Bhutan (Kingdom of Bhutan)

https://www.humantruth.info/bhutan.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

Bhutan Kingdom of Bhutan
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	112nd best
Capital	Thimphu
Land Area	38 394km²₁
Location	Asia
Population	0.8m₂
Life Expectancy	71.82yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$9 438 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	BT, BTN, 64₅
Internet Domain	.bt₆
Currency	Ngultrum (BTN)₇
Telephone	+975₈

1. Overview

#buddhism #nepal

“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 order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty to allow Bhutan greater autonomy in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate policy decisions in this area with New Delhi. Elections for seating the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008; the king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. The disposition of some 40,000 Bhutanese refugees - housed in two UN refugee camps in Nepal - remains unresolved.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Bhutan is no ordinary place. It is a Himalayan kingdom with a reputation for mystery and magic, where a traditional Buddhist culture carefully embraces global developments. Bhutan holds many surprises. It´s a country where the rice is red and where chillies aren´t just a seasoning but the main ingredient. It´s also a deeply Buddhist land, where monasteries are part of the mainstream, and where giant protective penises are painted beside the entrance to many houses. ... You will find the Bhutanese well educated, fun loving and vibrant.
[It has an] amazing Himalayan landscape, where snowcapped peaks rise above shadowy gorges cloaked in primeval forests. Taking up prime positions in this picture-book landscape are the majestic, fortress-like dzongs and monasteries. This unique architecture embodies Buddhist culture and sets the scene for spectacular tsechus (dance festivals). Then there are the textiles and handicrafts, outrageous archery competitions, high-altitude trekking trails, and stunning flora and fauna.”
"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Bhutan National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better Value₁₁
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
124=	Morocco	0.683
125	El Salvador	0.675
126	Nicaragua	0.667
127	Bhutan	0.666
128	Cape Verde	0.662
129	Bangladesh	0.661
130	Tuvalu	0.641
131	Marshall Islands	0.639
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $₁₁
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
110	Iraq	$9 977
111	Jordan	$9 924
112	Lebanon	$9 526
113	Bhutan	$9 438
114	Philippines	$8 920
115	Jamaica	$8 834
116	Guatemala	$8 723
117	Namibia	$8 634
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Denmark	27.4
2	Norway	27.6
3	Sweden	30.4
	...
109	El Salvador	91.6
110	Belize	91.9
111	Nepal	93.6
112	Bhutan	94.3
113	Paraguay	96.3
114	Kiribati	97.2
115	Suriname	97.3
116	Brunei	97.3
	Asia Avg	92.0
	World Avg	89.7
q=198.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Bhutan's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Bhutan's population is predicted to rise to 899 053 by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.40. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population₂
Pos.		2018 Population₂
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
159	Fiji	0.9m
160	Comoros	0.8m
161	Guyana	0.8m
162	Bhutan	0.8m
163	Solomon Islands	0.7m
164	Montenegro	0.6m
165	Luxembourg	0.6m
166	Suriname	0.6m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
93	Syria	72.1
94	Armenia	72.0
95	Libya	71.9
96	Bhutan	71.8
97	Bulgaria	71.8
98	Georgia	71.7
99	St Kitts & Nevis	71.7
100	Ukraine	71.6
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2022₁₄
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
104=	Austria	1.41
104=	Norway	1.41
104=	Estonia	1.41
107	Bhutan	1.40
108	Switzerland	1.39
109	St Lucia	1.39
110	Turkmenistan	2.62
111	Bahamas	1.38
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₅
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₅
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
74	S. Africa	10.5
75	Bangladesh	10.6
76=	Nepal	10.8
76=	Bhutan	10.8
76=	Micronesia	10.8
79	Honduras	11.0
80=	Turkmenistan	11.0
80=	Maldives	11.0
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants₁₆
Pos.		2017 %₁₆
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
73	S. Sudan	6.7%
74	Grenada	6.6%
75	Armenia	6.5%
76	Bhutan	6.5%
77	Macedonia	6.3%
78	Finland	6.2%
79	Marshall Islands	6.2%
80	Turkey	6.0%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants₁₇
Pos.		2010 %₁₇
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
89	Guinea-Bissau	6.8%
90	Slovenia	6.5%
91	Kiribati	6.5%
92	Bhutan	6.3%
93	Tunisia	6.3%
94	Finland	6.2%
95	Singapore	6.1%
96	Guatemala	6.1%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Bhutan's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #tolerance #women

Compared to Asia (2025)₁₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₈
1	Taiwan	23.7
2	Japan	38.8
3	Cyprus	42.8
	...
26	Jordan	104.4
27	Cambodia	107.7
28	Kuwait	108.9
29	Bhutan	109.9
30	Indonesia	110.2
31=	Maldives	112.0
32	Bangladesh	113.8
33	Laos	114.0
34	Northern Cyprus	115.0
	Asia Avg	103.0
q=52.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₈
1	Sweden	8.5
2	Denmark	13.5
3	Norway	13.5
	...
136	Palau	109.0
137	Togo	109.1
138	St Kitts & Nevis	109.5
139	Bhutan	109.9
140	Indonesia	110.2
141=	Maldives	112.0
141=	Marshall Islands	112.0
143	Algeria	113.1
	World Avg	87.8
q=200.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway₁₉. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, The Vatican City and Sudan₁₉.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are statistics on supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₉, whereas the worst are Melanesia, The Middle East and Micronesia₁₉.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Press Freedom Lower is better₂₀
Pos.		2013₂₀
1	Finland	638
2	Netherlands	648
3	Norway	652
	...
78	Benin	2833
79	Dominican Rep.	2834
80	Lesotho	2836
81	Bhutan	2842
82	Togo	2845
83	Greece	2846
84	Kosovo	2847
85	Guinea	2849
	Asia Avg	4378
	World Avg	3249
q=178.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better₂₁
Pos.		2014 Rank₂₁
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
77=	Paraguay	77
77=	Mexico	77
79	Trinidad & Tobago	79
80=	Bhutan	79
80=	Benin	79
82	Brazil	82
83	Tajikistan	83
84	Nepal	84
	Asia Avg	94.6
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
82	Lesotho	2.5
83=	Namibia	2.5
83=	Brazil	2.5
83=	Bhutan	2.5
86	Liberia	3.0
87=	Peru	3.0
87=	Paraguay	3.0
87=	Malawi	3.0
	Asia Avg	5.0
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better₂₂
Pos.		2009 Treaties₂₂
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
187	Singapore	5
188=	Nauru	5
189	Marshall Islands	4
190=	Myanmar (Burma)	4
190=	Palau	4
190=	Malaysia	4
193	Bhutan	3
194=	Kiribati	3
	Asia Avg	12.7
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better₂₃
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty₂₃
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
150	Georgia	12.77
151	Suriname	12.81
152	Andorra	12.91
153	Bhutan	13.01
154	Swaziland	13.16
155	Equatorial Guinea	13.18
156	Vanuatu	13.21
157	Guinea-Bissau	13.23
	Asia Avg	10.97
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Gender Equality:

The 1950s saw a late rush of 43 countries, including Bhutan and many developing nations, move to cease preventing women from voting. Bhutan is an unequal country, with male rights dominating those of women.

See:

"Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree

Gender Inequality Lower is better₂₄
Pos.		2015₂₄
1	Switzerland	0.04
2	Denmark	0.04
3	Netherlands	0.04
	...
107	Dominican Rep.	0.47
108	Namibia	0.47
109	Burundi	0.47
110	Bhutan	0.48
111	Jordan	0.48
112	Cambodia	0.48
113	Morocco	0.49
114	Guatemala	0.49
	Asia Avg	0.36
	World Avg	0.36
q=159.

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
94=	Lebanon	1952
95	Guyana	1953
96=	Mexico	1953
96=	Bhutan	1953
96=	Syria	1953
99	Colombia	1954
100=	Belize	1954
100=	Ghana	1954
	Asia Avg	1907
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

LGBT Equality Higher is better₂₅
Pos.		2017 Score₂₅
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
	...
156=	Maldives	-19
156=	Afghanistan	-19
158	Liberia	-20
159=	Bhutan	-20
159=	Burundi	-20
161	Nigeria	-22
162=	Malawi	-22
162=	Uganda	-22
	Asia Avg	-02.1
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better₂₆
Pos.		2021₂₆
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
	...
41	Uruguay	2.3
42=	Marshall Islands	2.3
43	Seychelles	2.3
44=	Bhutan	2.5
44=	Kenya	2.5
44=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.5
44=	Romania	2.5
44=	Fiji	2.5
	Asia Avg	3.7
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Bhutan's Health

#alcohol #bhutan #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #vaccines

Compared to Asia (2020)₂₇
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₇
1	Maldives	41.7
2	Sri Lanka	43.1
3	Malaysia	53.1
4	Bhutan	57.9
5	Hong Kong	58.0
6	Kuwait	58.1
7	Bangladesh	58.5
8	Brunei	59.1
9	N. Korea	60.0
10	Singapore	60.3
11	Saudi Arabia	63.0
12	Qatar	64.6
13	Nepal	65.0
	Asia Avg	80.9
q=50.

Health (2020)₂₇
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₇
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Maldives	41.7
3	Sri Lanka	43.1
4	Liechtenstein	50.0
5	Malaysia	53.1
6	Bhutan	57.9
7	Hong Kong	58.0
8	Kuwait	58.1
9	Bangladesh	58.5
10	Brunei	59.1
11	N. Korea	60.0
12	Singapore	60.3
	World Avg	95.1
q=198.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, The Maldives and Sri Lanka₂₈. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, The Marshall Islands and Nigeria₂₈.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean₂₈, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia₂₈.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Bhutan does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Bhutan comes in the best 20 in terms of its alcohol consumption rate₂₉. It does better than average in its smoking rate₃₀, its immunizations take-up₃₁, its adolescent birth rate₂₄ and in its average life expectancy₁₁. But, things could still be better. Bhutan does worse than average in its fertility rate₁₄. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Bhutan improved by +15.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, almost double the global average of +7.9yrs. Bhutan is amongst only 41 countries who have seen their fertility rate drop by more than 4 since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 6.7 in 1960.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
93	Syria	72.1
94	Armenia	72.0
95	Libya	71.9
96	Bhutan	71.8
97	Bulgaria	71.8
98	Georgia	71.7
99	St Kitts & Nevis	71.7
100	Ukraine	71.6
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₂₉
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₂₉
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
15=	Djibouti	0.5
15=	Niger	0.5
15=	Sudan	0.5
18	Bhutan	0.6
19=	Morocco	0.6
20	Jordan	0.7
21=	Senegal	0.7
22	Oman	0.8
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2022₁₄
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
104=	Austria	1.41
104=	Norway	1.41
104=	Estonia	1.41
107	Bhutan	1.40
108	Switzerland	1.39
109	St Lucia	1.39
110	Turkmenistan	2.62
111	Bahamas	1.38
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better₃₀
Pos.		2014₃₀
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
30	Benin	122
31	Zimbabwe	134
32	Mauritania	135
33	Bhutan	155
34	Chad	156
35	Zambia	165
36	Gambia	166
37	Paraguay	166
	Asia Avg	1 035
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Overweight Adults Lower is better₃₂
Pos.		2016 %₃₂
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
25	Guinea	26.6
26	Equatorial Guinea	26.7
27=	Comoros	27.1
27=	Bhutan	27.1
29	Japan	27.2
30	Angola	27.5
31	Philippines	27.6
32=	Sierra Leone	27.7
	Asia Avg	44.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₂₄
Pos.		2015 Per 1000₂₄
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
61	Serbia	19.0
62	Slovakia	20.2
63	Brunei	21.0
64	Bhutan	21.4
65	Djibouti	21.5
66	Albania	21.7
67=	Moldova	22.6
67=	USA	22.6
	Asia Avg	29.9
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better₃₁
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₁
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
56=	Qatar	95.6
56=	Armenia	95.6
58	Uruguay	95.6
59	Bhutan	95.6
60	Turkey	95.5
61	Malta	95.5
62	Botswana	95.4
63	Gambia	95.4
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Bhutan's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #food #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2023)₃₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₃
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Sri Lanka	49.0
	...
28	Israel	92.0
29	Turkey	92.2
30	Pakistan	92.4
31	Bhutan	92.7
32	Myanmar (Burma)	93.3
33	Kazakhstan	95.4
34	Azerbaijan	99.3
35	Russia	99.4
36	Kyrgyzstan	103.8
	Asia Avg	88.8
q=51.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)₃₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₃
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
118	Turkey	92.2
119	Cape Verde	92.3
120	Pakistan	92.4
121	Bhutan	92.7
122	Bahamas	93.0
123	Angola	93.2
124	Myanmar (Burma)	93.3
125	Kazakhstan	95.4
	World Avg	85.7
q=188.

Bhutan is positioned 121st in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 4 data sets. Bhutan does better than average in terms of reducing annual meat consumption per person₃₄ and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₃₅. And finally, it does worse than average in terms of how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity and in its environmental performance₃₆.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better₃₅
Pos.		Total₃₅
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
52	Poland	4.6%
53	Macedonia	4.6%
54	Palau	4.6%
55	Bhutan	4.5%
56	Morocco	4.2%
57	Lebanon	3.8%
58	Bosnia & Herzegovina	3.6%
59	Djibouti	3.6%
	Asia Avg	3.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better₃₆
Pos.		2018₃₆
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
128	Guyana	47.9
129	Tajikistan	47.9
130	Kenya	47.3
131	Bhutan	47.2
132	Vietnam	47.0
133	Indonesia	46.9
134	Guinea	46.6
135	Mozambique	46.4
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
123	Israel	1995 Nov 05
124	Algeria	1995 Nov 12
125	Morocco	1995 Nov 19
126=	Bhutan	1995 Nov 23
126=	Mozambique	1995 Nov 23
128	Solomon Islands	1996 Jan 01
129	Togo	1996 Jan 02
130	Botswana	1996 Jan 10
	Asia Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Meat Consumption Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2021 kg₃₄
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
19	Ivory Coast	12.6
20	Cambodia	12.6
21	N. Korea	12.8
22	Bhutan	13.6
23	Cameroon	14.6
24	Guinea-Bissau	14.7
25	Djibouti	14.8
26	Benin	15.6
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

7. Bhutan's Modernity and Learning

#bhutan #education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)₃₇
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₇
1	Taiwan	10.0
2	Japan	21.0
3	S. Korea	23.6
	...
40	Turkmenistan	105.3
41	Bangladesh	109.1
42	Nepal	109.8
43	Bhutan	112.3
44	Laos	113.4
45	Iraq	121.8
46	Syria	123.5
47	Myanmar (Burma)	127.0
48	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	129.0
	Asia Avg	78.3
q=51.

Modernity & Learning (2020)₃₇
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₇
1	Finland	7.7
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	14.7
	...
147	Nepal	109.8
148=	El Salvador	110.8
148=	Guatemala	110.8
150	Bhutan	112.3
151	Rwanda	112.3
152	Laos	113.4
153	Suriname	114.4
154	Senegal	115.3
	World Avg	82.7
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

In the 2000s, Bhutan increased its expected duration of education by almost 4 years, the eight-highest rise of any country in that decade. ₃₈

Secondary Education Higher is better₃₉
Pos.		2018₃₉
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
161	Tanzania	14.3%
162	Mali	13.1%
163	Papua New Guinea	12.5%
164	Bhutan	12.0%
165	Guinea	11.7%
166	Burundi	9.3%
167	Burkina Faso	8.8%
168	Niger	6.6%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better₄₀
Pos.		2021 Years₄₀
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
99	Malaysia	13.3
100	Dominica	13.3
101	Andorra	13.3
102	Bhutan	13.2
103	Turkmenistan	13.2
104	Kyrgyzstan	13.2
105	Philippines	13.1
106	Armenia	13.1
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better₄₁
Pos.		2016₄₁
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
122	Guyana	40%
123	Grenada	39%
124	El Salvador	38%
125	Bhutan	37%
126	Mongolia	36%
127	India	35%
128	Kyrgyzstan	34%
129	Egypt	33%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better₄₂
Pos.		2017 Ratio₄₂
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
55	Nauru	0.5
56	Egypt	0.4
57	Mexico	0.4
58	Bhutan	0.4
59	China	0.3
60	Iceland	0.3
61	Turkey	0.3
62=	Uruguay	0.3
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#corruption #happiness #politics

Bhutan has a good long-term record on keeping corruption low, and has spent the last ten years making things even better.

Corruption Higher is better₄₃
Pos.		2022 Points₄₃
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
23	Seychelles	70.0
24	USA	69.0
25=	Taiwan	68.0
25=	Bhutan	68.0
27	UAE	67.0
28=	Chile	67.0
29	Barbados	65.0
30	Bahamas	64.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better₄₄
Pos.		2018 Score₄₄
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
94	Mongolia	5.1
95	Vietnam	5.1
96	Indonesia	5.1
97	Bhutan	5.1
98	Somalia	5.0
99	Cameroon	5.0
100	Bulgaria	4.9
101	Nepal	4.9
	Asia Avg	5.29
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better₄₅
Pos.		2023 Score₄₅
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
14	Croatia	1.45
15	Germany	1.46
16	Netherlands	1.49
17	Bhutan	1.50
18	Hungary	1.51
19	Malaysia	1.51
20	Belgium	1.52
21	Qatar	1.52
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better₄₆
Pos.		2019 Score₄₆
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
11	Costa Rica	0.00
12	Romania	0.00
13	El Salvador	0.00
14	Bhutan	0.01
15=	Trinidad & Tobago	0.02
15=	Uzbekistan	0.02
17	Qatar	0.03
18=	Iceland	0.03
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₄₇
Pos.		2019₄₇
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
119	Tajikistan	16.70
120=	Dominican Rep.	17.00
120=	Sao Tome & Principe	17.00
122	Bhutan	17.10
123=	Venezuela	17.10
124	Bangladesh	17.30
125	Nepal	17.50
126	Cambodia	18.10
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₄₈
Pos.		2023 %₄₈
1	Slovakia	24.1%₄₉
2	Slovenia	24.3%₄₉
3	Belarus	24.4%₅₀
	...
19	Armenia	27.9%₅₁
20	Denmark	28.3%₄₉
21=	Poland	28.5%₄₉
21=	Bhutan	28.5%₅₁
23	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	28.7%₅₂
24	Croatia	28.9%₄₉
25	Kosovo	29.0%₅₃
26=	Kazakhstan	29.2%₄₉
	Asia Avg	33.0%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Income inequality data is rarely available for Bhutan - only for 4 years between 1980 and 2019.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better₅₄
Pos.		2018 Severity₅₄
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
59	Cambodia	.170
60	Namibia	.171
61	Vanuatu	.174
62	Bhutan	.175
63	Myanmar (Burma)	.176
64	Kenya	.178
65	Comoros	.181
66	Bangladesh	.198
	Asia Avg	.084
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₅₅:

Christian	0.5%
Muslim	0.2%
Hindu	22.6%
Buddhist	74.7%
Folk Religion	1.9%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	0.1%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%₅₆.

Links:

A List of All Religions and Belief Systems