Bhutan

Name: Bhutan — country profile data
Creator: CountryReports

Capital:Thimphu

Population:699,847

Currency:Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)

Language:Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Bhutan.

Bhutan Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

Bhutan has three main ethnic groups, viz. Sharchops, Ngalongs and Lhotsampas. Bhutanese are friendly and hospitable people. Bhutan is known for handicraft items in bronze, silver and other metals. Sculpting of religious figures is widely practiced and every temple houses large brightly painted and gilded status of the Buddha and other saints. The Bhutanese way of life is greatly influenced by religion. Every Bhutanese home has a special room used for prayers which is known as chosum.

Cultural Attributes

Bhutan has three main ethnic groups, viz. Sharchops, Ngalongs and Lhotsampas. Bhutanese are friendly and hospitable people. Bhutan is known for handicraft items in bronze, silver, and other metals. Sculpting of religious figures is widely practiced and every temple houses large brightly painted and gilded statues of the Buddha and other saints. The Bhutanese way of life is greatly influenced by religion. Every Bhutanese home has a special room used for prayers which are known as chosum.

Land of the Thunder Dragon

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

In Bhutanese culture, public body contact is very limited and yet handshaking has become so common in addition to the traditional greeting of chaglen(bowing with both the palms spread over the knee, ankle and instep depending on the social and religious status of the addressee). Bhutanese have become accustomed to this western tradition and often shake hands to promote good relations on occasions such as introductions and departures.

Bhutanese men wear gho, which are longish robes tied around the waist by a cloth belt, known as kera. The women's ankle-length dress is known as kira, which is made of bright colored fine woven fabric with traditional patterns.

Diet

Staple diet is red rice, buckwheat, wheat, maize, pork, beef, chicken,

yak meat, cheese and chilies, which are taken as vegetable and not as

spice. Yak butter and cheese provide important calories in cold

highlands. Chili peppers are a favorite ingredient in Bhutanese

cuisine. Meat dishes, mainly pork, beef and yak,

are lavishly spiced with chilies, and it is common to

see bright red peppers drying on rooftops in the sun.

Emadatse (dish made of chili, cottage

cheese and herbs) is considered, unofficially, the national

dish.

Salted butter tea, or suja, is served on all social

occasions. Chang, a local beer, and arra, a spirit distilled

from rice, maize, wheat or barley, are also common and

widely favored. Doma or betel nut, is offered as a customary

gesture of greeting.

Holidays

National Day
12/17
Independence
(Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king)

Dates of Interest

December 17th
Ugyen Wangchuck became the first hereditary King of Bhutan on this date in 1907.

How do people greet each other in Bhutan?

Offer a handshake at introductions and departures to promote good relations
Use the traditional chaglen bow, adjusting to the addressee's social and religious status

Good to know

Doma, or betel nut, is offered as a customary gesture of greeting

What is dining and food like in Bhutan?

The staple diet includes red rice, buckwheat, wheat, maize, pork, beef, chicken, yak meat, cheese and chilies, with meat dishes lavishly spiced with chilies.

Good to know

Chilies are eaten as a vegetable, not just as a spice
Emadatse, made of chili, cottage cheese and herbs, is considered the unofficial national dish
Salted butter tea (suja) is served on all social occasions
Chang, a local beer, and arra, a distilled spirit, are widely favored

What should I know about etiquette and customs in Bhutan?

Bhutanese are friendly and hospitable, and their way of life is greatly influenced by religion.

Good to know

Public body contact is very limited in Bhutanese culture
Every Bhutanese home has a special prayer room known as chosum

How should I dress in Bhutan?

Traditional dress includes the gho for men and the kira for women.

Good to know

Men wear the gho, a longish robe tied at the waist with a cloth belt called kera
Women wear the ankle-length kira, made of bright, finely woven fabric with traditional patterns

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Bhutan

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency: 68.39
Time Difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate: Varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in the Himalayas
Airports: 2
Recommended Vaccinations: How important is it to do your research about vaccinations? It might just save your life! Make yourself aware of the different types of vaccinations and which ones you may need to travel to your destination. Schedule an appointment with your doctor at least four to six weeks before you travel to ensure you receive all important shots. Be sure that you and your family are up to date on your routine vaccinations. Which vaccinations you need will depend on a number of factors including your destination, whether you will be spending time in rural areas, the season of the year you are traveling, your age, health status, and previous immunizations.

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Recipes

Featured Dish

Kewa Datshi (Potatoes and Cheese)

Side Dish

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History

Historical Eras

Monyul & Early Kingdoms
500 BCE – 810
The proto-state of Lhomon or Monyul occupied the Himalayan territory of present-day Bhutan from roughly 500 BCE to 600 CE. Following the introduction of Mahayana Buddhism around the 7th century, early Buddhist temples were constructed and small independent monarchies began to emerge. Tibetan religious and cultural influence took firm hold by the 830s–840s, laying the spiritual foundation of Bhutanese civilization.
Tibetan Influence & Sectarian Rivalry
810 – 1616
Independent principalities competed for dominance while rival Buddhist subsects—including Tibetan-Mongol military incursions in the 11th century—shaped Bhutan's fragmented political landscape. The flight of Gelukpa monks from Tibet in the 1360s intensified sectarian competition, particularly between the Drukpa Kagyu and other schools. This prolonged rivalry prevented political unification and kept Bhutan vulnerable to external Tibetan interference.
Theocratic Unification
1616 – 1907
The Drukpa monk Ngawang Namgyal arrived from Tibet in 1616 and, after repelling successive Tibetan invasions between 1629 and 1647, forged a unified theocratic state known as Drukyul—Land of the Thunder Dragon. Following his death in 1651, Bhutan operated under a dual civil-religious administration combining a secular Desi with the spiritual authority of the Je Khenpo. Bhutan expanded its regional influence, bringing Cooch Behar and the Assam Duars under its sway by the 1760s, before British encroachment reshaped its borders.
British Suzerainty
1907 – 1947
Under British influence following the Treaty of Sinchulu (1865), Bhutan's dual theocratic system gave way to an absolute hereditary monarchy in 1907, with the Wangchuck family installed as Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King). A 1910 treaty formalized British direction of Bhutanese foreign affairs in exchange for non-interference in internal matters. The arrangement preserved Bhutan's de facto domestic autonomy while integrating it into Britain's broader South Asian security architecture.
Indian Partnership & Development
1947 – 2008
After Indian independence, a 1949 Indo-Bhutanese accord returned territories annexed by Britain, continued annual subsidies, and assigned India responsibility for Bhutan's defense and foreign relations. Under Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who acceded in 1972, Bhutan pursued cautious modernization while preserving its Gross National Happiness philosophy and Buddhist cultural identity. Tensions emerged over the expulsion of ethnic Nepali Lhotshampas in the early 1990s, leaving roughly 100,000 refugees in UNHCR camps in Nepal.
Constitutional Monarchy
2008 – present
Bhutan transitioned from absolute to constitutional monarchy in 2008 when Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was crowned and the country held its first national parliamentary elections under a new written constitution. The document established a bicameral parliament, an independent judiciary, and multi-party democracy while retaining the monarchy as the unifying institution. Bhutan continues to balance development with environmental conservation and cultural preservation, maintaining its distinctive Gross National Happiness framework as a guiding national philosophy.

Overview

THE HIMALAYAN KINGDOMS of Nepal and Bhutan share a history of influence by Tibet, China, and India, and an interlude of British colonial guidance. Although the kingdoms are not contiguous, each country is bordered by China to the north and India on its other peripheries. Both kingdoms are ruled by hereditary monarchs and are traditional societies with predominantly agricultural economies; their cultures, however, differ. Nepal’s Hinduism, a legacy of India’s influence, defines its culture and caste-structured society. Bhutan’s Buddhist practices and culture reflect India’s influence by way of Tibet. The two countries’ legal systems also reflect their heritage. Nepal’s judicial system blends Hindu legal and English common law traditions. Bhutan’s legal system is based on Buddhist law and English common law. Bhutan has its own distinct history, although it shares Nepal’s Himalayan geography and neighbors. Only one-third the size of Nepal, Bhutan also has a much smaller population: estimated at about 600,000 persons in 1990 as compared to a population of over 19 million in Nepal. The precursor of Bhutan, the state of Lhomon or Monyul, was said to have existed between 500 B.C. and 600 A.D. At the end of that period, Buddhism was introduced into the country; a branch of Mahayana Buddhism is the state religion of Bhutan. Bhutan was subject to both Indian and Tibetan influences, and small independent monarchies began to develop in the country by the early ninth century. Religious rivalry among various Buddhist subsects also influenced political development; the rivalry began in the tenth century and continued through the seventeenth century, when a theocratic government independent of Tibetan political influence united the country. From that time until 1907, the Kingdom of Bhutan, or Drukyul (literally land of the Thunder Dragon), had a dual system of shared civil and spiritual (Buddhist) rule. In 1907 the absolute monarchy was established, and the hereditary position of Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King, was awarded to the powerful Wangchuck family. Since 1972, Jigme Singye Wangchuck has held the position of Druk Gyalpo. The Druk Gyalpo controls the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government. The monarchy is absolute, but the king is admired and respected and is referred to by the people as "our King." The Council of Ministers and Royal Advisory Council are part of the executive branch of government. The legislative branch is made up of the unicameral National Assembly, or Tshogdu, whose members are either indirectly elected or appointed by the Druk Gyalpo. Bhutan has neither a written constitution nor organic laws. The 1953 royal decree on the Constitution of the National Assembly is the primary legal, or constitutional, basis for that body and sets forth its rules and procedures. The Supreme Court of Appeal, in effect the Druk Gyalpo, is the highest level court; judges are appointed by the Druk Gyalpo. There are no lawyers. The civil code and criminal code are based on seventeenth-century concepts. Under Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Bhutan’s centrally controlled government system has been instrumental in initiating greater political participation. In the early 1990s, however, there were still no legal political parties--although there were elite political factions--and no national elections. There was no overt communist presence. Each family was allowed one vote in village- level elections. Local government was divided into zones, districts, subdistricts, and village groups, and meetings were regularly held at the village and block (gewog) levels, where issues were decided by public debate. The complex administrative network of consultation and decisionmaking by consensus obscured the need for national elections. At the 1992 session of the National Assembly, support for the hereditary monarchy was unanimously reaffirmed. Like Nepal, Bhutan has a diverse population. It is home to four ethnic groups: Ngalop--of Tibetan origin; Sharchop--of Indo- Mongoloid origin; aboriginal, or indigenous, tribal peoples; and Nepalese. In the early 1990s, the first three groups made up about 72 percent of the population. According to this estimate, the Nepalese comprised approximately 28 percent of the population; other estimates suggested that 30 to 40 percent might be Nepalese. The Nepalese constituted a majority in southern Bhutan, where, in an effort to maintain traditional culture and control, the government has tried to confine their immigration and restrict their residence and employment. In the early 1990s, only approximately 15 percent of the Nepalese in Bhutan were considered legal permanent residents; only those immigrants who had resided in Bhutan for fifteen or twenty years--the number of

Timeline of Key Events

500 BCE
State of Monyul established; continues to A.D. 600.
630
ca. A.D. 630-640 Early Buddhist temples built.
810
ca. 810 Independent monarchies develop.
830
830s-840s Tibetan Buddhist religion and culture firmly established.
1200
eleventh century Bhutan occupied by Tibetan-Mongol military forces.
1360
1360s Gelukpa sect monks flee to Bhutan from Tibet.
1616
Drukpa monk Ngawang Namgyal arrives from Tibet, seeking freedom from Dalai Lama.

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Interesting Facts

One of the most popular figures in Bhutanese history was Drukpa Kunley (1455-1529). Known as the “divine madman” because of his shocking behavior, Drukpa Kunley was an eccentric person. An aristocrat form the great Gya family, he refused to take his monastic vows and instead wandered the country teaching Buddhism through songs. It is difficult to attribute historical significance to DK, although every Bhutanese will place him among the most important national historical characters.
Bhutanese exchange presents as a form of etiquette. Those receiving a gift do not open it until they are alone. To do otherwise would be more than bad manners, it would imply that the recipient wants more of the same. Gifts between equals are always reciprocated. However, when a gift is of significant value and comes from a person of high status, it is reciprocated with loyalty and service rather than with a gift. Cloth is highly valued in Bhutan. Traditional gifts at funerals and other occasions are pieces of cloth, given in uneven numbers. The more cloth given, the higher the status of the giver. Money put in an envelope may be used as a substitute, along with the obligatory white scarf. The symbolic value of the scarf is of vital importance when visiting dzongs, monasteries, or taking part in official ceremonies. The act of giving a white scarf speaks louder than words and is a must for every Bhutanese at any important event. These scarves are recycled until they show signs of wear and tear.
Titles: Any Bhutanese of high status is addressed by his or her title, followed by first name or both names. Dasho refers to a male member of the royal family, to those who have been honored by the king with the red scarf, and by polite extension to senior government officials. Ashi is used with a femal member of the royal family. Lyonpo is reserved for ministers. Lopon is used when speaking to a senior monk. Rimpoche is used when addressing a reincarnated lama; and Anim when speaking to a nun. Aap is used when speaking to a man (equal) Busu for a boy; Am is for an older woman; and Bum for a girl Aapa, Ama, Alou, Bumo, are used respectively for men, women, boys, and girls of unknown name, for instance, restaurant staff.
Bhutanese consider a clear “no” to be too blunt for good manners. Thus, they have perfected various ways of saying yes, which vary from full agreement, through “I’m not sure,” to the full meaning of no, which is likely to be expressed with nothing stronger than “perhaps.”
The term “gross national happiness” was coined by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who hopes to create a unique Bhutanese national identity built on traditional values.

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Geography and Environment

Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Natural Hazards: violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season
Current Environmental Issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable water

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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

nepali

Population

Population: 699,847
Population in Major Urban Areas: THIMPHU (capital) 99,000
Nationality Noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)
Ethnic Groups: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%

Education

Literacy Definition: Age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk: High

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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name: Bhutan
Full Country Name: Kingdom of Bhutan

Government Structure

Government Type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India
Legal System: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive Branch: chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sangay NGEDUP (since 5 September 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote
Legislative Branch: unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms) elections: local elections last held August 2005 (next to be held in 2008) election results: NA
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)
Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections; note - in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law, though no elections have been held
Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights; note - in 2001 the King commissioned the drafting of a constitution, which is to become effective in 2005
Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India)
National Holiday: National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)

Capital City

Capital Name: Thimphu
Capital - geographic coordinate: 27 28 N, 89 38 E
Capital Time Difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

the origins of the name are unclear; the traditional explanation, dating to the 14th century, is that thim means "dissolve" and phu denotes "high ground" to express the meaning of "dissolving high ground," in reference to a local deity that dissolved before a traveler's eyes, becoming a part of the rock on which the present city stands

Military

Branches: Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Bhutan. Although no formal diplomatic relations exist between the United States and Bhutan, engagement is maintained through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. Updated information on travel and security in Bhutan may be obtained at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located on Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi 110 021, India, telephone (91)(11) 2419-8000, fax (91)(11) 2419-8407. In the case of an emergency involving a U.S. citizen, please call the 24-hour operator at (91)(11) 2419-8000 and ask for American Citizen Services.

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Economy

Bhutan's economy, though still one of the smallest in the world, has transitioned from least-developed country status and is on track to formally graduate from the UN's LDC category. Agriculture and forestry remain important, providing livelihoods for roughly half the population, though their share of GDP has declined to around 15% as services and hydropower have expanded. Farming consists largely of subsistence cultivation and animal husbandry, while rugged Himalayan terrain continues to make the construction of roads and other infrastructure difficult and costly.

The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links, including a ngultrum pegged to the Indian rupee, preferential trade arrangements, and substantial Indian financial and technical assistance. India remains Bhutan's largest trading partner and the principal market for its electricity exports. The industrial sector, while modernizing, is still small in scale, with cottage and small-scale industries playing a significant role alongside cement, ferroalloys, and processed agricultural goods. Many large development projects continue to rely on Indian migrant labor.

Hydropower is the cornerstone of Bhutan's economy, accounting for a major share of government revenue and exports, with installed capacity exceeding 2,300 MW and several large projects under development. Tourism is the second key foreign exchange earner; following the pandemic-era closure, Bhutan reopened to international visitors in 2022 and revised its Sustainable Development Fee, maintaining its "high value, low volume" approach to attract environmentally and culturally conscientious travelers.

Development policy is guided by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, balancing economic growth with environmental conservation and cultural preservation — Bhutan remains one of the few carbon-negative countries in the world. However, challenges persist, including youth unemployment, outmigration of skilled workers, external debt linked to hydropower financing, and a narrow private sector. Detailed regulatory controls and evolving policies in industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to constrain foreign investment, though recent reforms aim to improve the business climate.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code: Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)
GDP Real Growth Rate: 5.3%

Banknotes

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year: 1 July - 30 June
Annual Budget: $152,000,000 (USD)
External Debt: $245,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation: agriculture 93%; services 5%; industry and commerce 2%
Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Agriculture Products: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Export Commodities: electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices
Export Partners: India 88.5%, US 2.7%, UK 2.7%
Import Commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Import Partners: India 62.8%, Japan 16.3%, Germany 4.3%

Energy

Oil Production: 0 bbl/day
Oil Consumption: 1,100 bbl/day
Oil Reserves: 0 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production: 0 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption: 0 cu m
Natural Gas Imports: 0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports: 0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves: 0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System: General Assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services Domestic: low teledensity; domestic service is poor, especially in rural areas; mobile-cellular service, started in 2003, is now widely available International: country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
Internet Country Code: .bt

News & Weather

Current Weather

Latest News

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Climate Overview

Varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in the Himalayas

Videos

1 curated YouTube videos.

Source: YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Bhutan?

The population of Bhutan is approximately 699,847.

How do people greet each other in Bhutan?

Bhutanese use the traditional chaglen greeting (bowing with both palms spread over the knee, ankle and instep depending on the addressee's social and religious status), and handshaking has also become common. Do: Offer a handshake at introductions and departures to promote good relations Use the traditional chaglen bow, adjusting to the addressee's social and religious status Doma, or betel nut, is offered as a customary gesture of greeting

What is dining and food like in Bhutan?

The staple diet includes red rice, buckwheat, wheat, maize, pork, beef, chicken, yak meat, cheese and chilies, with meat dishes lavishly spiced with chilies. Chilies are eaten as a vegetable, not just as a spice Emadatse, made of chili, cottage cheese and herbs, is considered the unofficial national dish Salted butter tea (suja) is served on all social occasions Chang, a local beer, and arra, a distilled spirit, are widely favored

What should I know about etiquette and customs in Bhutan?

Bhutanese are friendly and hospitable, and their way of life is greatly influenced by religion. Public body contact is very limited in Bhutanese culture Every Bhutanese home has a special prayer room known as chosum

How should I dress in Bhutan?

Traditional dress includes the gho for men and the kira for women. Men wear the gho, a longish robe tied at the waist with a cloth belt called kera Women wear the ankle-length kira, made of bright, finely woven fabric with traditional patterns

What is the capital of Bhutan?

Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and its largest city, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center of the kingdom. Situated in the Wang Chhu river valley in the western part of the country, Thimphu is one of the few national capitals in the world without traffic lights — a distinction its residents take quiet pride in. The city blends modern government infrastructure with traditional Bhutanese architecture, and it houses the Tashichho Dzong, the imposing fortress-monastery that serves as the seat of government.

Where is Bhutan located?

Bhutan is a landlocked country located in South Asia, nestled in the eastern Himalayas between two of the world's most populous nations. It occupies a strategically significant position on the southern slopes of the Himalayan range, and its terrain descends dramatically from high alpine peaks in the north to subtropical plains in the south. Long isolated by geography and deliberate policy, Bhutan has maintained a distinct cultural identity that sets it apart from its neighbors in the broader Asian region.

What countries border Bhutan?

Bhutan shares its borders with two countries: India to the south, east, and west, and China (Tibet) to the north. The relationship with India has been particularly formative — following Indian independence in 1947, India assumed responsibility for Bhutan's defense and foreign relations, a role previously held by Britain under the 1910 treaty. The border with China remains partially demarcated, and the two countries have engaged in ongoing boundary negotiations for several decades.

What is the predominant religion in Bhutan?

Lamaistic Buddhism is the dominant religion in Bhutan, practiced by approximately 75% of the population. The remaining roughly 25% are predominantly Hindu, largely concentrated among the Lhotshampa community of Nepali origin in the southern lowlands. Buddhism permeates virtually every aspect of Bhutanese public and private life — every household traditionally maintains a dedicated prayer room known as a chosum, and the country's dzongs (fortress-monasteries) function simultaneously as administrative centers and active religious institutions.

What is the currency of Bhutan?

The official currency of Bhutan is the Bhutanese Ngultrum, with the ISO code BTN. The Ngultrum is pegged at par to the Indian Rupee, which is also accepted as legal tender throughout the country — a practical reflection of Bhutan's deep economic ties with India. The currency's name derives from the Dzongkha words for "royal currency," and it was introduced in 1974 as part of Bhutan's broader effort to develop independent national institutions.

What language is spoken in Bhutan?

Dzongkha is the official national language of Bhutan and is used in government, education, and formal communication. It belongs to the Tibetan language family and is written in the classical Tibetan script. Beyond Dzongkha, the Sharchop people of eastern Bhutan speak Tshangla and related Tibetan dialects, while the Lhotshampa community of the south speak Nepali and various related dialects. English is widely used in schools and government offices, making it a de facto language of administration and instruction.

What is Bhutan known for?

Bhutan is internationally recognized for its philosophy of Gross National Happiness, a development framework that prioritizes citizens' well-being and cultural preservation over purely economic growth. The country is also famed for its dramatic Himalayan dzongs, particularly Paro Taktsang — the "Tiger's Nest" monastery — which clings to a sheer cliffside and is one of Asia's most iconic pilgrimage sites. Bhutan's skilled artisans produce highly regarded handicrafts in bronze, silver, and other metals, including intricately sculpted religious figures found in temples across the kingdom. Its strict high-value, low-impact tourism policy, which requires visitors to pay a daily government fee, keeps visitor numbers limited and infrastructure strain low.

Last reviewed 2026

Bhutan

Declare Your Relationship to Bhutan

CountryReports Community

Quick Look Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

Cultural Attributes

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

Diet

Holidays

National Day

Dates of Interest

How do people greet each other in Bhutan?

What is dining and food like in Bhutan?

What should I know about etiquette and customs in Bhutan?

How should I dress in Bhutan?

Photos of Bhutan

Travel and Tourism

Recipes

Kewa Datshi (Potatoes and Cheese)

Hapai Hantue (Buckwheat Dumplings with Bok Choy and Poppy Seed Filling)

Pork Fing (Pork with Bean Threads and Chili Peppers)

Cucumbers with Onion and Cheeses

Ema Datshi (Chili and Cheese)

Kewa Datshi (Potatoes and Cheese)

History

Historical Eras

Monyul & Early Kingdoms

Tibetan Influence & Sectarian Rivalry

Theocratic Unification

British Suzerainty

Indian Partnership & Development

Constitutional Monarchy

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

Interesting Facts

Geography and Environment

People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Population

Education

Health Information

Government & Politics

Country Identity

Government Structure

Capital City

Military

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Economy

Snapshot

Banknotes

Budget & Public Finance

Labor, Industry & Trade

Energy

Communications

News & Weather

Current Weather

Latest News

Climate Overview

Videos

Frequently Asked Questions