The economy of Bhutan, one of the world's smallest and least developed countries, is based

on agriculture andforestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 60% of the population.
Agriculture consists largely ofsubsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains
dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive.
The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and
dependence on India's financial assistance. Most production in the industrial sector is of the cottage
industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor.
Model education, social, and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral
development organizations.
Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's
environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious expansion of the
tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale, environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls
and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to
hamper foreign investment. Hydropower exports to India have boosted Bhutan's overall growth, even
though GDP fell in 2008 as a result of a slowdown in India, its predominant export market.
Contents
[hide]

1Macro-economic trend

2Other statistics

3See also

4References

5External links

Macro-economic trend[edit]
Further information: Energy in Bhutan
This is a chart of trend of gross domestic product of Bhutan at market prices [1] by the International
Monetary Fund:

Year

1985

GDP (millions of BTN)

2,166

GDP (millions of USD)

175

1990

4,877

279

1995

9,531

294

2000

20,060

460

2005

36,915

828

2008

1280

Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. The Bhutanese
Government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving
social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs in Bhutan are underway with
support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the
government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. For example, the
government, in its cautious expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale,
environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in such areas as
industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
In 2004, Bhutan became the first country in the world to ban smoking and the selling of tobacco.

Other statistics[edit]

A proportional representation of Bhutan's exports.

Industrial production growth rate: 9.3% (1996 est.)

Electricity:

production: 2 TWh (2005)

consumption: 380 GWh (2005)

exports: 1.5 TWh (2005) (exports electricity to India)

imports: 20 GWh (2005)

Electricity - production by source:

fossil fuel: 0.39%

hydro: 99.61%

nuclear: 0%

other: 0% (1998)

Oil:

production: 0 barrels per day (0 m3/d) (2005)

consumption: 1,200 barrels per day (190 m3/d) (2005 est.)

exports: 0 barrels per day (0 m3/d) (2004)

imports: 1,138 barrels per day (180.9 m3/d) (2004)

Agriculture - products: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains, dairy products, eggs
Currency: 1 ngultrum (BTN) = 100 chetrum; Indian rupee (INR)
Historic exchange rates:

Ngultrum per US$1

2006

2005

2004

2003

45.279

44.101

45.317

46.583

See also[edit]

Agriculture in Bhutan

Banking in Bhutan

Mining in Bhutan

Fishing in Bhutan

Forestry in Bhutan

Bhutanese ngultrum, currency

2002

48.61

2001

1999

47.186

43.055