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South Asia :: Bhutan

- ## Introduction :: BHUTAN

- 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 to Bhutan the areas annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations.
  In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which introduced major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be "guided by" India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. Elections for seating the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008; the king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following parliamentary elections in 2013, which routed the incumbent party. The disposition of some 23,000 Nepali Bhutanese refugees who fled or were forced out of Bhutan in the 1990s - housed in two UN refugee camps in Nepal - remains unresolved.

- ## Geography :: BHUTAN

- Location:
  Southern Asia, between China and India
  Geographic coordinates:
  27 30 N, 90 30 E
  Map references:
  Asia
  Area:
  total: 38,394 sq km
  land: 38,394 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Area - comparative:
  about one-half the size of Indiana
  Land boundaries:
  total: 1,136 km
  border countries (2): China 477 km, India 659 km
  Coastline:
  0 km (landlocked)
  Maritime claims:
  none (landlocked)
  Climate:
  varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
  Terrain:
  mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Drangeme Chhu 97 m
  highest point: Gangkar Puensum 7,570 m
  Natural resources:
  timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 13.6%
  arable land 2.6%; permanent crops 0.3%; permanent pasture 10.7%
  forest: 85.5%
  other: 0.9% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  319.1 sq km (2010)
  Total renewable water resources:
  78 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.34 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%)
  per capita: 458 cu m/yr (2008)
  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
  Environment - current issues:
  soil erosion; limited access to potable water
  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
  Geography - note:
  landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes

- ## People and Society :: BHUTAN

- Nationality:
  noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)
  adjective: Bhutanese
  Ethnic groups:
  Ngalop (also known as Bhote) 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
  Languages:
  Sharchhopka 28%, Dzongkha (official) 24%, Lhotshamkha 22%, other 26% (includes foreign languages) (2005 est.)
  Religions:
  Lamaistic Buddhist 75.3%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 22.1%, other 2.6% (2005 est.)
  Population:
  741,919
  note: the Factbook population estimate is consistent with the first modern census of Bhutan, conducted in 2005; previous Factbook population estimates for Bhutan, 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 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 166
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 26.76% (male 101,418/female 97,132)
  15-24 years: 19.68% (male 74,373/female 71,600)
  25-54 years: 41.6% (male 164,520/female 144,089)
  55-64 years: 5.85% (male 23,271/female 20,144)
  65 years and over: 6.12% (male 23,754/female 21,618) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 46.9%
  youth dependency ratio: 39.5%
  elderly dependency ratio: 7.4%
  potential support ratio: 13.4% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 26.7 years
  male: 27.2 years
  female: 26.1 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.11% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  Birth rate:
  17.78 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 106
  Death rate:
  6.69 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 38.6% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 3.69% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  THIMPHU (capital) 152,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.14 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 35.91 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 36.27 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 35.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 61
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 69.51 years
  male: 68.56 years
  female: 70.51 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Total fertility rate:
  1.97 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 128
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  65.6% (2010)
  Health expenditures:
  3.6% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Physicians density:
  0.26 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
  Hospital bed density:
  1.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 77.9% of population
  rural: 33.1% of population
  total: 50.4% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 22.1% of population
  rural: 66.9% of population
  total: 49.6% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.13% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 110
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  600 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 123
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: high
  food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
  vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  5.9% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 154
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  12.8% (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 59
  Education expenditures:
  5.5% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 64.9%
  male: 73.1%
  female: 55% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 13 years
  male: 13 years
  female: 13 years (2012)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 25,801
  percentage: 18% (2010 est.)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 7.2%
  male: 7.3%
  female: 7.2% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 119

- ## Government :: BHUTAN

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
  conventional short form: Bhutan
  local long form: Druk Gyalkhap
  local short form: Druk Yul
  Government type:
  constitutional monarchy
  Capital:
  name: Thimphu
  geographic coordinates: 27 28 N, 89 38 E
  time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  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
  Independence:
  1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king)
  National holiday:
  National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
  Constitution:
  previous (various royal decrees); first constitution drafted November 2001 - March 2005, ratified 18 July 2008 (2011)
  Legal system:
  civil law based on Buddhist religious law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  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 2-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 his father
  head of government: Prime Minister Tshering TOBGAY (since July 2013)
  cabinet: Council of Ministers or Lhengye Zhungtshog members nominated by the monarch in consultation with the prime minister and approved by the National Assembly; members serve 5-year tern
  elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary, but can be removed by a two-third vote of Parliament; leader of the majority party in Parliament is nominated as the prime minister, appointed by the monarch
  Legislative branch:
  description: bicameral Parliament or Chi Tshog consists of the non-partisan National Council or Gyelyong Tshogde (25 seats; 20 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 5 members appointed by the king; members serve 4-year terms) and the National Assembly or Tshogdu (47 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)
  elections: National Council election last held on 23 April 2013 (next to be held in 2017); National Assembly election (first round) held on 31 May 2013; second round on 13 July 2013
  election results: National Council - independents 20; note - all candidates required to run as independents; National Assembly - first round poll held on 31 May 2013 - percent of vote by party - DPT 44.52%; PDP 32.53%; DNT 17.04%; DCT 5.9%; second round poll held on 13 July 2013 - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.88%, DPT 45.12%; seats by party - PDP 32, DPT 15
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice); note - the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
  judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
  subordinate courts: High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party or BNK [Sonam TOBGAY]
  Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT [Jigme THINLEY]
  Druck Chirwang Tshogpa or DCT
  Druk Nymrub Tshogpa or DNT
  People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tshering TOBGAY]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Druk National Congress (exiled)
  United Front for Democracy (exiled)
  other: Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepali-Bhutanese organizations (exiled); Indian merchant community
  International organization participation:
  ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  none; note - the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular jurisdiction in the US; the permanent representative to the UN is Kunzang C. NAMGYEL (since February 2014); address: 343 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551
  consulate(s) general: New York
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although frequent informal contact is maintained via the US embasssy in New Delhi (India) and Bhutan's Permanent Mission to the UN
  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; the dragon, called the Druk (Thunder Dragon), is the emblem of the nation; its white color stands for purity and the jewels in its claws symbolize wealth; the background colors represent spiritual and secular powers within Bhutan: the orange is associated with Buddhism, while the yellow denotes the ruling dynasty
  National symbol(s):
  thunder dragon known as Druk Gyalpo; national colors: orange, yellow
  National anthem:
  name: "Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom)
  lyrics/music: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI
  note: adopted 1953

- ## Economy :: BHUTAN

- Economy - overview:
  Bhutan's economy, small and less developed, is based largely on hydropower, agriculture, and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than half of the population. Because rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive, industrial production is primarily of the cottage industry type. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and is dependent on India for financial assistance and migrant laborers for development projects, especially for road construction. Multilateral development organizations administer most educational, social, and environment programs, and take 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. Complicated controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Bhutan’s largest export - hydropower to India - could spur sustainable growth in the coming years if Bhutan resolves chronic delays in construction. Bhutan currently taps only 5% of its 30,000-megawatt hydropower potential and is behind schedule in building 12 new hydropower dams with a combined capacity of 10,000 megawatts by 2020 in accordance with a deal signed in 2008 with India. The high volume of imported materials to build hydropower plants has expanded Bhutan's trade and current account deficits. However, Bhutan and India in April 2014 agreed to begin four additional hydropower projects, which would generate 2,120 megawatts in total. A declining GDP growth rate in each of the past three years in the absence of new hydropower facilities has constrained Bhutan’s ability to institute economic reforms. Bhutan inked a pact in December 2014 to expand duty-free trade with Bangladesh, the only trade partner with which Bhutan enjoys a surplus.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $5.855 billion (2014 est.)
  $5.505 billion (2013 est.)
  $5.245 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 170
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $2.092 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  6.4% (2014 est.)
  5% (2013 est.)
  6.5% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 27
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $7,600 (2014 est.)
  $7,200 (2013 est.)
  $6,800 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Gross national saving:
  22.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
  28.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
  26.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 39%
  government consumption: 20.6%
  investment in fixed capital: 71.4%
  investment in inventories: 0%
  exports of goods and services: 36.4%
  imports of goods and services: -67.5%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 14.4%
  industry: 41.6%
  services: 44% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  rice, corn, root crops, citrus; dairy products, eggs
  Industries:
  cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism
  Industrial production growth rate:
  8% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 23
  Labor force:
  345,800
  note: major shortage of skilled labor (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 56%
  industry: 22%
  services: 22% (2013 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  3.2% (2014 est.)
  2.1% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 20
  Population below poverty line:
  12% (2012 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 2.3%
  highest 10%: 37.6% (2003)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  38.7 (2012)
  38.1 (2007)
  country comparison to the world: 70
  Budget:
  revenues: $407.1 million
  expenditures: $614 million
  note: the government of India finances nearly one-quarter of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  19.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -9.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Public debt:
  91.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
  97% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 21
  Fiscal year:
  1 July - 30 June
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  7.7% (2014 est.)
  8.8% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Central bank discount rate:
  NA%
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  14% (31 December 2014 est.)
  14% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 49
  Stock of narrow money:
  $636 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $550.6 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  Stock of broad money:
  $1.099 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  $1.062 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $796.1 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $726.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $320 million (31 December 2013)
  $283.4 million (31 December 2012)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  Current account balance:
  -$459 million (2014 est.)
  -$553.3 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Exports:
  $650.3 million (2014 est.)
  $352 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 170
  Exports - commodities:
  electricity (to India), ferrosilicon, cement, calcium carbide, copper wire, manganese, vegetable oil
  Exports - partners:
  India 83.8%, Hong Kong 10.8% (2013 est.)
  Imports:
  $980.6 million (2014 est.)
  $905.3 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Imports - commodities:
  fuel and lubricants, passenger cars, machinery and parts, fabrics, rice
  Imports - partners:
  India 72.3%, South Korea 6% (2013 est.)
  Debt - external:
  $1.707 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.578 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $173.7 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $131.7 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 109
  Exchange rates:
  ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar -
  60.42 (2014 est.)
  58.6 (2013 est.)
  53.44 (2012 est.)
  46.67 (2011 est.)
  45.73 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: BHUTAN

- Electricity - production:
  7.55 billion kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  Electricity - consumption:
  1.841 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Electricity - exports:
  5.625 billion kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 30
  Electricity - imports:
  37 million kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  1.499 million kW (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  0.7% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 207
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 57
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  99.3% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 5
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 159
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 165
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  1,870 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  1,870 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 110
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 68
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 166
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 117
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  320,800 Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 189

- ## Communications :: BHUTAN

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 23,800
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 628,300
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 86 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 165
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services
  domestic: low teledensity; domestic service is poor especially in rural areas; mobile-cellular service, started in 2003, is now widely available
  international: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2012)
  Broadcast media:
  state-owned TV station established in 1999; cable TV service offers dozens of Indian and other international channels; first radio station, privately launched in 1973, is now state-owned; 5 private radio stations are currently broadcasting (2012)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2007)
  Television broadcast stations:
  1 (2007)
  Internet country code:
  .bt
  Internet users:
  total: 203,100
  percent of population: 27.7% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155

- ## Transportation :: BHUTAN

- Airports:
  2 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 2
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)
  Roadways:
  total: 10,578 km
  paved: 2,975 km (includes 2,180 km of natonal highways)
  unpaved: 7,603 km (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 135

- ## Military :: BHUTAN

- Military branches:
  Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2009)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; militia training is compulsory for males aged 20-25, over a 3-year period (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 202,407
  females age 16-49: 180,349 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 157,664
  females age 16-49: 144,861 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 7,363
  female: 7,095 (2010 est.)

- ## Transnational Issues :: BHUTAN

- Disputes - international:
  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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