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NAVIGATION
Kingdom of Bhutan
GOVERNMENT
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form: Bhutan |
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Government type:
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monarchy; special treaty relationship with India |
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Capital:
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Thimphu |
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Administrative divisions:
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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 |
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Independence:
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8 August 1949 (from India) |
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National holiday:
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National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) |
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Constitution:
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no written constitution or bill of rights; note - Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the National Assembly; on 7 July 1998, a Royal edict was ratified giving the National Assembly additional powers |
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Legal system:
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based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Suffrage:
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each family has one vote in village-level elections |
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Executive branch:
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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 Khandu WANGCHUK (since 8 August 2001) 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 |
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Legislative branch:
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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)
elections: last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: NA |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch) |
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Political parties and leaders:
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no legal parties |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled) |
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International organization participation:
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AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer) |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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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 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) |
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Flag description:
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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
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Economy - overview:
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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. 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 Bhutanese Government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs in Bhutan 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. Major hydroelectric projects will lead expansion of GDP in 2002 by an estimated 6%. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (2001 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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6% (2000 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2001 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 45%
industry: 20% services: 35% (2001 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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7% (2000 est.) |
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Labor force:
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NA
note: massive lack of skilled labor |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2% |
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Unemployment rate:
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NA% |
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Budget:
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revenues: $146 million
expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 est.) note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures |
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Industries:
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cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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9.3% (1996 est.) |
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Electricity - production:
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1.876 billion kWh (2000) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel: 0%
hydro: 100% other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0% |
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Electricity - consumption:
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380.68 million kWh (2000) |
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Electricity - exports:
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1.385 billion kWh (2000) |
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Electricity - imports:
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21 million kWh (2000) |
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Agriculture - products:
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rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs |
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Exports:
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$154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.) |
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Exports - commodities:
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electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices |
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Exports - partners:
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India 94%, Bangladesh |
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Imports:
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$196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.) |
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Imports - commodities:
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fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice |
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Imports - partners:
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India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US |
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Debt - external:
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$245 million (1998) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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substantial aid from India and other nations |
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Currency:
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ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR) |
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Currency code:
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BTN; INR |
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Exchange rates:
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ngultrum per US dollar - 48.336 (January 2002), 47.186 (2001), 44.942 (2000), 43.055 (1999), 41.259 (1998), 36.313 (1997); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee which is also legal tender |
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Fiscal year:
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1 July - 30 June |