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Bhutan
Bhutan places highest on Working Poverty Rate (top 1% worldwide) and lowest on Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (bottom 2%).
Bhutan in the Nations Inquiry Country Index
At a glance
Population
786,385
people
since 1950
Land area
38,140
km²
since 1961
GDP per person
16,744
international $, PPP
since 1990
Life expectancy
72.98
years at birth
since 1950
Human development
0.698
HDI, 0–1
since 2010
Unemployment
3.227
% of the labour force
since 1991
The newest published figure for each, the year it describes and who published it, with a line showing how it has moved.
01The country
About Bhutan
Key facts about Bhutan
- Capital
- Thimphu
- Official language
- Dzongkha
- Currency
- ngultrum (BTN)
- ISO code
- BTN · BT
- Domain · dialling
- .bt · +975
As Wikidata records them. Official languages are the least consistent — some countries list only a national language, others every regional one. Sources and licences.
02Country Index 2026
Where it stands, topic by topic
Strongest first. Each position is Bhutan’s place among the countries with a standing on that topic, built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things.
joint11thof 191
From 3 of 3 key statistics
16thof 177
From 2 of 3 key statistics
joint74thof 198
From 3 of 3 key statistics
joint72ndof 182
From 4 of 4 key statistics
83rdof 193
From 5 of 5 key statistics
79thof 161
From 3 of 3 key statistics
93rdof 182
From 4 of 4 key statistics
108thof 194
From 3 of 3 key statistics
112thof 201
From 2 of 4 key statistics
105thof 178
From 3 of 3 key statistics
No standing — Bhutan holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
No standing — Bhutan holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
Each standing is built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things. Select a subject for Bhutan’s readings on it, or see every statistic held for Bhutan in the table further down this page.
03Highs and lows
Where Bhutan stands out
The two ends of its own record: every statistic on which Bhutan sits within ten places of the best or worst in the world, plus its strongest and weakest readings overall. Each is turned into a percentile — its place among every country measured — which is what lets a hunger score and a press-freedom rank be compared at all.
Where Bhutan does best9
In the top third of all countries measured. 8 are within ten places of the best in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 1stDeaths in Organized Violencetop 35%
Position · derived 59th of 59 · 1 = worst · 0 · 2025
world median 0
- 1st
Position · derived 1st of 190 · 100 · 2024
world median 31.14 (better)
- 3rd
Position · derived 67th of 69 · 1 = worst · 0.001 · 2022
world median 0.42 (better) · ▲ 45 pts since 2012
- 3rd
Position · derived 69th of 71 · 1 = worst · 0.01 · 2022
world median 1.05 (better) · ▲ 56 pts since 2012
- 4th
Position · derived 4th of 181 · 99,883 · 2022
world median 2,528 (better)
- 8th
Position · derived 8th of 136 · 69.4 · 2024
world median 40.74 (better)
- 9th
Position · derived 9th of 78 · 3.8 · 2025
world median 3.246 (better)
- 9th
Position · derived 9th of 211 · 1.354 · 2024
world median 0.04 (better) · ▲ 10 pts since 2014
- Working Poverty Ratetop 1%
Not ranked by the publisher · 0.007 · 2025
world median 4.885 (better) · ▲ 38 pts since 2015
Where Bhutan struggles most5
In the bottom third of all countries measured. 4 are within ten places of the worst in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 3rd
Position · derived 84th of 86 · 15.5 · 2024
world median 35.86 (worse) · ▼ 10 pts since 2018
- 6thCrop Production Indexbottom 3%
Position · derived 190th of 195 · 68.09 · 2022
world median 106.23 (worse) · ▼ 44 pts since 2012
- 7thFood Production Indexbottom 3%
Position · derived 189th of 195 · 77.75 · 2022
world median 106.08 (worse) · ▼ 41 pts since 2012
- 9thResearch and Development Spendingbottom 10%
Position · derived 76th of 84 · 0.108 · 2023
world median 0.814 (worse)
- Tertiary Enrolment Ratiobottom 12%
Position · derived 84th of 95 · 13.01 · 2024
world median 52.77 (worse) · ▼ 5 pts since 2017
A band is a place among the countries each publisher scores, so Bhutan can move because other countries moved. See the Country Index for the full method.
04Over time
Which way it is moving
The published rank in widely quoted reports, edition by edition — each end with the size of that year’s field — and the statistics, not already named above, on which it has gained or lost the most ground.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
138th
of 191 · 2010
125th
of 193 · 2023
Ranked in 14 of 34 editions
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
33rd
of 173 · 2012
18th
of 181 · 2025
Ranked in 14 of 14 editions
Gender Inequality Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
87th
of 154 · 2010
71st
of 172 · 2023
Ranked in 14 of 34 editions
Government AI Readiness Index
Oxford Insights
108th
of 172 · 2020
101st
of 195 · 2025
Ranked in 6 of 6 editions
Gaining ground
Where Bhutan has climbed against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Livestock Production Index+77 pts since 2012
- Gini Index+50 pts since 2012
Losing ground
Where Bhutan has slipped against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Youth Unemployment Rate-31 pts since 2015
05In context
Bhutan and its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place in the world ranking of 174, not within the region.
Placed either side in the Country Index 2026
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its position in the world (of 174 placed).
- 50
Maldives - 54Bhutan
- 96
Sri Lanka - 97
India - 109
Nepal - 131
Bangladesh - 146
Iran - 154
Pakistan - 171
Afghanistan
06The evidence
Every statistic we hold for Bhutan
Grouped by topic. Each row gives the newest edition’s rank or position, the published value and the year the numbers describe — select a row for the world median, the best in the world and the trend.
Governance & Institutions18
Agriculture Orientation Index28th of 132position · derived0.66Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)2024
Upper middle · top 21% of 132 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)
Bhutan 0.66 · world median 0.305 (better)
Best in the world 5.38 (Singapore)
▼ -13 percentile points since 2014
Civic Space Ratings99th of 198position · derived50.74Civic space score (0–100)2025
Middle · top 50% of 198 countries measured
CIVICUS · Civic space score (0–100)
Bhutan 50.74 · world median 50.46 (better)
Best in the world 100 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
Completeness of Birth Registrationtop 30%99.9Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)2025
Upper middle · top 30% of 185 countries measured
UNICEF · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)
Bhutan 99.9 · world median 98.4 (better)
Best in the world 100 (53 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Corruption Perceptions Index18th of 181rank71CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)2025
Top fifth · top 10% of 182 countries measured · 182 share 181 positions
Transparency International · CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Bhutan 71 · world median 39 (better)
Best in the world 89 (Denmark)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2015
Country Policy and Institutional Assessment9th of 78position · derived3.8IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high)2025
Top fifth · top 10% of 78 countries measured
World Bank Group · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high)
Bhutan 3.8 · world median 3.246 (better)
Best in the world 4.225 (Rwanda)
No real change since 2015
Debt Service on External Debt42nd of 109position · derived · 1 = worst16.58Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income)2024
Lower middle · bottom 38% of 109 countries measured
World Bank Group · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income)
Bhutan 16.58 · world median 12.93 (worse)
Best in the world 0.285 (Iran)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2014
Government AI Readiness Index101st of 195rank39.38AI readiness score (0–100)2025
Middle · bottom 48% of 195 countries measured
Oxford Insights · AI readiness score (0–100)
Bhutan 39.38 · world median 40.19 (worse)
Best in the world 88.36 (United States)
▲ +11 percentile points since 2020
Government Effectiveness65th of 209position · derived0.581Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)2024
Upper middle · top 31% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Bhutan 0.581 · world median 0.01 (better)
Best in the world 2.28 (Singapore)
No real change since 2014
Government Spending on Education16th of 123position · derived5.845Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)2023
Top fifth · top 12% of 123 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Bhutan 5.845 · world median 3.709 (better)
Best in the world 16.39 (Kiribati)
▲ +17 percentile points since 2013
Open Data Inventory110th of 168rank50ODIN overall score (0–100)2024
Lower middle · bottom 34% of 168 countries measured
Open Data Watch · ODIN overall score (0–100)
Bhutan 50 · world median 59 (worse)
Best in the world 90 (2 countries tied)
▼ -29 percentile points since 2015
Public Sector Employment74th of 135position · derived12.99Public sector employment (% of total employment)2022
Middle · bottom 46% of 135 countries measured
World Bank Group · Public sector employment (% of total employment)
Bhutan 12.99 · world median 15.01
Highest 47.1 (Maldives)
No earlier reading to compare
Regulatory Quality106th of 209position · derived-0.091Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Middle · bottom 50% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)
Bhutan -0.091 · world median -0.09 (worse)
Best in the world 2.132 (Singapore)
▲ +23 percentile points since 2014
Rule of Law52nd of 211position · derived0.79Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Upper middle · top 24% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Bhutan 0.79 · world median -0.1 (better)
Best in the world 2.021 (Finland)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2014
Statistical Performance Indicators143rd of 188position · derived57.97SPI overall score (0–100)2024
Lower middle · bottom 24% of 188 countries measured
World Bank Group · SPI overall score (0–100)
Bhutan 57.97 · world median 69.3 (worse)
Best in the world 94.14 (Norway)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2016
V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index76th of 176position · derived0.566Electoral democracy index (0–1)2025
Middle · top 43% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Electoral democracy index (0–1)
Bhutan 0.566 · world median 0.497 (better)
Best in the world 0.913 (Denmark)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2015
Voice and Accountability73rd of 208position · derived0.401Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Upper middle · top 35% of 208 countries measured
World Bank Group · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Bhutan 0.401 · world median -0.02 (better)
Best in the world 1.929 (Norway)
▲ +9 percentile points since 2014
Women, Business and the Law124th of 190position · derived75WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)2024
Lower middle · bottom 34% of 190 countries measured
World Bank Group · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)
Bhutan 75 · world median 81.25 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (14 countries tied)
▼ -15 percentile points since 2014
Economy & Innovation24
Adjusted Net Savings38th of 118position · derived13.35Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI)2021
Upper middle · top 32% of 118 countries measured
World Bank Group · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI)
Bhutan 13.35 · world median 8.389 (better)
Best in the world 32.18 (Bangladesh)
▼ -29 percentile points since 2011
Agricultural Land169th of 209position · derived13.82Agricultural land (% of land area)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 19% of 209 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agricultural land (% of land area)
Bhutan 13.82 · world median 37.96
Highest 86.48 (Côte d’Ivoire)
No real change since 2013
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)45th of 158position · derived13.68Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP)2025
Upper middle · top 28% of 158 countries measured
World Bank Group · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP)
Bhutan 13.68 · world median 6.572
Highest 47.59 (Niger)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2015
Cereal Yield80th of 179position · derived3,462Cereal yield (kg per hectare)2023
Middle · top 44% of 179 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Cereal yield (kg per hectare)
Bhutan 3,462 · world median 3,072 (better)
Best in the world 29,147 (Oman)
No real change since 2013
Crop Production Index190th of 195position · derived68.09Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Bottom fifth · bottom 3% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Bhutan 68.09 · world median 106.23 (worse)
Best in the world 189.93 (Senegal)
▼ -44 percentile points since 2012
Fertilizer Consumption per Hectare157th of 188position · derived9.81Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 18% of 191 countries measured · 191 share 188 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)
Bhutan 9.81 · world median 87.36
Highest 2,926 (Malaysia)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2013
Food Production Index189th of 195position · derived77.75Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Bottom fifth · bottom 3% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Bhutan 77.75 · world median 106.08 (worse)
Best in the world 177.49 (Senegal)
▼ -41 percentile points since 2012
GDP Growth11th of 186position · derived8.005GDP growth (annual %)2025
Top fifth · top 5% of 186 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP growth (annual %)
Bhutan 8.005 · world median 3.396 (better)
Best in the world 19.34 (Guyana)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2015
GDP per Capita (PPP)97th of 185position · derived16,744GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)2025
Middle · bottom 48% of 185 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Bhutan 16,744 · world median 17,265 (worse)
Best in the world 139,593 (Singapore)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2015
Gini Index62nd of 73position · derived · 1 = worst28.45Gini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality)2022
Top fifth · top 15% of 73 countries measured
World Bank Group · Gini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality)
Bhutan 28.45 · world median 33.91 (better)
Best in the world 24.08 (Slovakia)
▲ +50 percentile points since 2012
Gross Savings (% of GDP)68th of 146position · derived22.94Gross savings (% of GDP)2024
Middle · top 46% of 146 countries measured
World Bank Group · Gross savings (% of GDP)
Bhutan 22.94 · world median 22.06
Highest 47.82 (Macau)
▼ -33 percentile points since 2014
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)34th of 158position · derived33.16Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP)2025
Upper middle · top 21% of 158 countries measured
World Bank Group · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP)
Bhutan 33.16 · world median 24.65
Highest 75.09 (Guyana)
▼ -13 percentile points since 2015
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index115th of 169position · derived0.478IHDI (0–1)2023
Lower middle · bottom 32% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · IHDI (0–1)
Bhutan 0.478 · world median 0.609 (worse)
Best in the world 0.923 (Iceland)
No real change since 2013
Livestock Density125th of 188position · derived0.34Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land2023
Lower middle · bottom 33% of 188 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land
Bhutan 0.34 · world median 0.535
Highest 43.97 (Singapore)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2013
Livestock Production Index28th of 194position · derived132.29Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Top fifth · top 14% of 194 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Bhutan 132.29 · world median 107.06 (better)
Best in the world 190.08 (Malawi)
▲ +77 percentile points since 2012
Logistics Performance Index97th of 139rank2.5LPI score (1–5)2023
Lower middle · bottom 24% of 139 countries measured
World Bank Group · LPI score (1–5)
Bhutan 2.5 · world median 2.9 (worse)
Best in the world 4.3 (Singapore)
▲ +14 percentile points since 2014
Net Official Development Assistance Received39th of 130position · derived5.51Net ODA received (% of GNI)2023
Upper middle · top 29% of 130 countries measured
OECD Development Assistance Committee · Net ODA received (% of GNI)
Bhutan 5.51 · world median 2.579
Highest 101.78 (Tuvalu)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2013
Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day67th of 69position · derived · 1 = worst0.001Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%)2022
Top fifth · top 8% of 73 countries measured · 73 share 69 positions
World Bank Group · Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%)
Bhutan 0.001 · world median 0.42 (better)
Best in the world 0 (5 countries tied)
▲ +45 percentile points since 2012
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day69th of 71position · derived · 1 = worst0.01Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%)2022
Top fifth · top 5% of 73 countries measured · 73 share 71 positions
World Bank Group · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%)
Bhutan 0.01 · world median 1.05 (better)
Best in the world 0 (3 countries tied)
▲ +56 percentile points since 2012
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day40th of 73position · derived · 1 = worst8.99Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%)2022
Middle · top 46% of 73 countries measured
World Bank Group · Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%)
Bhutan 8.99 · world median 10.79 (better)
Best in the world 0.04 (Cyprus)
▲ +30 percentile points since 2012
Prosperity Gap38th of 73position · derived · 1 = worst1.946Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day2022
Middle · top 49% of 73 countries measured
World Bank Group · Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day
Bhutan 1.946 · world median 2.118 (better)
Best in the world 0.43 (Luxembourg)
▲ +18 percentile points since 2012
Research and Development Spending76th of 84position · derived0.108Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 10% of 84 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP)
Bhutan 0.108 · world median 0.814 (worse)
Best in the world 6.346 (Israel)
No earlier reading to compare
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)84th of 180position · derived2.733Natural resources rents (% of GDP)2021
Middle · top 42% of 197 countries measured · 197 share 180 positions
World Bank Group · Natural resources rents (% of GDP)
Bhutan 2.733 · world median 1.708
Highest 61.03 (Libya)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2011
Work & Labour18
Average Weekly Hours Worked1st of 182position · derived54.7Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person2025
Top fifth · top 1% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person
Bhutan 54.7 · world median 38.89
Highest 54.7 (Bhutan)
No real change since 2015
Employment in Agriculture35th of 182position · derived42.37Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)2025
Top fifth · top 19% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)
Bhutan 42.37 · world median 14.38
Highest 85.34 (Burundi)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Industry133rd of 182position · derived15.88Employment in industry (% of total employment)2025
Lower middle · bottom 27% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in industry (% of total employment)
Bhutan 15.88 · world median 18.88
Highest 39.44 (Oman)
▲ +15 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Services147th of 182position · derived41.75Employment in services (% of total employment)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 19% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in services (% of total employment)
Bhutan 41.75 · world median 59.51
Highest 92.17 (Djibouti)
▲ +7 percentile points since 2015
Employment-to-Population Ratio52nd of 182position · derived62.73Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)2025
Upper middle · top 28% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Bhutan 62.73 · world median 57.72 (better)
Best in the world 86.9 (Qatar)
No real change since 2015
Female Labour Force Participation Rate67th of 182position · derived56.7Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Upper middle · top 36% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Bhutan 56.7 · world median 53.36 (better)
Best in the world 82.91 (Madagascar)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2015
Female Share of Senior and Middle Management84th of 86position · derived15.5Women in senior and middle management (% of managers)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 2% of 86 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers)
Bhutan 15.5 · world median 35.86 (worse)
Best in the world 56.69 (Nauru)
▼ -10 percentile points since 2018
Firms with a Female Top Manager70th of 179position · derived21.42Firms with a female top manager (%)2025
Upper middle · top 39% of 179 countries measured
World Bank Group · Firms with a female top manager (%)
Bhutan 21.42 · world median 19.16 (better)
Best in the world 62.9 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
GDP per Person Employed101st of 168position · derived33,517GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)2025
Middle · bottom 40% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)
Bhutan 33,517 · world median 47,384 (worse)
Best in the world 262,554 (Luxembourg)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2015
Labour Force Participation Rate63rd of 182position · derived64.82Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Upper middle · top 34% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Bhutan 64.82 · world median 61.66 (better)
Best in the world 87.01 (Qatar)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2015
Labour Productivity per Hour Worked126th of 182position · derived11.37Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)2025
Lower middle · bottom 31% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)
Bhutan 11.37 · world median 22.16 (worse)
Best in the world 164.65 (Ireland)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2015
Self-Employment Rate33rd of 182position · derived69.51Self-employed (% of total employment)2025
Top fifth · top 18% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Self-employed (% of total employment)
Bhutan 69.51 · world median 31.84
Highest 91.56 (Chad)
No real change since 2015
Unemployment Rate136th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst3.227Unemployment (% of labour force)2025
Upper middle · top 25% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment (% of labour force)
Bhutan 3.227 · world median 5.084 (better)
Best in the world 0.13 (Qatar)
▼ -13 percentile points since 2015
Vulnerable Employment28th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst69.03Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 15% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Bhutan 69.03 · world median 28.67 (worse)
Best in the world 0.456 (Qatar)
No real change since 2015
Working Poverty Ratetop 1%0.007Employed people living in extreme poverty (%)2025
Top fifth · top 1% of 113 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%)
Bhutan 0.007 · world median 4.885 (better)
Best in the world 0.007 (Bhutan)
▲ +38 percentile points since 2015
Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training29th of 97position · derived · 1 = worst20.54Youth not in education, employment or training (%)2024
Lower middle · bottom 29% of 97 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Youth not in education, employment or training (%)
Bhutan 20.54 · world median 14.31 (worse)
Best in the world 3.975 (Iceland)
▼ -27 percentile points since 2018
Youth Unemployment Rate63rd of 182position · derived · 1 = worst17.05Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)2025
Lower middle · bottom 34% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)
Bhutan 17.05 · world median 12.83 (worse)
Best in the world 0.457 (Niger)
▼ -31 percentile points since 2015
Education & Knowledge10
Adult Literacy Rate147th of 172position · derived64.91Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 15% of 172 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)
Bhutan 64.91 · world median 93.99 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Expected Years of Schooling106th of 195position · derived13.15Expected years of schooling2023
Middle · bottom 46% of 195 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Expected years of schooling
Bhutan 13.15 · world median 13.34 (worse)
Best in the world 21.69 (Monaco)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2013
Mean Years of Schooling162nd of 193position · derived5.836Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 16% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)
Bhutan 5.836 · world median 9.933 (worse)
Best in the world 14.3 (Germany)
▲ +12 percentile points since 2013
Out-of-School Rate, Primary33rd of 121position · derived · 1 = worst10.5Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)2024
Lower middle · bottom 27% of 121 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Bhutan 10.5 · world median 3.691 (worse)
Best in the world 0.004 (United Arab Emirates)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2015
Primary Completion Rate102nd of 165position · derived93.56Primary completion rate (%)2025
Lower middle · bottom 38% of 165 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Primary completion rate (%)
Bhutan 93.56 · world median 97.43 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (5 countries tied)
▲ +7 percentile points since 2015
School Life Expectancy49th of 77position · derived13.62School life expectancy, primary to tertiary (years)2024
Lower middle · bottom 37% of 77 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · School life expectancy, primary to tertiary (years)
Bhutan 13.62 · world median 14.59 (worse)
Best in the world 21.01 (Monaco)
▲ +15 percentile points since 2018
Secondary School Enrolment76th of 109position · derived86.18Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%)2024
Lower middle · bottom 31% of 109 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%)
Bhutan 86.18 · world median 93.19 (worse)
Best in the world 158.55 (Monaco)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2014
Tertiary Enrolment Ratio84th of 95position · derived13.01Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary (%)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 12% of 95 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary (%)
Bhutan 13.01 · world median 52.77 (worse)
Best in the world 141.86 (Macau)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2017
Upper Secondary Completion Rate64th of 164position · derived76.82Upper secondary completion rate (%)2025
Upper middle · top 39% of 164 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Bhutan 76.82 · world median 64.87 (better)
Best in the world 99.27 (South Korea)
▲ +12 percentile points since 2015
Youth Literacy Ratebottom 47%97.7315–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)2024
Middle · bottom 47% of 174 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)
Bhutan 97.73 · world median 98.22 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (6 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Health & Wellbeing13
Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff61st of 86position · derived96.3Births attended by skilled health staff (%)2019
Lower middle · bottom 29% of 86 countries measured
UNICEF · Births attended by skilled health staff (%)
Bhutan 96.3 · world median 98.8 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (11 countries tied)
▲ +22 percentile points since 2009
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months8th of 136position · derived69.4Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)2024
Top fifth · top 5% of 136 countries measured
UNICEF · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)
Bhutan 69.4 · world median 40.74 (better)
Best in the world 83.3 (Burundi)
No earlier reading to compare
Gender Inequality Index71st of 172rank0.278GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)2023
Middle · top 41% of 172 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)
Bhutan 0.278 · world median 0.351 (better)
Best in the world 0.003 (Denmark)
▲ +18 percentile points since 2013
Global Multidimensional Poverty Index55th of 109position · derived · 1 = worst0.039MPI (0–1)2025
Middle · top 50% of 109 countries measured
Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) · MPI (0–1)
Bhutan 0.039 · world median 0.039
Best in the world 0 (Serbia)
▲ +9 percentile points since 2018
Global Violent Deaths118th of 206position · derived · 1 = worst2.83Violent deaths per 100,000 people2021
Middle · top 44% of 209 countries measured · 209 share 206 positions
Small Arms Survey · Violent deaths per 100,000 people
Bhutan 2.83 · world median 4.02 (better)
Best in the world 0 (4 countries tied)
▲ +8 percentile points since 2011
Human Capital Index119th of 172position · derived0.475HCI score (0–1)2020
Lower middle · bottom 31% of 172 countries measured
World Bank Group · HCI score (0–1)
Bhutan 0.475 · world median 0.564 (worse)
Best in the world 0.879 (Singapore)
No earlier reading to compare
Human Development Index125th of 193rank0.698HDI score (0–1)2023
Lower middle · bottom 35% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · HDI score (0–1)
Bhutan 0.698 · world median 0.762 (worse)
Best in the world 0.972 (Iceland)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2013
Life Expectancy at Birth126th of 222position · derived72.98Years a newborn would live at current death rates2023
Middle · bottom 43% of 222 countries measured
UN DESA Population Division · Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Bhutan 72.98 · world median 74.63 (worse)
Best in the world 86.37 (Monaco)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2013
Maternal Mortality Ratio98th of 195position · derived · 1 = worst46.65Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births2023
Middle · top 50% of 195 countries measured
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Bhutan 46.65 · world median 46.65
Best in the world 0.11 (Cook Islands)
▲ +7 percentile points since 2013
Pesticide Use per Hectare81st of 178position · derived2.19Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)2024
Middle · top 45% of 181 countries measured · 181 share 178 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)
Bhutan 2.19 · world median 1.73
Highest 37.72 (Antigua and Barbuda)
▲ +51 percentile points since 2014
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five66th of 162position · derived · 1 = worst17.9Children under 5 who are stunted (%)2024
Middle · bottom 40% of 162 countries measured
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Bhutan 17.9 · world median 13.8 (worse)
Best in the world 0.518 (Latvia)
No earlier reading to compare
Under-Five Mortality Rate87th of 200position · derived · 1 = worst17.17Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)2024
Middle · bottom 43% of 200 countries measured
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Bhutan 17.17 · world median 14.54 (worse)
Best in the world 1.26 (San Marino)
▲ +11 percentile points since 2014
Violent Discipline of Children30th of 90position · derived · 1 = worst82.2Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%)2025
Lower middle · bottom 33% of 90 countries measured
UNICEF · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%)
Bhutan 82.2 · world median 75.8 (worse)
Best in the world 37.6 (Qatar)
No earlier reading to compare
Development & Human Capital10
Access to Electricitytop 28%100Population with electricity access (%)2024
Upper middle · top 28% of 215 countries measured
World Bank Group · Population with electricity access (%)
Bhutan 100 · world median 100
Best in the world 100 (122 countries tied)
▲ +37 percentile points since 2014
Arable Land per Person93rd of 206position · derived0.127Arable land (hectares per person)2023
Middle · top 45% of 206 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Arable land (hectares per person)
Bhutan 0.127 · world median 0.109
Highest 1.459 (Kazakhstan)
No real change since 2013
Cereal Import Dependency Ratiotop 31%74.2Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)2022
Upper middle · top 31% of 161 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)
Bhutan 74.2 · world median 42.8
Highest 100 (16 countries tied)
No real change since 2020
Child Marriage102nd of 143position · derived · 1 = worst9Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)2025
Upper middle · top 30% of 145 countries measured · 145 share 143 positions
UNICEF · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)
Bhutan 9 · world median 17.1 (better)
Best in the world 0 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Coefficient of Human Inequality41st of 169position · derived · 1 = worst29.98Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)2023
Lower middle · bottom 24% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)
Bhutan 29.98 · world median 17.05 (worse)
Best in the world 4.865 (Slovenia)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Gender Development Index110th of 184position · derived0.958Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)2023
Middle · bottom 40% of 184 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)
Bhutan 0.958 · world median 0.971 (worse)
Best in the world 1 (2 countries tied)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Land Under Cereal Production149th of 179position · derived20,215Land under cereal production (hectares)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 17% of 180 countries measured · 180 share 179 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Land under cereal production (hectares)
Bhutan 20,215 · world median 689,278
Highest 103,715,108 (India)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2013
Organic Agricultural Area79th of 150position · derived0.7Organic share of agricultural land (%)2024
Middle · bottom 50% of 156 countries measured · 156 share 150 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Bhutan 0.7 · world median 0.725 (worse)
Best in the world 86.38 (Samoa)
▼ -17 percentile points since 2014
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI108th of 156position · derived0.593PHDI (0–1)2023
Lower middle · bottom 31% of 156 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · PHDI (0–1)
Bhutan 0.593 · world median 0.678 (worse)
Best in the world 0.827 (United Kingdom)
No real change since 2013
Water Withdrawal by Sector12th of 171position · derived94.08Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)2022
Top fifth · top 6% of 173 countries measured · 173 share 171 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)
Bhutan 94.08 · world median 62.14
Highest 99.48 (Somalia)
No real change since 2012
Environment & Sustainability8
Agricultural Emissions159th of 193position · derived460.16Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 20% of 198 countries measured · 198 share 193 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)
Bhutan 460.16 · world median 8,635
Highest 1,044,508 (India)
No real change since 2013
Ecological Footprint20th of 126position · derived · 1 = worst4.771Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 15% of 126 countries measured
Global Footprint Network · Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Bhutan 4.771 · world median 2.296 (worse)
Best in the world 0.514 (Yemen)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2015
Forest Area15th of 210position · derived71.61Forest area (% of land area)2023
Top fifth · top 7% of 213 countries measured · 213 share 210 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Forest area (% of land area)
Bhutan 71.61 · world median 31.08
Highest 94.45 (Suriname)
No real change since 2013
Internal Displacements by Disaster135th of 160position · derived · 1 = worst160New displacements by disaster (people)2024
Top fifth · top 16% of 160 countries measured
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) · New displacements by disaster (people)
Bhutan 160 · world median 4,750 (better)
Best in the world 1 (Serbia)
▲ +26 percentile points since 2015
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per Capita4th of 181position · derived99,883Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)2022
Top fifth · top 2% of 181 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)
Bhutan 99,883 · world median 2,528 (better)
Best in the world 445,023 (Iceland)
No real change since 2012
Renewable Share of Electricity Generation1st of 190position · derived100Renewables (% of electricity generated)2024
Top fifth · top 2% of 193 countries measured · 193 share 190 positions
Ember · Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Bhutan 100 · world median 31.14 (better)
Best in the world 100 (7 countries tied)
No real change since 2014
Water Stress154th of 177position · derived · 1 = worst1.41Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)2023
Top fifth · top 13% of 177 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Bhutan 1.41 · world median 10 (better)
Best in the world 0.03 (Republic of the Congo)
No real change since 2013
World Risk Index176th of 193position · derived · 1 = worst1.11WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)2025
Top fifth · top 9% of 193 countries measured
Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)
Bhutan 1.11 · world median 4.17 (better)
Best in the world 0.18 (Monaco)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2015
Gender & Equality1
Social Institutions and Gender Index46th of 140position · derived · 1 = worst32.9SIGI score (0 = no discrimination, 100 = absolute)2023
Lower middle · bottom 33% of 140 countries measured
OECD · SIGI score (0 = no discrimination, 100 = absolute)
Bhutan 32.9 · world median 25.2 (worse)
Best in the world 6.7 (Norway)
No earlier reading to compare
Peace & Security4
Deaths in Organized Violence59th of 59position · derived · 1 = worst0Deaths in organized violence (people)2025
Upper middle · top 35% of 196 countries measured · 196 share 59 positions
Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) · Deaths in organized violence (people)
Bhutan 0 · world median 0
Best in the world 0 (138 countries tied)
No real change since 2015
INFORM Risk Index124th of 191position · derived · 1 = worst2.9INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)2025
Upper middle · top 34% of 191 countries measured
European Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee · INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)
Bhutan 2.9 · world median 3.7 (better)
Best in the world 0.7 (Singapore)
▲ +8 percentile points since 2016
Physical Violence Index76th of 176position · derived0.834Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)2025
Middle · top 43% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)
Bhutan 0.834 · world median 0.79 (better)
Best in the world 0.989 (2 countries tied)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2015
Political Stability and Absence of Violence9th of 211position · derived1.354Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Top fifth · top 4% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Bhutan 1.354 · world median 0.04 (better)
Best in the world 1.582 (Liechtenstein)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2014
Not currently covered
The newest edition of these reports does not include Bhutan. Usually the publisher does not cover it; sometimes it has dropped out of a ranking it used to appear in.
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution · last seen 2014
- Agricultural Irrigated Land
- Business Ready: Operational Efficiency
- Business Ready: Public Services
- Business Ready: Regulatory Framework
- Children with Functional Difficulties
- Container Port Traffic
- Cost of Sending Remittances
- Dietary Energy Supply
- Economic Complexity Index
- Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- External Debt Stocks (% of GNI) · last seen 2023
- Fatal Occupational Injuries
- Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence
- Gender Social Norms Index
- General Government Consumption · last seen 2024
- Global Innovation Index
- Global Militarisation Index
- Global Report on Food Crises
- GNI per Capita (PPP) · last seen 2024
- Government Funding per Primary Student · last seen 2014
- Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Household Consumption · last seen 2024
- ICT Goods Exports · last seen 2022
- Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary · last seen 2021
- INFORM Severity Index
- Informal Employment Rate
- Liner Shipping Connectivity Index
- Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- PISA Mathematics Performance
- PISA Reading Performance
- PISA Science Performance
- Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate · last seen 2020
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
- Prevalence of Undernourishment
- Public Sector Wage Bill · last seen 2021
- Trade (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Trade Union Density
- Upper Secondary Attainment · last seen 2022
- World Energy Trilemma Index
07Keep reading
Explore further
08Method
Sources and how to read them
How to read this page
- The scores and ranks belong to their publishers. Nothing is adjusted, rescaled or re-ranked; each is reproduced from the edition named beside it. Where a row says position · derived, the publisher ranks nobody on that measure and the position is ours, made by ordering the published score.
- Each statistic shows its newest edition, which is not always the edition the Country Index uses: the index pins every source to one data year so its average compares like with like.
How a standing is built from percentiles, why Bhutan can move because other countries moved, and why publishers measure between 120 and 215 countries each are set out in full in how a standing is made and what a standing cannot tell you.
Sources
- Statistics: 25 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
- Capital, languages, currency, codes: Wikidata, public domain (CC0).
- Map and land borders: Natural Earth, public domain. Borders are de facto — where administration actually changes — not claimed.
Photographs
The photograph of Bhutan on this page comes from Wikimedia Commons and is shown in greyscale. The photographer and the licence are named beside each one.
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Bhutan: country statistics, rankings and trends. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/bhutan