completing bachelor degree in 2003 [81]                    -              -            -             400

Number of Women members in National Assembly [82]               -              -            -             14                

Percentage of Women in the government services [83]                -              -            -             19

Internet users in Bhutan [84]                                                     -              -            -             1,800

Total Working population in 2001 85]                                          -              -           227,698   -

Foreign workers in 2001                                                           -              -             50,000   -

Notes

 

a.  Figure remains same  since 1994.

b.  63 out of 224 towns and gewogs ( villages).

 

Authenticity: The above  figures have been compiled  form various sources of the  Royal Government of Bhutan and some  UN agencies, as on September 01, 2003. These have not been verified by any  independent organizations or  institutions. Bhutannewsonline cannot verify the accuracy of these figures.

 

Population Figures – According to the CSO, the  population figure for 2000 was 677,932. This figure does not include the Bhutanese refugee population. There are an estimated 135,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal and India.The population figure in 2004 was about 887,693 including the refugees (752,693 inside Bhutan and  add 135,000 refugees in Nepal and India). Out of  135,000 around 110,000 are living in the UNHCR managed refugee camps in eastern Nepal. Around 25,000 are reportedly living in India. A significant discrepancy exists between the population reported by various international agencies and those provided by the Royal Government of Bhutan. The estimates of  international agencies  place Bhutan’s population at 2.1 million, based on projections of the Royal Government’s estimate of 1.035 million reported to the UN in 1969. However, now the Government agencies project a current population of slightly less than 700.000.   

**********


 

[1]  Human Development Report 1997 (for 1994 figures) & 2000 (for 1998 figures).

[2]  National Human Development Report 2000, Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2000, page 66. Also see Kuenselonline , October 11 2002. Kuenselonline  is a government owned web-based news paper. This figure does not include the Bhutanese refugee population. There are an estimated 135,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal and India since 1991. Of which 110,000 are living in the UNHCR managed camps in eastern Nepal and another 25,000 are reportedly  living in India.  The  World Bank placed Bhutan’s population at 781,800 for 1999.

[3] Bhutan At A Glance, 2000, Central Statistical Organization, Planning Commission Secretariat, Royal Government of Bhutan. It does not include refugee population in Nepal and India.

[4] Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001. It does not include refugee population in Nepal and India..

[5] Bhutan’s population growth rate was 3.1 % according to National Human Development Report 2000, Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2000, page number 12.  3.1 %  growth added to the population figure of  2000 to arrive at 2001 and 2002 population figures. It does not include refugee population in Nepal and India.

[6] Bhutan’s population growth rate was 3.1 % according to National Human Development Report 2000, Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2000, page number 12.  3.1 %  growth added to the population figure of  2000 to arrive at 2001,  3.1% to 2001 population added  for 2002 and 3.1% to 2002 added for 2003 population figures. It does not include refugee population in Nepal and India.

[7]  National Health Survey 1994 & 2000.and Statisctial Yearbook 1994 & 2000, Central Statistical Office.

[8]  Bhutan’s Prime minister’s annual government report presented to the national Assembly on July 03, 2003. Kuenselonline  July 04, 2003

[9] Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001.

[10] Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001.

[11] Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001.

[12] Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001.

[13]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu

[14]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu

[15]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu

[16]  National Health Survey 1994 & 2000.  

[17]  National Health Survey 1994 & 2000.

[18]  National Health Survey 1994 & 2000. 

[19]  National Health Survey 1994 & 2000. 

[20]  National Health Survey 1994 & 2000.    

[21]  Millennium Development Goal Report Bhutan 2002

[22]  Poverty Assessment and Analysis Report 2000, PCS, Thimphu 2000.

[23]  National Health Survey 1994 & 2000. 

[24]  National Health Survey 1994 & 2000. 

[25]  Education for all, Ministry of Health and Education, Nov 1999, page 8.

[26]  Education for all, Ministry of Health and Education, Nov 1999, page 8.

[27]  Kuenselonline, July 28, 2003.

[28]  Kuenselonline, May 05, 2002.

[29]  Kuenselonline, May 05, 2002.

[30]  Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001.

[31]  Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001.

[32]  Education for all, Ministry of Health and Education, Nov 1999, page 8.

[33]  Ninth Five Year Plan, p. 73.

[34]  Education Statistics, 1998, Department of Education. The figures are based on an assumed population of 600.000 in1996, and population growth rates of 3.1% from 1991 until 1998.

[35]  Education Statistics, 1998, Department of Education. The figures are based on an assumed population of 600.000 in1996, and population growth rates of 3.1% from 1991 until 1998.

[36]  Education Statistics, 1998, Department of Education. The figures are based on an assumed population of 600.000 in1996, and population growth rates of 3.1% from 1991 until 1998.

[37]  Education Statistics, 1998, Department of Education. The figures are based on an assumed population of 600.000 in1996, and population growth rates of 3.1% from 1991 until 1998.

[38]  Education Statistics, 1998, Department of Education. The figures are based on an assumed population of 600.000 in1996, and population growth rates of 3.1% from 1991 until 1998.

[39]  Education Statistics, 1998, Department of Education. The figures are based on an assumed population of 600.000 in1996, and population growth rates of 3.1% from 1991 until 1998.

[40]  Millennium Development Goal Report Bhutan 2002

[41]  Comparative Socio-Economic Indicators for Bhutan, CSO, Thimphu, February 2002.

[42]  Comparative Socio-Economic Indicators for Bhutan, CSO, Thimphu, February 2002.

[43]  Comparative Socio-Economic Indicators for Bhutan, CSO, Thimphu, February 2002.

[44]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu

[45]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[46]  Millennium Development Goal Report Bhutan 2002

[47]  National Human Development Report 2000, PCS, Thimphu 2000.

[48]  Comparative Socio-Economic Indicators for Bhutan, CSO, Thimphu, February 2002.

[49]  Kuenselonline July 04, 2003

[50] Kuenselonline 11 October, 2003.

[51] Kuenselonline 11 October, 2003.

[52]  Comparative Socio-Economic Indicators for Bhutan, CSO, Thimphu, February 2002.

[53]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[54]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[55]  Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2000 (Pilot), CSO, Thimphu 2001. The survey is only a pilot study, not taking into account seasonal changes. Results have therefore to be treated as preliminary.

[56]  Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2000 (Pilot), CSO, Thimphu 2001. The survey is only a pilot study, not taking into account seasonal changes. Results have therefore to be treated as preliminary.

[57]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[58]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[59]  Kuenselonline July 04, 2003. Domestic revenue target was Nu 5,100 million  Or US $ 112 million. It will cover about 45.2 percent of the total  budget of 2002-2003.

[60]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[61]  Kuenselonline July 04, 2003.

[62]  Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001.

[63]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu

[64]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu

[65]  Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001and Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[66]  Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001and Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[67]  Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001and Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[68]  Kuenselonline July 04, 2003  Finance Minister’s speech to National Assembly

[69]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[70]  Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[71]  Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001and Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[72]  Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001and Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[73]  Bhutan At A Glance, 2001 Planning Commission Secretariat, Thimphu 2001and Statistical Yearbooks (of different years), CSO, Thimphu.

[74]  Kuenselonline August 29, 2003.. One US $ was Nu. 42.40 on August 29, 2003

[75]  Royal Monitory Authority (RMA) Annual Report 2001/02, RMA Key Economic Indicators Dec 2001 & Sep 2002.

[76]  Kuenselonline July 04, 2003. Finance Minister’s speech to National Assembly

[77]  Royal Monitory Authority (RMA) Annual Report 2001/02, RMA Key Economic Indicators Dec 2001 & Sep 2002.

[78]  Kuenselonline July 04, 2003. Finance Minister’s speech to National Assembly

[79]  Kuenselonline July 04, 2003.  The estimated cost was Nu 40,000 million or US $ 881 million @ 45.40. India has  provided a 60 % grants and 40 % loan at 9 % interest.

[80]  Kuenselonline July 04, 2003.  Budget for 2003-2004  was  Nu 11,537.7 million or US $ 254 millions

[81]  Kuenselonline,  August 16, 2003. 400 Bhutanese students completed their bachelor degrees   in 23 disciplines including medical, technical and general graduates from within and outside the country.  The majority of graduates, 241, are from India and 133 are from Sherubtse college. The rest are from Australia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, the USA, the UK and Bangladesh. There are 275 men and 125 women graduates

[82]  Kuenselonline,  August 22, 2003. There are 14 women members, against a total of 151 members  in the national Assembly ( Parliament)

[83]  Hinduonline August 06, 2003. Women comprise 19 per cent of the entire civil services at all levels and only two members of the national judiciary are women., according to a  UNIFEM report on "Progress of South Asian Women''

[84]  Kuenselonline  August 22, 2003. Druknet, Bhutan’s only ISP started its service in 1999 and has 1,800 dial-up customers and 23 lease line customers.

85]   Kuensel February 07, 2004