Bhutan
Country statistics · 1990–present
Bhutan at a Glance
Bhutan is home to 791,524 people as of 2024, with a population that is growing steadily. At a GDP per capita of $6,397, it is a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. Life expectancy at birth stands at 73.3 years, close to the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 791,524 as of 2024. With a birth rate of 12.5 and a death rate of 6.1 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at 6.5 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly 5,000 additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Bhutan is a small economy, with a total GDP that is projected at $5 billion (2029 IMF projection). At $6,397 per person, it is classified as a lower-middle-income economy — reflecting an economy in active development. Real GDP growth is projected at 7.2% in 2029, representing strong expansion. With an unemployment rate of 3.5% (2023), the labour market reflects a relatively tight labour market.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 73.3 years (2024), close to the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $162 (2023), representing very low per-capita healthcare spending, a common constraint in lower-income economies. The adult literacy rate stands at 64.9% (2022), reflecting literacy rates that remain a key development focus. 91.3% of the population use the internet (2024), indicating near-universal internet access. Access to safe drinking water reaches 65.6% of the population (2024), representing majority access to safe drinking water, though gaps remain.