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Bhutan
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BASIC FACTS


Capital
Thimphu

Language
Dzongkha is the official language. Nepali and dialects are also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Area size
47000 sq. km

Area comparison
Slightly larger than Denmark

Population
2009 0.7 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007 0.7 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2005 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2004 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2003 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2002 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2001 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2000 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
1.0 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)


PEOPLE

Language
Dzongkha is the official language. Nepali and dialects are also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Population
2009 0.7 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007 0.7 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2005 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2004 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2003 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2002 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2001 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2000 0.6 million U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
1.0 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)

Ethnic groups
The Bhutias, Drukpas and Tibetans make up 50 percent of the population, and Nepalis (known as Lhotsampas) 35 percent. There are also Lepchas, indigenous people and Santal, descended from Indian immigrants.
Source: NI World Guide

Religion
Buddhist 70 percent, Hindu 25 percent, Muslim 5 percent, others 1 percent
Source: NI World Guide

Percentage urban population
2007 11.8 percent U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005
2006 11.4 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2005 11.1 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2004 10.8 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2003 10.5 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2002 10.2 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2001 9.9 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2000 9.6 percent U.N. DESA (2005)

Year women granted right to vote
1953
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.

Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
No data available (2007)

Percentage of population under 15
2005 33.0 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 38.9 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 39.5 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 41.8 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 42.3 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 42.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002


USEFUL INFORMATION

Time zone
GMT +6

Climate description
Hot and humid in the southern region; cool, temperate in the inner Himalayas; severe alpine climate in the high northern region with substantial variation in rainfall throughout the country.

Currency
Ngultrum

Telephone dialling code
(+) 975

Driving (left/right)
Left


STANDARD OF LIVING

Average life expectancy
2005 64.7 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 63.4 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 62.9 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 63.2 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 62.5 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 62.0 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - male
2005 63.1 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 62.2 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 61.7 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 61.8 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 61.3 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 60.8 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - female
2005 66.5 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 64.6 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 64.2 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 64.3 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 63.8 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 63.2 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Infant mortality
2007 56 per 1,000 live births U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006 63 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005 65 per 1,000 live births U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007
2004 67 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003 70 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 74 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 74 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 77 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
2007 84 per 1,000 live births U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006 70 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005 75 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
2004 80 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2000 100 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Births attended by skilled personnel
1997-2005 37 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1996-2004 37 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1995-2003 24 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002 24 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001 No data available percent
1995-2000 No data available percent

Maternal mortality
2005 440 per 100,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2000 420 per 100,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2006

Human development index (HDI rank)
2005 133 UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 135 UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 134 UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 134 UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 136 UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 140 UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
2000-2007 19 percent U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2000-2006 19 percent UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
1996-2005 19 percent UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
1996-2004 19 percent UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
1995-2003 19 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002 19 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001 19 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000 19 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of undernourished population
No data available percent

Population with access to improved water
2006 81 percent UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004 62 percent UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006
2002 62 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000 62 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Population with access to improved sanitation
2006 52 percent UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004 70 percent UNICEF and WHO 2006
2002 70 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005

Literacy - average
2004 47.0 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 47.0 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 No data available percent
2001 No data available percent
2000 No data available percent

Literacy - male
No data available percent

Literacy - female
No data available percent

Landlines telephones
2008 40 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2007 44 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2006 48 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2005 51 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2004 48 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2003 38 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2002 33 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2001 30 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2000 25 per 1,000 people ITU 2009

Cellular telephone subscribers
2008 366 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2007 221 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2006 124 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2005 55 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2004 30 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2003 4 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2002 No data available per 1,000 people
2001 No data available per 1,000 people
2000 No data available per 1,000 people

Internet users
2008 No data available per 1,000 people
2007 No data available per 1,000 people
2006 No data available per 1,000 people
2005 12 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2004 10 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2003 7 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2002 5 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2001 3 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2000 1 per 1,000 people ITU 2009

Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)
2008 45 (joint) Transparency International 2008
2007 46 (joint) Transparency International 2007
2006 32 (joint) Transparency International

Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
No (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
No (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report


ECONOMY & AID

Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day
No data available percent

GNI per capita, Atlas method
2007 1770 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006 1420 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005 1270 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004 1110 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003 980 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002 890 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001 840 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000 800 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.

GDP
2007 1.1 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006 0.9 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005 0.8 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004 0.7 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003 0.6 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002 0.5 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001 0.5 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000 0.4 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Annual GDP growth
2006 8.5 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2005 7.0 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2004 6.8 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2003 7.2 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2002 10.9 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2001 6.8 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2000 7.2 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008

Annual inflation
2007 -0.3 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006 4.4 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005 5.8 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004 2.9 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003 3.7 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002 4.1 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001 6.6 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000 2.3 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
No data available

Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
No data available


HEALTH

Physicians
2000-2004 5 per 100,000 people UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004 5 per 100,000 people UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003 5 per 100,000 people UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2002 16 per 100,000 people UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
2007 0.1 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2006 0.1 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2005 0.1 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2004 <0.1 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2003 No data available percent

Malaria
Risk throughout the year in the southern belt of the country: Chhukha, Samchi, Samdrup, Jonkhar, Geylegphug and Shemgang. P. falciparum resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO

TB cases
2007 246 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2006 258 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2005 270 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2004 283 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2003 296 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2002 310 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2001 325 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2000 340 per 100,000 people WHO 2009


CONFLICT & MIGRATION

Number of refugees originating here
2008 102465 UNHCR
2007 108098 UNHCR
2006 108073 Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2005 106537 UNHCR
2004 105255 UNHCR
2003 103978 UNHCR
2002 112263 UNHCR
2001 110780 UNHCR
2000 108897 UNHCR

Number of refugees residing here
No data available

Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
No data available

Landmine casualties per year
2004 0 Landmine Monitor Report 2005
2003 0 Landmine Monitor Report 2004

Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (2005 )
Source: Landmine Monitor Report

Percentage of GDP spent on military
No data available percent

Percentage of GDP spent on education
2002-2005 No data available percent
2002-2004 No data available percent
2000-2002 5.2 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1999-2001 5.2 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1998-2000 5.2 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage of GDP spent on health
2004 3.0 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2003-2004 2.6 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2002 4.1 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2001 3.6 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2000 3.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003


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Last updated:Mon Nov 16 10:46:10 2009