Bhutan

In brief

Bhutan is a country in South Asia. Its capital is Thimphu. With 796,682 inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 162nd in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 38,394 km². Landlocked, it shares land borders with China and India.

GDP per capita stands at $4,493 (2025), 124th in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 73.3 years (2024). 43% of the population lives in cities.

History of Bhutan

Buddhism spread here from the 8th century. In the 17th century the lama Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal unified the country and covered it with dzongs, fortress-monasteries. The Wangchuck dynasty has reigned since 1907. Never colonised and long closed, Bhutan joined the UN in 1971. Its fourth king made “Gross National Happiness” a goal of government; the country became a constitutional monarchy in 2008.

Geography of Bhutan

A landlocked Himalayan country between China and India, Bhutan has forest over more than two thirds of its territory. Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m) is considered the highest mountain never climbed: mountaineering on the high peaks is banned.

Map of Bhutan

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Flag of Bhutan

The flag of Bhutan is white, yellow and orange. Its official proportions are 2:3 (height to width).

• Yellow45%
• Orange41%
• White14%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Divided diagonally, yellow and orange, with a white dragon holding jewels. Yellow represents the king’s authority, orange Buddhism; the thunder dragon, Druk, gave the country its name, Druk Yul.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Bhutan” and “Flag of Bhutan”.

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Fact file

Economy and society