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Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Bhutan: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Bhutan is placed joint 72nd of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 62.73 (2025); Labour Income Share 48.31 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
joint72nd
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Bhutan on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
62.73
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Bhutan: 62.73. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Southern Asia
- 62.73 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- China 61.57 · India 53.31
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
3.227
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Bhutan: 3.227. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Southern Asia
- 3.227 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- China 4.615 · India 4.219
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
69.03
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Bhutan: 69.03. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Southern Asia
- 16.91 Maldives
- Land neighbours
- China 33.4 · India 71.58
02Over time
Which way Bhutan is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
BhutanWorld median
Bhutan fell from 68.72 in 2000 to 62.73 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Bhutan World median 2025 62.73 57.720 2024 62.77 57.694 2023 62.96 58.158 2022 59.34 57.688 2021 65.78 56.066 2020 64.42 55.691 2019 64.56 57.871 2018 60.51 56.911 2017 60.88 56.738 2016 61.26 56.845 2015 61.59 56.788 2014 60.96 56.774 2013 63.43 56.229 2012 63.08 56.289 2011 65.23 56.297 2010 65.89 56.212 2009 66.94 56.255 2008 66.99 57.308 2007 67.03 56.933 2006 67.36 56.685 2005 67.32 56.129 2004 67.74 55.465 2003 68.27 55.630 2002 68.32 55.843 2001 68.41 56.018 2000 68.72 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
BhutanWorld median
Bhutan fell from 50.71 in 2004 to 48.31 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Bhutan World median 2025 48.314 46.230 2024 48.713 46.060 2023 48.594 45.900 2022 48.635 45.615 2021 48.757 45.433 2020 50.810 47.267 2019 49.582 46.277 2018 51.317 46.187 2017 51.504 46.467 2016 50.657 46.798 2015 50.900 46.876 2014 50.896 47.281 2013 51.417 46.887 2012 50.929 46.231 2011 50.467 45.679 2010 49.895 46.024 2009 50.450 47.071 2008 50.851 45.312 2007 49.294 45.246 2006 50.671 45.670 2005 50.483 46.265 2004 50.708 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
BhutanWorld median
Bhutan rose from 1.655 in 2000 to 3.227 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Bhutan World median 2025 3.227 5.08 2024 3.282 5.15 2023 3.126 5.21 2022 5.947 5.34 2021 4.803 6.04 2020 5.030 6.38 2019 2.720 5.36 2018 3.350 5.35 2017 3.027 5.59 2016 2.707 5.90 2015 2.450 6.41 2014 2.630 6.58 2013 2.870 6.71 2012 2.050 6.79 2011 3.230 6.90 2010 3.320 7.04 2009 3.960 6.67 2008 3.848 5.79 2007 3.700 6.00 2006 3.130 6.50 2005 3.100 7.09 2004 2.490 6.80 2003 1.800 6.95 2002 1.854 6.91 2001 1.900 6.96 2000 1.655 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
BhutanWorld median
Bhutan fell from 73.78 in 2000 to 69.03 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Bhutan World median 2025 69.03 28.67 2024 69.40 29.04 2023 69.71 29.33 2022 69.85 29.67 2021 70.20 30.01 2020 70.54 30.54 2019 70.73 29.98 2018 71.51 30.15 2017 71.85 29.93 2016 72.30 29.91 2015 72.80 30.26 2014 71.00 30.47 2013 70.89 31.14 2012 70.80 31.00 2011 70.90 31.41 2010 69.09 32.37 2009 69.64 32.59 2008 70.02 31.76 2007 70.38 33.47 2006 70.93 34.27 2005 71.35 34.66 2004 71.82 35.51 2003 72.29 35.90 2002 72.79 35.96 2001 73.31 35.27 2000 73.78 35.67
03In context
Bhutan beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Bhutan and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 China | 60th | 61.57 | 51.23 | 4.615 | 33.4 |
| Bhutan | =72nd | 62.73 | 48.31 | 3.227 | 69.03 |
 India | =99th | 53.31 | 61.83 | 4.219 | 71.58 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Bhutan in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Bhutan is ahead of the world, and behind
27 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median8
Statistics on which Bhutan does better than the middle country measured.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8850.0074.885▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 0.007 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.565.05612.56No earlier reading
Bhutan: 5.056 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 71st of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8113.8341.81No earlier reading
Bhutan: 13.83 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 167th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3143▼ Worsened since 2015
Bhutan: 14 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6664.8261.66▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 64.82 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 182 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3656.753.36▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 56.7 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 67th of 182 · derived.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1621.4219.16No earlier reading
Bhutan: 21.42 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 70th of 179 · derived.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.3270.337▼ Worsened since 2018
Bhutan: 0.327 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 42nd of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median11
Statistics on which Bhutan does worse than the middle country measured.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.520.575No earlier reading
Bhutan: 0.52 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6361,3521,636▲ Improved since 2018
Bhutan: 1,352 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 45th of 75 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38433,51747,384▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 33,517 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 101st of 168 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8317.0512.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Bhutan: 17.05 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 63rd of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.928.445.9No earlier reading
Bhutan: 28.4 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1611.3722.16▼ Worsened since 2015
Bhutan: 11.37 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 126th of 182 · derived.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3120.5414.31▼ Worsened since 2018
Bhutan: 20.54 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 29th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7421,9906,742▲ Improved since 2015
Bhutan: 1,990 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 119th of 151 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0714.8532.07No earlier reading
Bhutan: 14.85 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 986098No real change since 2015
Bhutan: 60 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8615.535.86▼ Worsened since 2018
Bhutan: 15.5 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 84th of 86 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Bhutan: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8954.738.89No real change since 2015
Bhutan: 54.7 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 1st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8469.5131.84No real change since 2015
Bhutan: 69.51 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 33rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3842.3714.38Moved since 2015
Bhutan: 42.37 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 35th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0112.9915.01No earlier reading
Bhutan: 12.99 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 74th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8815.8818.88Moved since 2015
Bhutan: 15.88 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 133rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5141.7559.51Moved since 2015
Bhutan: 41.75 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 147th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95179.61657.95Moved since 2014
Bhutan: 179.61 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
No current reading for Bhutan
Compliance with Labour Rights, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Informal Employment Rate, Low Pay Rate (last 2022), Share of Temporary Employees (last 2011) and Trade Union Density. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Bhutan’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Bhutan’s 8th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy1st of 1652/3 keys
- Poverty & Inequality10th of 1593/3 keys
- Peace & Security28th of 1773/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions51st of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties71st of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation68th of 1762/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience76th of 1933/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 72nd of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability87th of 1864/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture88th of 1843/4 keys
- Digital & Technology111th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 118th of 2003/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge120th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 122nd of 1834/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital133rd of 1963/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Bhutan can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysHighest in Southern Asia
Maldives=64th4/4 keysThis page
Bhutan=72nd4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Bhutan and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Bhutan on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Bhutan rank on work & labour?
Bhutan is placed joint 72nd of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Bhutan?
62.73 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Bhutan?
48.31 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Bhutan compare with India on work & labour?
India is placed joint 99th of 182, and Bhutan joint 72nd. Employment-to-Population Ratio: India 53.31, Bhutan 62.73; Labour Income Share: India 61.83, Bhutan 48.31; Unemployment Rate: India 4.219, Bhutan 3.227; Vulnerable Employment: India 71.58, Bhutan 69.03.
How have Bhutan’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 68.72 in 2000 to 62.73 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 50.71 in 2004 to 48.31 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 1.655 in 2000 to 3.227 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 73.78 in 2000 to 69.03 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Bhutan?
No current reading is published for Bhutan on Compliance with Labour Rights, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Informal Employment Rate, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees and Trade Union Density. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 27 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Bhutan’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Bhutan (banner) — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Bhutan: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/bhutan/work