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’s hydropower exports comprise 40% of total exports and 25% of GDP. Bhutan currently taps only 6.5% of its 24,000-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. 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
5.3% (2016 est.)
Labor Force by Occupation
Agriculture: 58%
Industry: 20%
Services: 22% (2015 est.)
Unemployment Rate
2.6% (2014 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line
13.3% (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: $650.9 million
Expenditures: $713.7 million
Note: the government of India finances nearly one-quarter of Bhutan's budget expenditures (2016 est.)
Public Debt
91.5% of GDP (2015 est.)
Central Bank Discount Rate
NA%
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Stock of Narrow Money
$669.9 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Broad Money
$1.174 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Domestic Credit
$1.031 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
$283.4 million (31 December 2012)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Debt External
$1.955 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
$238 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
Exchange Rates
53.44 (2012 est.)
