The Bhutan economy in 2025 is shaping into one of South Asia’s most balanced growth stories — where Gross National Happiness meets economic resilience. Posting a 6.1% GDP growth in 2024, Bhutan enters 2025 with strong hydropower exports, rising tourism, and ambitious plans for Gelephu Mindfulness City, a sustainable urban hub expected to create thousands of green jobs. With GDP valued at $3.4 billion and a focus on eco-driven industries, the Bhutan economy overview reveals a nation harmonizing profit with peace. While challenges like import dependence and external debt remain, Bhutan’s happiness-led model continues to inspire a new global conversation about well-being-driven growth1.
Table of Facts and Figures: Unpacking the Bhutan Economy
This vertical table spotlights 2024 core data for the Bhutan economy overview 2024. Each metric pairs with remarks linking to trends, hurdles, and tips for the Bhutan economy 2025.
| Metric | Value | Remarks |
| GDP 2024 | $3.4 B | Solid base from hydro (40% share) and services; up from $3.0 B in 2023. Funds free education and health—ramp tourism to add $200 M yearly. |
| Growth 2024 | 6.1% | Strong rebound from 4.9% in 2023, per Ministry reports2. Beats regional averages; Bhutan economy growth in recent years shows resilience—target 9.6% in 2025 via exports. |
| Population 2024 | 791,524 | Steady rise eases labor for farms and hotels. Youth (60% under 25) drive needs; train 10,000 in green skills to curb migration. |
| Per Capita 2024 | $4,513 | Above South Asia average, thanks to hydro royalties. Uneven rural access calls for micro-loans—lift by 10% with eco-jobs. |
| % of World GDP 2024 | 0.00% | Small global footprint, but key in world economy. India ties amp clout; niche exports nudge share up. |
| Imports 2024 | $1.38 B | Tops fuel and machinery; gap widens deficit. Local solar cuts 15% energy pull, easing Bhutan economy challenges 2024 like price spikes. |
| Exports 2024 | $0.5 B | Led by electricity (70%); 19% rise from 2023. Diversify to herbs for a $100 M boost, balancing the Bhutan economy depends on hydro risks. |
| Debt 2024 | $3.76 B | At 102.8% GDP, mostly external loans for dams. Manageable with royalties; refinance to free $150 M for schools. |
| Gold Reserves 2024 | 0.2 tons | Modest holdings in total $941 M reserves. Use for stability; sell ethically to fund carbon credits. |
| Silver Reserves 2024 | 0 | No official stock; focus on forex from trade. Pivot to tourism gems for steady buffers. |
These figures ground the Bhutan economy type—a blend of command and market with happiness at core.
The bar chart reveals debt’s heft next to GDP, signaling smart borrowing in the Bhutan economy 2023.
Pie underscores hydro’s role in what type of economy does Bhutan have—sustainable yet vulnerable.
Major Imports and Exports: Trade Flows in the Bhutan Economy
Trade defines what kind of economy does Bhutan have, with a $880 M deficit in 2024. Exports at $0.5 B lean on India (80%), imports $1.38 B from the same. Bhutan economy news today notes hydro’s steady pull.
Key Exports
- Electricity ($350 M): Hydropower plants sell surplus to India, covering 70% total. Monsoon boosts output 20%.
- Ferrosilicon ($60 M): Metal alloy from steel firms ships to Asia; green tech demand rises.
- Dolomite and gypsum ($40 M): Minerals for cement head to Bangladesh. Eco-cert adds premiums.
- Cardamom and potatoes ($30 M): Spices and veggies to the Middle East; organic tags lift prices 15%.
- Cement ($20 M): Local plants export regionally; infrastructure pacts grow volumes.
These sustain the Bhutan economy 2022 recovery, tying to india-economy.
Key Imports
- Fuel oil ($400 M): Diesel powers vehicles and backups; solar shifts cut 10%.
- Machinery ($300 M): Tools for hydro and farms from China. Local fixes save 5%.
- Vehicles ($200 M): Cars and trucks from India fill roads; EV incentives start.
- Food grains ($150 M): Rice and wheat ease shortages; community farms trim 8%.
- Chemicals ($100 M): Fertilizers boost yields; organic swaps green it up.
Imports meet daily gaps in this Bhutan, a traditional economy with modern twists3.
Market Trends Shaping the Bhutan Economy in 2025
The Bhutan economy 2025 spotlights green growth and urban hubs. Gelephu mindfulness city impact on Bhutan economy eyes 100,000 jobs via wellness tourism and tech parks, adding $500 M GDP by 2030. Tourism hits 300,000 visitors, up 25%, with carbon-neutral stays.
Unemployment at 4.5%; apprenticeships train 5,000 in renewables. Remittances add $50 M yearly.
Global links: As global gdp rises, hydro demand soars. Flood risks hit farms—dams protect 20% output.
Easy steps:
- Go green: Plant 1 M trees for eco-credits.
- Tour smart: App-based treks draw millennials.
- Trade bold: Herb pacts with EU for $50 M gains.
These fuel Bhutan economy happiness, blending wealth with well-being.
Bhutan Economy Overview: Harmony and Hurdles
The Bhutan economy overview 2025 merges tradition with progress. Why is Bhutan a traditional economy? Royal guidance steers hydro and happiness metrics. How is bhutan a traditional economy shines in community farms, yet bhutan economy 2021 slumps taught diversification. What is the economy of Bhutan? A happiness-led model, ranking high in equity despite Bhutan economy 2018 dips.
FAQs
What drove Bhutan economy growth in 2024?
6.1% from hydro exports and tourism. Services added 3%; projections hold for Bhutan economy 2025 at 9.6%.
How does population affect the Bhutan economy?
791,524 souls boost labor for trails and plants. Youth focus eases Bhutan economy challenges 2024 like skill gaps.
What is the Bhutan economy ranking globally?
Small at 0.00% world share, but tops happiness indexes4. Hydro ties lift regional spots.
Why do imports outweigh exports in Bhutan economy?
$1.38 B vs $0.5 B for fuel and tools. Local hydro offsets, narrowing gaps yearly.
Top exports in Bhutan economy overview?
Electricity ($350 M) and ferrosilicon ($60 M). They anchor Bhutan economy depending on renewables.
Debt’s place in Bhutan economy 2023?
$3.76 B at 102.8% GDP from infra loans. Royalties manage it, funding green shifts.
Trends for bhutan economy news in 2025?
Mindfulness city jobs and EV pushes rise. Bhutan economy 2020 lessons guide resilient paths.
Conclusion
The Bhutan economy weaves happiness into 2025’s 9.6% growth forecast. $3.4 B GDP, hydro trades, and city visions build balanced steps. From bhutan economy type traditions to modern mindfulness, the bhutan economy overview reassures sustainable wins.
To sum: Chase green jobs and joy metrics for thriving. How might gelephu mindfulness city impact on Bhutan economy redefine happiness for you—peace or prosperity? Share thoughts.
References
- IMF DataMapper: Bhutan Profile – Growth and per capita stats. ↩︎
- Ministry of Finance Bhutan: Macroeconomic Report Q4 2023-24 – GDP and debt details. ↩︎
- Trading Economics: Bhutan Exports/Imports – Trade values. ↩︎
- World Bank: Bhutan Overview – Reserves and projections. ↩︎
