Economy Of Bhutan - Bhutan Information

Translation Services » Country Guides A - N » Bhutan

Choose the first letter to select required country:

Economy Of Bhutan
Bhutan Information - Country Guides

Economy overview	The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 90% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes 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 the visits of upscale, environmentally conscientious visitors. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
GDP	purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate	7.7% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 45% industry: 10% services: 45% (2002 est.)
Investment gross fixed
Population below poverty line	NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: na highest 10%: na
Distribution of family income - Gini index
Inflation rate consumer prices	3% (2002 est.)
Labor force	NA note: massive lack of skilled labor (1997 est.)
Labor force by occupation	agriculture 93%, industry and commerce 2%, services 5%
Unemployment rate	NA
Budget	revenues: $146 million note: the government of india finances nearly three-fifths of bhutan's budget expenditures (fy95/96 est.) expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of na
Public debt
Agriculture products	rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Industries	cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Industrial production growth rate	9.3% (1996 est.)
Electricity production	1.896 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity production by source	fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 99.9% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity consumption	379.5 million kWh (2001)
Electricity exports	1.4 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity imports	16 million kWh (2001)
Oil production	0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil consumption	1,020 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil exports	NA (2001)
Oil imports	NA (2001)
Oil proved reserves
Natural gas production
Natural gas consumption
Natural gas exports
Natural gas imports
Natural gas proved reserves
Current account balance
Exports	$154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)
Exports commodities	electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
Exports partners	Bangladesh 60.5%, US 11.7%, Malaysia 5.7% (2003)
Imports	$196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.)
Imports commodities	fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Imports partners	Japan 36.6%, Austria 14.2%, Sweden 8.3%, China 7.5%, Thailand 6%, Bangladesh 6%, Germany 5.5%, Italy 4% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange gold
Debt external	$245 million (2000)
Economic aid recipient	substantial aid from India and other nations
Currency	ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
Currency code	BTN; INR
Exchange rates	ngultrum per US dollar - 46.5806 (2003), 48.6103 (2002), 47.1864 (2001), 44.9416 (2000), 43.0554 (1999)
Fiscal year	1 July - 30 June

Bhutanese Flag Map Of Bhutan Dzongkha language

Economy Of BhutanBhutan Information - Country Guides

Economy Of Bhutan
Bhutan Information - Country Guides