GeoRealityMatch
Aerial photo capturing the vibrant cityscape of Thimphu, Bhutan with green-roofed buildings.Aerial view of Thimphu city nestled in Bhutan's mountain landscapes, showcasing unique architecture and scenic beauty.

Bhutan

Asia · Southern Asia

Very high safetyMedium development

It is one of the most peaceful countries. Incomes are low.

Safety

16th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
1.546lower is more peacefulVery high safety
#16 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
2.5per 100,000 people a yearModerateUNODC / World Bank · 2020
Money

Incomes below the median country

GNI per person
$4,310national income per person, US dollarsLow
World Bank · 2025

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 220% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 135% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$10K$20K$19,594 PPP$4,493Inflation, % a year12%0200620102015202020252006, $1,406 a person, $4,860 at PPP, inflation 5%2007, $1,850 a person, $5,729 at PPP, inflation 5.2%2008, $1,920 a person, $6,035 at PPP, inflation 8.3%2009, $1,918 a person, $6,466 at PPP, inflation 4.4%2010, $2,436 a person, $7,246 at PPP, inflation 7%2011, $2,788 a person, $7,935 at PPP, inflation 8.8%2012, $2,751 a person, $8,577 at PPP, inflation 10.9%2013, $2,680 a person, $8,667 at PPP, inflation 8.8%2014, $2,849 a person, $9,323 at PPP, inflation 8.3%2015, $2,954 a person, $10,214 at PPP, inflation 4.5%2016, $3,152 a person, $11,273 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2017, $3,435 a person, $11,677 at PPP, inflation 5%2018, $3,400 a person, $11,970 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2019, $3,577 a person, $12,909 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2020, $3,192 a person, $12,475 at PPP, inflation 5.6%2021, $3,571 a person, $13,459 at PPP, inflation 7.3%2022, $3,711 a person, $15,061 at PPP, inflation 5.6%2023, $3,831 a person, $16,229 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2024, $4,228 a person, $17,762 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2025, $4,493 a person, $19,594 at PPP, inflation 3.6%$0$10K$20KInflation, % a year12%0200620102015202020252006, $1,406 a person, $4,860 at PPP, inflation 5%2007, $1,850 a person, $5,729 at PPP, inflation 5.2%2008, $1,920 a person, $6,035 at PPP, inflation 8.3%2009, $1,918 a person, $6,466 at PPP, inflation 4.4%2010, $2,436 a person, $7,246 at PPP, inflation 7%2011, $2,788 a person, $7,935 at PPP, inflation 8.8%2012, $2,751 a person, $8,577 at PPP, inflation 10.9%2013, $2,680 a person, $8,667 at PPP, inflation 8.8%2014, $2,849 a person, $9,323 at PPP, inflation 8.3%2015, $2,954 a person, $10,214 at PPP, inflation 4.5%2016, $3,152 a person, $11,273 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2017, $3,435 a person, $11,677 at PPP, inflation 5%2018, $3,400 a person, $11,970 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2019, $3,577 a person, $12,909 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2020, $3,192 a person, $12,475 at PPP, inflation 5.6%2021, $3,571 a person, $13,459 at PPP, inflation 7.3%2022, $3,711 a person, $15,061 at PPP, inflation 5.6%2023, $3,831 a person, $16,229 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2024, $4,228 a person, $17,762 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2025, $4,493 a person, $19,594 at PPP, inflation 3.6%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Around the middle for life expectancy

Life expectancy
73.3years, at birthModerate
#104 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
69WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100ModerateWHO · 2023
Air pollution
24.1PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageHighWHO · 2023
Work and internet
Unemployment rate
3.2%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
English proficiency
473EF English Proficiency Index scoreLowEF EPI · 2025
Aerial view of Thimphu city nestled in Bhutan's mountain landscapes, showcasing unique architecture and scenic beauty.
How it changed

Bhutan's Human Development Index

0.698Medium human development

125th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 31st of 43 in Asia.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #123Nicaragua0.706
  2. #124Nauru0.703
  3. #125Bhutan0.698
  4. #126Eswatini0.695
  5. #126Iraq0.695
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 2010

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.593 in 2010 to 0.698 in 2023.

0.550.650.750.698201020232010: 0.5932011: 0.6032012: 0.6092013: 0.6162014: 0.6262015: 0.6372016: 0.6472017: 0.6562018: 0.6672019: 0.6802020: 0.6882021: 0.6912022: 0.6952023: 0.6980.550.650.75201020232010: 0.5932011: 0.6032012: 0.6092013: 0.6162014: 0.6262015: 0.6372016: 0.6472017: 0.6562018: 0.6672019: 0.6802020: 0.6882021: 0.6912022: 0.6952023: 0.698

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 14 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
73.3 years2024at birthUp 7.4 years from 65.9 years in 2005
Internet users
91%2024of people onlineUp 87 points from 5% in 2006
Urban population
43%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 12 points from 32% in 2006
Births per woman
1.452024births per womanDown 1.28 from 2.73 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
83%2022of energy usedDown 8 points from 91% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityUp 40 points from 60% in 2005
Infant mortality
142024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 30 from 44 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
2 t2024of CO2 per person a yearUp 1.2 t from 0.8 t in 2005
Forest area
72%2023of land under forestUp 2 points from 69% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Measures gross national happiness and limits tourism by design; a pristine Himalayan kingdom. The case for living here is peace. The case against is low incomes, polluted air and little English among locals.

About Bhutan

Bhutan is a small Himalayan kingdom that has deliberately limited tourism to protect its environment and culture, resulting in an extraordinary state of preservation, both natural and cultural. The landscape is dominated by dramatic mountain scenery, ancient fortresses called dzongs, and dense forests, and the national philosophy of Gross National Happiness shapes a pace of life that feels intentional and grounded. It is a destination for those who value depth over convenience.

Practical facts

  • CapitalThimphu
  • LanguagesDzongkha
  • CurrencyBhutanese ngultrum (BTN)
  • Area38,140 km²
  • Plug typeType C/D/M
  • Drives on theleft
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Quick answers

What is Bhutan's Human Development Index?

Bhutan's Human Development Index is 0.698 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #125 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Bhutan safe?

Bhutan scores 1.55 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #16 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

What is life expectancy in Bhutan?

Life expectancy at birth in Bhutan is 73.3 yrs (World Bank), ranked #104 of 195 countries.