People and Society of Bhutan

Nationality

Bhutanese (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%

Population

787,424

Population in Major Urban Areas

THIMPHU (capital) 99,000

Medical facilities in the populated areas in Bhutan such as Thimphu and Paro are available but may be limited or unavailable in rural areas. U.S. citizens in need of urgent medical care should try to get to the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in the capital city, Thimphu. For emergency services in Thimphu, dial 113 for police or 112 for an ambulance. Medical services may not meet Western standards, and some medicines are in short supply. Certain emergency medical services are provided free of charge to all tourists. Visitors planning to trek in Bhutan should pay special attention to the risk of altitude illness. Altitude sickness is a risk above 8,000 feet and travelers to that altitude should consult an appropriate health care provider 4 to 6 weeks before their trip. Treks in Bhutan can take visitors days or weeks away from the nearest medical facility. Helicopter evacuation from remote areas in Bhutan is available through the registered tour operators at the U.S. citizen’s expense. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi can also help arrange evacuations through private companies at the U.S. citizen’s expense. We strongly urge you to ensure that your medical insurance covers such evacuations, which can be extremely expensive. The Government of Bhutan recommends that visitors obtain tetanus, typhoid, and hepatitis A inoculations before traveling to Bhutan. Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, and rabies vaccines are recommended for prolonged stays for people at risk. The influenza vaccine is also recommended. Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Bhutan. For further information, please consult the CDC's information on TB. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of malaria exists in rural areas below 1,700m (5,577ft) in the southern belt districts of Bhutan (Chirang, Geylegphug, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Shemgang) along the border with India. Dengue is also a risk; you should take measures to prevent insect/mosquito bites in the higher-risk areas in the south from July to December. Although yellow fever is not a disease risk in Bhutan, the government requires travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is present to present proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Bhutan has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past several decades, reflecting the country's significant investments in public health infrastructure and its unique development philosophy centered on Gross National Happiness. As of the most recently available data, Bhutan's average life expectancy at birth stands at approximately 72 to 74 years, with women generally living slightly longer than men — a pattern consistent with global trends. This figure represents a dramatic improvement from the early 1960s, when life expectancy hovered around just 32 to 34 years, making the increase one of the most substantial gains recorded among Asian nations over a comparable period. Several factors have driven this improvement. Bhutan expanded free healthcare access to all citizens, building a network of hospitals, basic health units, and outreach clinics across its mountainous terrain. The government has prioritized maternal and child health, leading to sharp reductions in infant and under-five mortality rates. Immunization programs, improved access to clean water and sanitation, and campaigns targeting communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria have all contributed meaningfully to longer, healthier lives. The country still faces certain health challenges that temper further gains. Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancers, are increasingly prevalent as Bhutan undergoes economic development and lifestyle changes associated with urbanization. Mental health, particularly given the stress of rapid modernization in a traditionally isolated society, is also an emerging area of concern. Geographically, there are disparities in health outcomes between urban centers like Thimphu and Phuentsholing and the more remote eastern and northern districts, where access to medical facilities remains limited due to difficult terrain and infrastructure constraints. Despite these challenges, Bhutan's progress on life expectancy is frequently cited as evidence that a nation need not prioritize economic growth above all else to achieve meaningful gains in population well-being. Its health outcomes compare favorably with many countries at similar or higher income levels, underscoring the effectiveness of the government's long-term commitment to accessible public healthcare.

Infant Mortality Rate

Bhutan has made remarkable progress in reducing infant mortality over the past several decades, reflecting the country's sustained investment in public health infrastructure and maternal care services. As of the most recent available data, Bhutan's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 24 to 27 deaths per 1,000 live births, a dramatic improvement from rates exceeding 100 per 1,000 live births recorded in the 1980s. This decline is largely attributed to the expansion of Bhutan's free public healthcare system, which has extended basic medical services to even remote and mountainous communities. Increased access to skilled birth attendants, antenatal care, and postnatal checkups has played a central role in keeping newborn deaths lower than in many comparable low-income and lower-middle-income nations. The government's policy of free healthcare for all citizens, enshrined as a constitutional right, has been particularly influential in improving outcomes for vulnerable infants. Immunization programs have also contributed significantly to this progress. Bhutan maintains high vaccination coverage rates for diseases such as diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, and pneumococcal infections, all of which are leading causes of infant death in developing nations. UNICEF and the World Health Organization have supported several of these immunization initiatives in collaboration with Bhutan's Ministry of Health. Despite these gains, challenges remain. Geographic barriers continue to complicate healthcare delivery in rural and high-altitude areas, where mothers may face limited access to emergency obstetric care. Neonatal conditions, including birth asphyxia, sepsis, and complications from preterm birth, account for a significant share of remaining infant deaths. Bhutan's infant mortality rate, while still higher than those of developed nations — which commonly fall below 5 deaths per 1,000 live births — compares favorably within the South Asian region. The country's continued commitment to Gross National Happiness as a guiding development philosophy places strong emphasis on the health and well-being of its youngest citizens, suggesting that further reductions in infant mortality remain a national priority.

Major Infectious Diseases

High

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

• Lamaistic Buddhist75.0%
• Hinduism25.0%

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

• nepali

Crime Information

There is relatively little crime in Bhutan. Petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and purse snatching, is occasionally reported. While generally safe, the capital Thimphu has begun to see burglaries, street fights, and an increasing, although still small, number of drug abusers. Reasonable precautions should be taken when visiting the town and, in particular, when going out at night. Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Bhutan, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Bhutan, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas. Although no formal diplomatic relations exist between the United States and Bhutan, engagement is maintained through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India.