Bhutan is the country to emulate in development practices. it was Bhutan’s King, His Excellency Jigme Singye Wangchuck who first internationally propounded the Philosophy of Gross National Happiness in 1979. The theory contains some very noble and wholesome elements such as Harmony with Nature, Harmony with Culture, Environmental Conservation, Ecological Diversity, Equitable Development, Good Governance, Health, Education, Cultural Diversity, Resilience and Psychological Well Being. We see that Underdevelopment is the key challenge confronting the South Asian region. All progressives of the region have to address the problem of underdevelopment.Bhutan can be an excellent model for emulation for the South Asian countries. This page offers space for discussing the key developmental challenges facing the various areas of Bhutan. It also discusses the people of Bhutan have addressed those challenges and what other countries can learn from their experience. Feel free to join this debate by posting your articles, research papers, podcasts and video clips on the relevant issues related to this subject on this site. Share them with us for posting on our Website. We start the debate with a brief introduction the wonderful country of Bhutan.<\/p>\n
Bhutan: An Introductory Profile<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n Following Britain\u2019s victory in the 1865 Duar War,\u00a0Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding land to British India. Ugyen WANGCHUCK\u2014who had served as the de facto ruler of an increasingly unified Bhutan and had improved relations with the British toward the end of the 19th century\u2014was named king in 1907. Three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs, and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. Bhutan negotiated a similar arrangement with independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned to Bhutan a small piece of the territory annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India\u2019s responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. Under a succession of modernizing monarchs beginning in the 1950s, Bhutan joined the UN in 1971 and slowly continued its engagement beyond its borders. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government\u2019s draft constitution\u2014which introduced major democratic reforms\u2014and held a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be \u201cguided by\u201d India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. Elections for seating the country\u2019s first parliament were completed in March 2008; the king ratified the country\u2019s first constitution in July 2008. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power\u00a0following parliamentary elections in 2013, which resulted in the defeat of the incumbent party. The disposition of some 18,000 refugees of the roughly 100,000 who fled or were forced out of Bhutan in the 1990s\u2014and who are housed in two UN refugee camps in Nepal\u2014remains unresolved.<\/p>\n Geography and Locations<\/strong><\/p>\n Geographic coordinates:<\/strong>\u00a027 30 N, 90 30 E<\/p>\n Area:\u00a0total:<\/strong> 38,394 sq km<\/p>\n land:\u00a038,394 sq km<\/p>\n water:\u00a00 sq km<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0137<\/p>\n Land boundaries:\u00a0total: 1,136 km<\/p>\n border countries (2):<\/strong>\u00a0China 477 km, India 659 km<\/p>\n Climate:<\/strong>\u00a0varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas<\/p>\n Terrain:<\/strong>\u00a0mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna<\/p>\n Elevation:\u00a0mean elevation:\u00a02,220 m<\/p>\n elevation extremes:\u00a0lowest:\u00a0point: Drangeme Chhu 97 m<\/p>\n highest point:\u00a0Gangkar Puensum 7,570 m<\/p>\n Natural resources:<\/strong>\u00a0timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate<\/p>\n Land use:<\/strong>\u00a0agricultural land:\u00a013.6%<\/p>\n arable land:\u00a02.6%<\/p>\n permanent crops:\u00a00.3%<\/p>\n permanent pasture:\u00a010.7%<\/p>\n forest:\u00a085.5%<\/p>\n other:\u00a00.9% (2011 est.)<\/p>\n Irrigated land:\u00a0320 sq km (2012)<\/p>\n Total renewable water resources:<\/strong>\u00a078 cu km (2011)<\/p>\n Fresh Water Withdrawal<\/p>\n domestic\/industrial\/agricultural):\u00a0total: 0.34 cu km\/yr (5%\/1%\/94%)<\/p>\n per capita:\u00a0458 cu m\/yr (2008)<\/p>\n Natural hazards:<\/strong>\u00a0violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country\u2019s Bhutanese name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season<\/p>\n Environment<\/strong>\u2014current issues:\u00a0soil erosion; limited access to potable water<\/p>\n Environment\u2014international agreements:\u00a0party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection<\/p>\n signed, but not ratified:\u00a0Law of the Sea<\/p>\n Geography\u2014note:<\/strong>\u00a0landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes<\/p>\n People<\/strong><\/p>\n Ethnic groups:<\/strong>\u00a0Ngalop (also known as Bhote) 50%, ethnic\u00a0Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas\u2014one of several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%<\/p>\n Languages:<\/strong>\u00a0Sharchhopka 28%, Dzongkha (official) 24%, Lhotshamkha 22%, other 26% (includes foreign languages) (2005 est.)<\/p>\n Religions:<\/strong>\u00a0Lamaistic Buddhist 75.3%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 22.1%, other 2.6% (2005 est.)<\/p>\n Population:<\/strong>\u00a0741,919 (July 2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0165<\/p>\n Age structure:\u00a00\u201314 years: 26.76% (male 101,418\/female 97,132)<\/p>\n 15\u201324 years:\u00a019.68% (male 74,373\/female 71,600)<\/p>\n 25\u201354 years:\u00a041.6% (male 164,520\/female 144,089)<\/p>\n 55\u201364 years:\u00a05.85% (male 23,271\/female 20,144)<\/p>\n 65 years and over:\u00a06.12% (male 23,754\/female 21,618) (2015 est.)<\/p>\n Dependency ratios:<\/p>\n total dependency ratio:\u00a046.9%<\/p>\n youth dependency ratio:\u00a039.5%<\/p>\n elderly dependency ratio:\u00a07.4%<\/p>\n potential support ratio:\u00a013.4% (2015 est.)<\/p>\n Median age:<\/p>\n total:\u00a026.7 years<\/p>\n male:\u00a027.2 years<\/p>\n female:\u00a026.1 years (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0144<\/p>\n Population growth rate:\u00a01.11% (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0112<\/p>\n Birth rate:\u00a017.78 births\/1,000 population (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0106<\/p>\n Death rate:\u00a06.69 deaths\/1,000 population (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0141<\/p>\n Net migration rate:\u00a00 migrant(s)\/1,000 population (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0105<\/p>\n Urbanization:\u00a0urban population:\u00a038.6% of\u00a0total\u00a0population (2015)<\/p>\n rate of urbanization:\u00a03.69% annual rate of change (2010\u201315 est.)<\/p>\n Major urban areas\u2014population:\u00a0THIMPHU (capital) 152,000 (2014)<\/p>\n Sex ratio:\u00a0at birth:<\/strong>\u00a01.05 male(s)\/female<\/p>\n total population:\u00a01.09 male(s)\/female (2015 est.)<\/p>\n Maternal mortality rate:<\/strong>\u00a0148 deaths\/100,000 live births (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a059<\/p>\n Infant mortality rate:<\/strong>\u00a0total: 35.91 deaths\/1,000 live births<\/p>\n male:\u00a036.27 deaths\/1,000 live births<\/p>\n female:\u00a035.53 deaths\/1,000 live births (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a061<\/p>\n Life expectancy at birth:<\/strong> total\u00a0population: 69.51 years<\/p>\n male:\u00a068.56 years<\/p>\n female:\u00a070.51 years (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0158<\/p>\n Total fertility rate:<\/strong>\u00a01.97 children born\/woman (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0128<\/p>\n Health expenditures:<\/strong>\u00a03.6% of GDP (2013)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0167<\/p>\n Physicians density:\u00a00.26 physicians\/1,000 population (2012)<\/p>\n Hospital bed density:\u00a01.8 beds\/1,000 population (2012)<\/p>\n Drinking water source:<\/strong><\/p>\n improved:<\/p>\n urban:\u00a0100% of population<\/p>\n rural:\u00a0100% of population<\/p>\n total:\u00a0100% of population<\/p>\n unimproved:<\/p>\n urban:\u00a00% of population<\/p>\n rural:\u00a00% of population<\/p>\n total:\u00a00% of population (2015 est.)<\/p>\n Sanitation facility access:<\/strong><\/p>\n improved:<\/p>\n urban:\u00a077.9% of population<\/p>\n rural:\u00a033.1% of population<\/p>\n total:\u00a050.4% of population<\/p>\n unimproved:<\/p>\n urban:\u00a022.1% of population<\/p>\n rural:\u00a066.9% of population<\/p>\n total:\u00a049.6% of population (2015 est.)<\/p>\n Major infectious diseases:<\/strong>\u00a0degree of risk: high food or waterborne<\/p>\n diseases:\u00a0bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever<\/p>\n vectorborne diseases:\u00a0dengue fever and malaria (2013)<\/p>\n Children under the age of 5 years underweight:12.8% (2010)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a059<\/p>\n Education expenditures:<\/strong>\u00a05.9% of GDP (2014)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a086<\/p>\n Literacy:\u00a0definition: age 15 and over can read and write<\/p>\n total population:\u00a064.9%<\/p>\n male:\u00a073.1%<\/p>\n female:\u00a055% (2015 est.)<\/p>\n School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):\u00a0total: 13 years<\/p>\n male:\u00a012 years<\/p>\n female:\u00a013 years (2013)<\/p>\n Child labor<\/strong>\u2014children ages 5\u201314:\u00a0total number:\u00a025,801<\/p>\n percentage:\u00a018% (2010 est.)<\/p>\n Unemployment<\/strong>, youth ages 15\u201324:\u00a0total: 9.6%<\/p>\n male:\u00a09.2%<\/p>\n female:\u00a09.9% (2013 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0119<\/p>\n Government and Politics<\/strong><\/p>\n Country name:<\/strong> conventional long form:\u00a0Kingdom of Bhutan<\/p>\n conventional short form:\u00a0Bhutan<\/p>\n local long form:\u00a0Druk Gyalkhap<\/p>\n local short form:\u00a0Druk Yul<\/p>\n etymology:\u00a0named after the Bhotia, the ethnic Tibetans who migrated from Tibet to Bhutan; Bod is the Tibetan name for their land; the Bhutanese name \u201cDruk Yul\u201d means \u201cLand of the Thunder Dragon\u201d<\/p>\n Government type:<\/strong>\u00a0constitutional monarchy<\/p>\n Administrative divisions:<\/strong>\u00a020 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Gasa, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Tashi Yangtse, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang<\/p>\n Independence:<\/strong>\u00a01907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king)<\/p>\n National holiday:<\/strong>\u00a0National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)<\/p>\n Constitution:<\/strong>\u00a0previous governing documents were various royal decrees; first constitution drafted November 2001-March 2005, ratified 18 July 2008; amended 2011 (2016)<\/p>\n Legal system:<\/strong>\u00a0civil law based on Buddhist religious law<\/p>\n Suffrage:<\/strong>\u00a018 years of age; universal<\/p>\n Executive branch:<\/strong>\u00a0chief of state:\u00a0King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006); note\u2014King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK abdicated the throne on 14 December 2006 to his son<\/p>\n head of government:\u00a0Prime Minister Tshering TOBGAY (since July 2013)<\/p>\n cabinet:\u00a0Council of Ministers or Lhengye Zhungtshog members nominated by the monarch in consultation with the prime minister and approved by the National Assembly; members serve 5-year terms<\/p>\n elections\/appointments:\u00a0the monarchy is hereditary but can be removed by a two-third vote of Parliament; leader of the majority party in Parliament is nominated as the prime minister, appointed by the monarch<\/p>\n Legislative branch:<\/strong>\u00a0description:\u00a0bicameral Parliament or Chi Tshog consists of the non-partisan National Council or Gyelyong Tshogde (25 seats; 20 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 5 members appointed by the king; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly or Tshogdu (47 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)<\/p>\n elections:\u00a0National Council election last held on 23 April 2013 (next to be held in 2018); National Assembly election first round held on 31 May 2013 and second round on 13 July 2013<\/p>\n election results:\u00a0National Council\u2014seats by pary\u2014independent 20 (all candidates required to run as independents; National Assembly\u2014first round\u2014percent of vote by party\u2014DPT 44.5%; PDP 32.5%; DNT 17.0%; DCT 5.9%; second round\u2014percent of vote by party\u2014PDP 54.9%, DPT 45.1%; seats by party\u2014PDP 32, DPT 15<\/p>\n Judicial branch:<\/strong>\u00a0highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice); note\u2014the Supreme Court has\u00a0sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters judge selection and term of office:\u00a0Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch upon the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier.<\/p>\n subordinate courts:\u00a0High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dung khag Courts<\/p>\n Political parties and leaders:<\/strong>\u00a0Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party or BKP [Sonam TOBGAY]<\/p>\n Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT [Pema GYAMTSHO]<\/p>\n Druck Chirwang Tshogpa or DCT<\/p>\n Druk Nymrub Tshogpa or DNT<\/p>\n People\u2019s Democratic Party or PDP [Tshering TOBGAY]<\/p>\n Political pressure groups and leaders:<\/strong>\u00a0Druk National Congress (exiled)<\/p>\n United Front for Democracy (exiled)<\/p>\n other:\u00a0Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepali-Bhutanese organizations (exiled)<\/p>\n International organization participation:<\/strong>\u00a0ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)<\/p>\n Flag description:<\/strong>\u00a0divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orangecentered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side; the dragon, called the Druk (Thunder Dragon), is the emblem of the nation; its white color stands for purity and the jewels in its claws symbolize wealth; the background colors represent spiritual and secular powers within Bhutan: the orange is associated with Buddhism, while the yellow denotes the ruling dynasty<\/p>\n National symbol(s):<\/strong>\u00a0thunder dragon known as Druk Gyalpo; national colors: orange, yellow<\/p>\n National anthem:\u00a0name:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cDruk tsendhen\u201d (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom)<\/p>\n lyrics\/music:\u00a0Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI\/Aku TONGMI<\/p>\n note:\u00a0adopted 1953<\/p>\n Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n Economy\u2014overview:<\/strong>\u00a0Bhutan\u2019s economy, small and less developed, is based largely on hydropower, agriculture, and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than half of the population. Because rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive, industrial production is primarily of the cottage industry type. The economy is closely aligned with India\u2019s through strong trade and monetary links and is dependent on India for financial assistance and migrant laborers for development projects, especially for road construction. Bhutan inked a pact in December 2014 to expand duty-free trade with Bangladesh, the only trade partner with which Bhutan enjoys a surplus. Multilateral development organizations administer most educational, social, and environment programs, and take into account the government\u2019s desire to protect the country\u2019s environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Complicated controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Bhutan\u2019s largest export\u2014hydropower to India\u2014could 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\u2019s 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\u00a0total. Bhutan also is exploring energy exports to Bangladesh.<\/p>\n GDP (purchasing power parity):<\/strong>\u00a0$6.385 billion (2015 est.)<\/p>\n $5.93 billion (2014 est.)<\/p>\n $5.93 billion (2014 est.)<\/p>\n $5.573 billion (2013 est.)<\/p>\n note:\u00a0data are in 2015 US dollars<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0168<\/p>\n GDP (official exchange rate):\u00a0$2.214 billion (2015 est.)<\/p>\n GDP\u2014real growth rate:\u00a07.7% (2015 est.)<\/p>\n 6.4% (2014 est.)<\/p>\n 4.9% (2013 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a011<\/p>\n GDP\u2014per capita (PPP):\u00a0$8,200 (2015 est.)<\/p>\n $7,700 (2014 est.)<\/p>\n $7,400 (2013 est.)<\/p>\n note:\u00a0data are in 2015 US dollars<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0148<\/p>\n GDP\u2014composition, by sector of origin:<\/p>\n agriculture:\u00a016.8%<\/p>\n industry:\u00a040.5%<\/p>\n services:\u00a042.7% (2014 est.)<\/p>\n Agriculture<\/strong>\u2014products:\u00a0rice, corn, root crops, citrus; dairy products, eggs<\/p>\n Industries:<\/strong>\u00a0cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism<\/p>\n Industrial production growth rate:\u00a06% (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a021<\/p>\n Labor force:<\/strong>\u00a0348,800<\/p>\n note:\u00a0major shortage of skilled labor (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0161<\/p>\n Labor force\u2014by occupation:\u00a0agriculture:\u00a057%<\/p>\n industry:\u00a021%<\/p>\n services:\u00a022% (2014 est.)<\/p>\n Unemployment rate:<\/strong>\u00a02.6% (2014 est.)<\/p>\n 2.9% (2013 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a017<\/p>\n Population below poverty line:<\/strong>\u00a012% (2012 est.)<\/p>\n Household income or consumption by percentage share:\u00a0lowest:\u00a010%: 2.8%<\/p>\n highest:\u00a010%: 30.6% (2012)<\/p>\n Distribution of family income\u2014Gini index:\u00a038.7 (2012)<\/p>\n 38.1 (2007)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a073<\/p>\n Budget:\u00a0revenues:<\/strong>\u00a0$608 million<\/p>\n expenditures:\u00a0$692.7 million<\/p>\n note:\u00a0The government of India finances nearly one-quarter of Bhutan\u2019s budget expenditures (2015 est.)<\/p>\n Taxes and other revenues:\u00a026.9% of GDP (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0103<\/p>\n Budget surplus (+) or deficit (\u2013):\u00a0-3.2% of GDP (2015 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0122<\/p>\n Public debt:<\/strong>\u00a098.5% of GDP (2015 est.)<\/p>\n 91.2% of GDP (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a018<\/p>\n Fiscal year:<\/strong>\u00a01 July\u201430 June<\/p>\n Inflation rate (consumer prices):\u00a07.2% (2015 est.)<\/p>\n 9.6% (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0195<\/p>\n Market value of publicly traded shares:<\/strong>\u00a0$320 million (31 December 2013)<\/p>\n $283.4 million (31 December 2012)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0115<\/p>\n Current account balance:<\/strong>\u00a0-$591 million (2015 est.)<\/p>\n -$459 million (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0106<\/p>\n Exports:<\/strong>\u00a0$375 million (2015 est.)<\/p>\n $409.2 million (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0179<\/p>\n Exports\u2014commodities:\u00a0electricity (to India), ferrosilicon, cement, calcium carbide, copper wire, manganese, vegetable oil<\/p>\n Exports\u2014partners:\u00a0India 83.8%, Hong Kong 10.8% (2013 est.)<\/p>\n Imports:<\/strong>\u00a0$965 million (2015 est.)<\/p>\n $927.6 million (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0180<\/p>\n Imports\u2014commodities:\u00a0fuel and lubricants, passenger cars, machinery and parts, fabrics, rice<\/p>\n Imports\u2014partners:\u00a0India 72.3%, South Korea 6% (2013 est.)<\/p>\n Debt\u2014external:<\/strong>\u00a0$1.855 billion (31 December 2014 est.)<\/p>\n $1.844 billion (31 December 2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0152<\/p>\n Stock of direct foreign investment\u2014<\/strong>at home:$173.8 million (31 December 2015 est.)<\/p>\n $145.4 million (31 December 2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0116<\/p>\n Exchange rates:\u00a0ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar\u2014<\/p>\n 63.9 (2015 est.)<\/p>\n 60.98 (2014 est.)<\/p>\n 60.98 (2014 est.)<\/p>\n 61.03 (2013 est.)<\/p>\n 53.44 (2012 est.)<\/p>\n 46.67 (2011 est.)<\/p>\n Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n Electricity<\/strong>\u2014production:\u00a07.147 billion kWh (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0109<\/p>\n Electricity\u2014consumption:\u00a02.085 billion kWh (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0141<\/p>\n Electricity\u2014exports:\u00a05.147 billion kWh (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a031<\/p>\n Electricity\u2014imports:\u00a0159 million kWh (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a090<\/p>\n Electricity\u2014installed generating capacity:\u00a01.499 million kW (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0120<\/p>\n Electricity\u2014from fossil fuels:\u00a00.7% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0210<\/p>\n Electricity\u2014from hydroelectric plants:\u00a099.3% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a04<\/p>\n Electricity\u2014from other renewable sources:\u00a00% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0162<\/p>\n Refined petroleum products<\/strong>\u2014consumption:\u00a02,000 bbl\/day (2013 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0188<\/p>\n Refined petroleum products\u2014imports:\u00a01,870 bbl\/day (2013 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0183<\/p>\n Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:<\/strong>\u00a0320,800 Mt (2012 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0188<\/p>\n Communications and Transport<\/strong><\/p>\n Telephones<\/strong>\u2014fixed lines:\u00a0total subscriptions: 23,800<\/p>\n subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:\u00a03 (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0176<\/p>\n Telephones\u2014mobile cellular:\u00a0total: 628,300<\/p>\n subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:\u00a086 (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0165<\/p>\n Telephone system:\u00a0general assessment: urban towns and district headquarters have telecommunications services<\/p>\n domestic:\u00a0low teledensity; domestic service is poor especially in rural areas; mobile-cellular service, started in 2003, is now widely available<\/p>\n international:\u00a0country code\u2014975; international telephone and<\/p>\n telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station\u20141 Intelsat (2012)<\/p>\n Broadcast media:<\/strong>\u00a0state-owned TV station established in 1999; cable TV service offers dozens of Indian and other international channels; first radio station, privately launched in 1973, is now state-owned; 5 private radio stations are currently broadcasting (2012)<\/p>\n Radio broadcast stations:\u00a0AM 0, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2007)<\/p>\n Television broadcast stations:\u00a01(2007)<\/p>\n Internet country code:\u00a0.bt<\/p>\n Internet hosts:\u00a014,590 (2012)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0126<\/p>\n Internet users:\u00a0total: 203,100<\/p>\n percent of population:\u00a027.7% (2014 est.)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0155<\/p>\n Airports:\u00a02<\/strong> (2013)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0198<\/p>\n Airports\u2014with paved runways:\u00a0total: 2<\/p>\n 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1<\/p>\n 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)<\/p>\n Airports\u2014with unpaved runways:\u00a0total: 1<\/p>\n 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)<\/p>\n Roadways:\u00a0total:<\/strong> 10,578 km<\/p>\n paved:\u00a02,975 km (includes 2,180 km of national highways)<\/p>\n unpaved:\u00a07,603 km (2013)<\/p>\n country comparison to the world:\u00a0135<\/p>\n Defense and Security<\/strong><\/p>\n Military branches:<\/strong>\u00a0Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan Police) (2009)<\/p>\n Military service age and obligation:\u00a018 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; militia training is compulsory for males aged 20\u201325, over a 3-year period (2012)<\/p>\n TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES<\/strong><\/p>\n Disputes\u2014international:\u00a0lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes arising from substantial cartographic discrepancies, the largest of which lie\u00a0in Bhutan\u2019s northwest and along the Chumbi salient.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Bhutan is the country to emulate in development practices. it was Bhutan’s King, His Excellency Jigme Singye Wangchuck who first internationally propounded the Philosophy of Gross National Happiness in 1979. The theory contains some very noble and wholesome elements such as Harmony with Nature, Harmony with Culture, Environmental Conservation, Ecological Diversity, Equitable Development, Good Governance, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":133,"parent":20,"menu_order":11,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-40","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n