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Bhutan Index
Size, Structure, and Settlement Patterns
Figure 15. Bhutan: Population Distribution by Age and Sex, 1988
Source: Based on information from Bhutan, Planning Commission, Central Statistical
Office, Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan, 1989, Thimphu, May 1990, 2.
When Bhutan's first national census was conducted in
1969, the
population officially stood at 930,614 persons. Before
1969
population estimates had ranged between 300,000 and
800,000 people.
The 1969 census has been criticized as inaccurate. By the
time the
1980 census was held, the population reportedly had
increased to
approximately 1,165,000 persons (see
table 23, Appendix).
The
results of the 1988 census had not been released as of
1991, but
preliminary government projections in 1988 set the total
population
at 1,375,400 persons, whereas UN estimates stood at
1,451,000
people in 1988. Other foreign projections put the
population at
1,598,216 persons in July 1991. It is likely, however,
that
Bhutan's real population was less than 1 million and
probably as
little as 600,000 in 1990. Moreover, the government itself
began to
use the figure of "about 600,000 citizens" in late 1990.
The annual growth rate in 1990 was 2 percent. Although
the wide
variation in population size makes all projections flawed,
experts
believe that the population growth rate is valid. The
birth rate
was 37 per 1,000, and the death rate was 17 per 1,000. In
1988 UN
experts had estimated Bhutan would have a population of
1.9 million
by 2000 and 3 million by 2025. The average annual
population growth
rate was estimated at 1.9 percent during the period from
1965 to
1970 and 1.8 percent during the period 1980 to 1985. Rates
of
change were projected to increase to 2.1 percent by 1990
and 2.3
percent by 2000 and to decrease to 1.41 percent by 2025.
Total
fertility rates (the average number of children born
during a
woman's reproductive years) have declined since the 1950s,
however.
The rate stood at 6.0 in 1955 and 5.5 in 1985 and was
expected to
decline to 3.7 by 2005 and 2.5 by 2025. The infant
mortality rate
was the highest in South Asia in 1990: 137 deaths per
1,000 live
births. Despite the declining population growth most of
Bhutan's
people were young. By the late 1980s, 45 percent of the
population
was under fifteen years of age. However, the greater
number of
female infant deaths resulted in one of the world's lowest
malefemale ratios (97.2 females to 100 males; see
fig. 15).
Life expectancy at birth had increased significantly
since the
1950s, when it stood at only 36.3 years. By the early
1980s, life
expectancy had reached 45.9 years. In 1989 the UN
projected that
life expectancy at birth in Bhutan would reach 55.5 years
by 2005
and 61.8 years by 2025, still low compared with other
South Asian
countries and with the other least developed nations of
the world.
Overall population density was thirty-one persons per
square
kilometer in the late 1980s, but because of the rugged
terrain
distribution was more dense in settled areas. The regions
in the
southern Duars valleys and eastern Bhutan around the
fertile
Tashigang Valley were the most populous areas. As was
common among
the least developed nations, there was a trend, albeit
small,
toward urbanization. Whereas in 1970 only 3 percent of the
population lived in urban settings, the percentage had
increased to
5 percent in 1985. UN specialists projected the urban
population
would reach 8 percent by 2000. With the exception of
Tuvalu, Bhutan
had the lowest urban population of any country among the
forty-one
least developed nations of the world.
Thimphu, the capital, the largest urban area, had a
population
of 27,000 persons in 1990. Most employed residents of
Thimphu, some
2,860 in 1990, were government employees. Another 2,200
persons
worked in private businesses and cottage industries. The
city
advanced toward modernization in 1987 with the
installation of
meters to regulate water consumption, the naming of its
streets,
and the erection of street signs. The only other urban
area with a
population of more than 10,000 residents was Phuntsholing
in
Chhukha District.
Data as of September 1991
- Bhutan-Entering the Outside World, 1972-86
- Bhutan-Festivals
- Bhutan-Banking and Credit
- Bhutan-Foreign Relations
- Bhutan-Climate
- Bhutan-Local Government
- Bhutan-Strategic Location NATIONAL SECURITY, BHUTAN
- Bhutan-River Systems
- Bhutan-Paramilitary
- Bhutan-Mining
- Bhutan-SOCIETY
- Bhutan-Forestry
- Bhutan-Political Developments
- Bhutan-Judiciary
- Bhutan-GEOGRAPHY
- Bhutan-Establishment of the Hereditary Monarchy, 1907
- Bhutan-Marriage and Family Life
- Bhutan-Legal System
- Bhutan-Table B - Bhutan: Chronology of Important Events
- Bhutan-Education
- Bhutan -COUNTRY PROFILE: BHUTAN
- Bhutan-Monetary System
- Bhutan-Administrative Integration and Conflict with Tibet, 1651- 1728
- Bhutan-Labor Force
- Bhutan-Participation in International Organizations
- Bhutan-Glaciers
- Bhutan-British Intrusion, 1772-1907
- Bhutan-Theocratic Government, 1616-1907
- Bhutan-Other Countries
- Bhutan-Preface
- Bhutan-Forest Guards
- Bhutan-Civil Service
- Bhutan-The Media
- Bhutan-Structure of the Government
- Bhutan-Population
- Bhutan-Forward
- Bhutan-Budgets
- Bhutan-Transportation and Communications
- Bhutan-Civil Aviation
- Bhutan-The Monarchy GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS, BHUTAN
- Bhutan-India
- Bhutan-The Land
- Bhutan-Energy
- Bhutan-China
- Bhutan-Health
- Bhutan-GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
- Bhutan-INTRODUCTION
- Bhutan-Civil Conflict, 1728-72
- Bhutan-NATIONAL SECURITY
- Bhutan-Trade
- Bhutan-Fisheries
- Bhutan-Foreign Economic Relations
- Bhutan-Bon
- Bhutan-Foreign Debt
- Bhutan-Irrigation and Fertilization
- Bhutan-Arrival of Buddhism
- Bhutan-Legal Basis
- Bhutan
- Bhutan-Rivalry among the Sects
- Bhutan-Languages
- Bhutan-Religious Tradition
- Bhutan-Tourism
- Bhutan-Legislature
- Bhutan-Agriculture
- Bhutan-Commerce
- Bhutan-Government-Owned Corporations
- Bhutan
- Bhutan-Origins and Early Settlement, A.D - 600-1600 HISTORICAL SETTING, BHUTAN
- Bhutan-Bhutan
- Bhutan-Modernization under Jigme Dorji, 1952-72
- Bhutan-The Economic Context THE ECONOMY, BHUTAN
- Bhutan-Acknowledgments
- Bhutan-CHAPTER 6 - BHUTAN
- Bhutan-Police Force
- Bhutan-Housing
- Bhutan-Role of the Government
- Bhutan-ECONOMY
- Bhutan-Hinduism and Islam
- Bhutan-Farming
- Bhutan-Animal Husbandry
- Bhutan-Role of Women
- Bhutan-Executive
- Bhutan-Development of Centralized Government, 1926-52
- Bhutan-Posts and Telecommunications
- Bhutan-Penal Code
- Bhutan-Geography THE SOCIETY AND ITS ENVIRONMENT, BHUTAN
- Bhutan-Social System
- Bhutan-Industry, Mining, Energy, and Commerce
- Bhutan-Armed Forces
Background | | In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of over 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New Delhi. In July 2007, seven ministers of Bhutan's ten-member cabinet resigned to join the political process, and the cabinet acted as a caretaker regime until democratic elections for seats to the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008. The king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008.
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Location | | Southern Asia, between China and India
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Area(sq km) | | total: 38,394 sq km land: 38,394 sq km water: 0 sq km
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Geographic coordinates | | 27 30 N, 90 30 E
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Land boundaries(km) | | total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km
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Coastline(km) | | 0 km (landlocked)
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Climate | | varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
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Elevation extremes(m) | | lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m
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Natural resources | | timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate
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Land use(%) | | arable land: 2.3% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 97.27% (2005)
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Irrigated land(sq km) | | 400 sq km (2003)
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Total renewable water resources(cu km) | | 95 cu km (1987)
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Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) | | total: 0.43 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%) per capita: 199 cu m/yr (2000)
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Natural hazards | | violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season
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Environment - current issues | | soil erosion; limited access to potable water
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Environment - international agreements | | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
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Geography - note | | landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
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Population | | 691,141 note: the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook population estimates for this country, which were on the order of three times the total population reported here, were based on Bhutanese government publications that did not include the census (July 2009 est.)
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Age structure(%) | | 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 106,410/female 102,164) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 235,988/female 208,484) 65 years and over: 5.5% (male 20,169/female 17,926) (2009 est.)
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Median age(years) | | total: 23.9 years male: 24.5 years female: 23.3 years (2009 est.)
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Population growth rate(%) | | 1.267% (2009 est.)
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Birth rate(births/1,000 population) | | 20.07 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
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Death rate(deaths/1,000 population) | | 7.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
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Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population) | | NA
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Urbanization(%) | | urban population: 35% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
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Sex ratio(male(s)/female) | | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
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Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births) | | total: 49.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 50.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth(years) | | total population: 66.13 years male: 65.33 years female: 66.97 years (2009 est.)
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Total fertility rate(children born/woman) | | 2.38 children born/woman (2009 est.)
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Nationality | | noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese
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Ethnic groups(%) | | Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
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Religions(%) | | Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
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Languages(%) | | Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
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Country name | | conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan local long form: Druk Gyalkhap local short form: Druk Yul
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Government type | | constitutional monarchy
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Capital | | name: Thimphu geographic coordinates: 27 29 N, 89 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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Administrative divisions | | 20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Gasa, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Tashi Yangtse, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang
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Constitution | | ratified 18 July 2008
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Legal system | | based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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Suffrage | | 18 years of age; universal
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Executive branch | | chief of state: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); note - King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the throne on 14 December 2006 and his son immediately succeeded him; the nearly two-year delay between the former King's abdication and his son's coronation on 6 November 2008 was to ensure an astrologically auspicious coronation date and to give the new King-who had limited experience-deeper administrative expertise under the guidance of this father head of government: Prime Minister Jigme THINLEY (since 9 April 2008) 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 elections: the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote; election of a new National Assembly occurred in March 2008; the leader of the majority party is nominated as the prime minister
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Legislative branch | | bicameral Parliament consists of the non-partisan National Council (25 seats; 20 members elected by each of the 20 electoral districts (dzongkhags) for four-year terms and 5 members nominated by the King); and the National Assembly (47 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote for five-year terms) elections: National Council elections last held on 31 December 2007 and 29 January 2008 (next to be held by December 2012); National Assembly elections last held on 24 March 2008 (next to be held by March 2013) election results: National Council - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - DPT 67%, PDP 33%; seats by party - DPT 45, PDP 2
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Judicial branch | | Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch); note - the draft constitution establishes a Supreme Court that will serve as chief court of appeal
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Political pressure groups and leaders | | United Front for Democracy (exiled); Druk National Congress (exiled) other: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community
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International organization participation | | ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
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Flag description | | 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
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Economy - overview | | The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 60% 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 and dependence on India's financial assistance. 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. Model education, social, and environment programs 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. For example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India have boosted Bhutan's overall growth, even though GDP fell in 2008 as a result of a slowdown in India, its predominant export market. New hydropower projects will be the driving force behind Bhutan's ability to create employment and sustain growth in the coming years.
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GDP (purchasing power parity) | | $3.533 billion (2008 est.) $2.91 billion (2007 est.) $2.738 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
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GDP (official exchange rate) | | $1.389 billion (2008 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate(%) | | 21.4% (2008 est.) 6.3% (2007 est.) 6.5% (2006 est.)
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GDP - per capita (PPP) | | $5,200 (2008 est.) $4,300 (2007 est.) $4,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
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GDP - composition by sector(%) | | agriculture: 22.3% industry: 37.9% services: 39.8% (2006)
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Labor force | | NA note: major shortage of skilled labor
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Labor force - by occupation(%) | | agriculture: 63% industry: 6% services: 31% (2004 est.)
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Unemployment rate(%) | | 2.5% (2004)
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Population below poverty line(%) | | 31.7% (2003)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share(%) | | lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
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Budget | | revenues: $272 million expenditures: $350 million note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2005)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%) | | 4.9% (2007 est.)
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Stock of money | | $NA (31 December 2008) $381.1 million (31 December 2007)
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Stock of quasi money | | $NA (31 December 2008) $220.3 million (31 December 2007)
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Stock of domestic credit | | $NA (31 December 2008) $169.9 million (31 December 2007)
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Market value of publicly traded shares | | $NA
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Economic aid - recipient | | $941.2 million; note - substantial aid from India (2006)
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Public debt(% of GDP) | | 81.4% of GDP (2004) 81.4% of GDP (2004)
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Agriculture - products | | rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
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Industries | | cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism
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Industrial production growth rate(%) | | NA
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Current account balance | | $116 million (2007 est.)
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Exports | | $350 million (2006)
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Exports - commodities(%) | | electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
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Exports - partners(%) | | India 89%, Bangladesh 6.5%, Italy 1.2% (2008)
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Imports | | $320 million (2006)
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Imports - commodities(%) | | fuel and lubricants, grain, aircraft, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
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Imports - partners(%) | | India 59.5%, Japan 13.4%, China 5.6% (2008)
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Debt - external | | $713.3 million (2006)
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Exchange rates | | ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 41.487 (2007), 45.279 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003) note: the ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee
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Currency (code) | | ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
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Telephones - main lines in use | | 27,500 (2008)
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Telephones - mobile cellular | | 251,000 (2008)
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Telephone system | | general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services domestic: low teledensity; domestic service is very poor especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003 international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2008)
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Internet country code | | .bt
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Internet users | | 40,000 (2008)
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Airports | | 2 (2009)
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Roadways(km) | | total: 8,050 km paved: 4,991 km unpaved: 3,059 km (2003)
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Military branches | | Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2009)
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Military service age and obligation(years of age) | | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
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Manpower available for military service | | males age 16-49: 190,104 females age 16-49: 167,289 (2008 est.)
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Manpower fit for military service | | males age 16-49: 150,210 females age 16-49: 135,991 (2009 est.)
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Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually | | male: 7,668 female: 7,379 (2009 est.)
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Military expenditures(% of GDP) | | 1% of GDP (2005 est.)
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Disputes - international | | Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian Nagaland separatists; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes arising from substantial cartographic discrepancies, the largest of which lie in Bhutan's northwest and along the Chumbi salient
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Electricity - production(kWh) | | 4.475 billion kWh (2007 est.)
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Electricity - production by source(%) | | fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 99.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
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Electricity - consumption(kWh) | | 528.8 million kWh (2007 est.)
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Electricity - exports(kWh) | | 3.644 billion kWh (2007 est.)
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Electricity - imports(kWh) | | 11 million kWh (2007 est.)
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Oil - production(bbl/day) | | 0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Oil - consumption(bbl/day) | | 1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Oil - exports(bbl/day) | | 0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
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Oil - imports(bbl/day) | | 1,168 bbl/day (2007 est.)
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Oil - proved reserves(bbl) | | 0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
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Natural gas - production(cu m) | | 0 cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural gas - consumption(cu m) | | 0 cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural gas - exports(cu m) | | 0 cu m (2008)
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Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m) | | 0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%) | | less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | | fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths | | NA
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Major infectious diseases | | degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
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Literacy(%) | | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47% male: 60% female: 34% (2003 est.)
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School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)(years) | | total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2006)
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Education expenditures(% of GDP) | | 7% of GDP (2005)
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