Economy Overview
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. Bhutan also is exploring energy exports to Bangladesh.
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
4.6% (2015 est.)
Labor Force by Occupation
Agriculture: 57%
Industry: 21%
Services: 22% (2014 est.)
Unemployment Rate
2.9% (2013 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line
12% (2012 est.)
Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share
Lowest 10%: 2.8%
Highest 10%: 30.6% (2012)
Distribution of Family Income Gini Index
38.1 (2007)
Budget
Revenues: $608 million
Expenditures: $692.7 million
Note: the government of India finances nearly one-quarter of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2015 est.)
Public Debt
30.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
Central Bank Discount Rate
NA%
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Stock of Narrow Money
$683.6 million (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of Broad Money
$1.184 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of Domestic Credit
$893.7 million (31 December 2014 est.)
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
$283.4 million (31 December 2012)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Debt External
$1.841 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
$204.4 million (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
Exchange Rates
46.67 (2011 est.)
