Bhutan

Geography

Economics

Demographics

Military

Politics

Bhutan is a landlocked state with borders to larger states. It borders China to the north and the remaining borders of Bhutan are surrounded by India. Its border with China is characterized by some of the largest mountains in the world which can reach heights of over seven kilometers or 24,000 feet. Its southern part is also very mountainous with height differences between one and a half kilometers or 5000 feet and 2.7 kilometers or 9,000 feet.

Known for its colorful flags, astonishing nature as well as being a home to one of the largest Buddhist populations, Bhutan has much to offer. After several centuries of feudal competition within the region, Bhutan was unified in 1907. Even though the British have had a large influence on the region, Bhutan was never formally colonized. Its official name is the kingdom of Bhutan. However, the King of Bhutan has receded its absolute power around 2005 and has given way to a democratic system.

Its total surface area is around 38,500 square kilometers or 14,900 square miles which ranks it as the 133rd largest state in the world with Guinea-Bissau being slightly smaller and Switzerland being slightly larger.

Surface

Surface (in square kilometers)

Surface (in square miles)

Freshwater is mainly provided by melting snow from the Himalaya which creates large rivers throughout Bhutan.

Surface (water)

Water Surface (in square kilometers)

Water Surface (in square miles)

Share of water (%)

It is ranked as the 147th warmest state in the world with an average temperature of 11.5 degrees Celsius or 52.7 degrees Fahrenheit. However, temperatures fluctuate heavily between the northern and more mountainous parts in the southern less mountainous parts.

Temperature

During the summer months, the average temperature is around 20.9 degrees Celsius or 69.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Average temperature (in Celcius)

Average temperature (in Farenheit)

Average high temperature (in Celcius)

Average high temperature (in Farenheit)

During the winter, its average lowest temperature is around 10.2 degrees Celsius or 50.3 degrees Fahrenheit.

Average low temperature (in Celcius)

Average low temperature (in Farenheit)

Rainfall

Most of the rainfall occurs during the summer when monsoons sweep across the region that falls down as rain or snowfall in the mountains of Bhutan. The rainy season is between June and September. On average, Bhutan experiences around 109 centimeters or 43 inches of rainfall which makes it the 88th state with the largest rainfall in the world.

Average rainfall (mm)

Average rainfall (inch)

Distance to other capitals (kilometers)

Distance to other capitals (miles)

Proximity

The capital of Bhutan, Thimphu, is situated in the western part and is home to approximately 100,000 people. The capital that is closest located to Thimphu is Kathmandu Nepal with a distance of 395 kilometers or 245 miles. The capital that is furthest removed from Thimphu is Santiago, Chile, with a distance of 18,000 kilometers or 11,200 miles.

The Bhutanese economy is relatively underdeveloped with the majority of its economy focusing on agriculture. It is also heavily linked with the Indian economy which represents around 85 percent of its total imports and exports. Due to the mountainous terrain, the large areas of Bhutan are hard to reach which makes them also hard to develop. However, its geographical situation creates large opportunities to further develop its hydropower sector which is currently exported to India.

Economic organizations

Gross Domestic Product (US$)

Gross Domestic Product per capita

Amount of memberships (economic organizations)

Absolute earnings for every 1$

Relative earnings

GDP in PPP per capita (in US$)

GDP in PPP per capita

Gross Domestic product (in million US$)

GDP per capita (in US$)

In total, Bhutan is a member of 11 international economic organizations which ranks it as the 118th most economically interconnected state in the world. It is a member of the following organizations:

Alliance for Financial Inclusion
Asian Development Bank
International Monetary Fund
World Bank Group
World Customs Organization
World Trade Organization

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
International Bamboo and Rattan Organization
International Renewable Energy Agency
International Solar Alliance
Group of 77

Its GDP is around US$2.5 billion which makes it the 168th highest in the world.

Its GDP per capita is also relatively low with around US$3255 per capita. This ranks Bhutan as the 126th highest GDP per capita in the world

The figure below displays the average amount that inhabitant of other states earn for every 1$ that an average Bhutani citizen makes.

Its GDP per square kilometer amounts to approximately US$661 or US$1713 per square mile. This ranks Bhutan as the 160th highest GDP per surface area in the world.

Surface GDP

GDP per square kilometer (in US$)

GDP per square mile(in US$)

Relative GDP in PPP

The purchasing power parity of the Bhutanese citizens is around US$11,038. This ranks the purchasing power of the Bhutanese citizens as the 117th highest in the world.

The graph on the left displays the purchasing power parity of the rest of the world in relation to the purchasing power of 1$ in Bhutan.

The ethnic groups within Bhutan are largely divided up into three distinct groups. These are the Bhutia, which represent the largest ethnic group with the Nepalese, and the Sharchop representing the remaining majority of the population. Sharchhopka and Dzongkha are recognized as the official languages of Bhutan. These are spoken by a slight majority of the total population which has a total size of 784,000 people.

Population

Population density

Bhutan has also one of the lowest population densities in the world. With around 20 people per square kilometer or 52 people per square mile it is ranked as the 163rd most densely populated state in the world.

Emigration

As a result of government stimulated emigration of the Nepalese, the majority of emigrants have returned to neighboring Nepal. Other emigration destinations are mainly India and are economically related. In total, around 7.8 percent of the Bhutanese population has emigrated which corresponds to roughly 65,000 people or 0.025 percent of total global emigration

Immigration

Around 5.9 percent of the Bhutanese population, or around 49,000 people have immigrated to Bhutan. Immigration is relatively heavy restricted with only the allowance of refugees as well as people who have resided within Bhutan for more than 15 years.

Literacy

Before the end of the 20th century, the literacy rate in Bhutan was estimated to be around 20 percent. In recent years, the Bhutanese government has invested heavily in education. This has increased the literacy rate to around 65 percent which unfortunately ranks Bhutan among the most illiterate people in the worlds with a rank of 169.

Health

Around 90 percent of the Bhutanese population has access to healthcare. Due to healthcare investments over the last 50 years, life expectancy has doubled from 36 years to 72.7 years on average. A large reason for this increase is the improvement of drinking water which is available for more than 80 percent of the population. On average, women reach the age of 73.3 years and men around 72.3 years. This ranks the Bhutanese life expectancy as the 118th highest in the world.

Population density (in km2)

Population density (in mi2)

Religion

Considering religion, Bhutan is ranked as the 57th most multi religious state in the world. The government provides freedom of religion and there have been few reports of discrimination or violence related to religion.

Around one percent of Bhutanese citizens adhere to the Christian faith which ranks it as the 135th most Christian state in the world.

Christianity (share of the total population)

Islam (share of the total population)

With around 0.2 percent of the population adhering to Islam, less than 4000 Muslims resides within Bhutan which ranks it as the 144th most Islamic state in the world.

Around 74.7 percent of the population adheres to Buddhism. This is the largest religion within Bhutan and is considered the state religion.

Buddhism (share of the total population)

Hinduism is represented by around 15 percent of the population and several temples exist throughout its the southern border that with India.

Hinduism (share of the total population)

Judaism (share of the total population)

There are no known Jewish populations living within Bhutan. However, Israel has established diplomatic relations with Bhutan.

Other religions (share of the total population)

One of the largest other religions is called Bon which is represented by around 1.3 percent of the Bhutanese population. This religion, and Buddhism have focuses on worshiping nature. It has been partially incorporated with the Buddhist religion as its rituals coincides with the Buddhist festivals.

Non-religious (share of the total population)

It is estimated that around 0.03 percent of the Bhutanese population do not adhere to any religion.

Military spending (in % of GDP)

Military spending

In total, Bhutan spends around US$19 million on its military which is around 0.73 percent of its total GDP and ranks Bhutan as the 163rd most funded militaries in the world.

Bhutan has two military divisions which are the Armed Forces of Bhutan and the Royal Bhutan Army. Bhutan does not have a Navy due to the fact that it is a landlocked state, however it also doesn’t posess an Air Force. Air Defense is provided by India which supplies and trains the Bhutanese military.

Military membership

Bhutan is a member of three international military organizations which ranks it as the 147th most militarily interconnected state in the world. It is a member of the following organizations:

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Non-Aligned Movement

Military membership

International wars

Since its existence, Bhutan has partaken in one international war. This was the Bhutan War 1864-1865

Number of international wars fought

Military spending (in US$ million)

Membership (international political organizations)

in total, Bhutan is a member of seven international political organizations. This ranks Bhutan as one of the least politically interconnected state in the world with a rank of 183. It is a member of the following international political organizations:

Member state of the United Nations
International Labour Organization

Asia Cooperation Dialogue

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
Colombo Plan
Interpol
Association of World Election Bodies
World Organization for Animal Health

Political Membership

Democracy/dictatorship rating

Bhutan is ranked as the 67th most democratic state in the world. This is due to the fact that it has been a monarchy until 2007. After the transition towards a constitutional monarchy, Bhutan has been slowly evolving into a full democracy with the last of its governmental institutions being elected in 2011.

Democracy/Dictatorship

The politics of Bhutan is characterized by a constitutional monarchy with the king as the head of state and the Prime Minister as head of government. The democratic transition only took place in 2008 when a new constitution was drafted which gave way to governmental institutions and the legal framework for a democratic multiparty system.