Quick facts
Bhutan population overview
Bhutan is the 48th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 800,232 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.7% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 15 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 9,763 births (12.2 per 1,000 people) and 4,801 deaths (6 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 640 people. The infant mortality rate is 16.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 224,084 in 1960 to 796,682 in 2025 — a change of +255.5%, or +2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 31 years; life expectancy at birth is 73.8 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 20.4% of residents are under 15 and 6.6% are 65 or older (2025); 43.4% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Thimphu. Bhutan covers 38,390 km², giving a population density of about 21 people per km². GDP was $3.58B in 2025 — about $4,493 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Bhutan population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 804,699 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 800,232 |
| World rank | #167 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #48 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.010% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.7% |
| Births per year est. | 9,763 |
| Deaths per year est. | 4,801 |
| Net migration per year est. | +640 |
| Birth rate | 12.2 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 16.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 114.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 31 years |
| Life expectancy | 73.8 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 43.4% |
| Surface area 2023 | 38,390 km² |
| Population density | 21 per km² |
| Capital | Thimphu |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $3.58B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $4,493 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Bhutan population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 804,699 | – | – |
| 2025 | 796,682 | +5,158 | +0.7% |
| 2024 | 791,524 | +5,139 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 786,385 | +5,471 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 780,914 | +5,472 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 775,442 | +5,436 | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 770,006 | +29,388 | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 740,618 | +38,986 | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 701,632 | +39,767 | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 661,865 | +65,002 | +2.1% |
| 2000 | 596,863 | +48,874 | +1.7% |
| 1995 | 547,989 | -41,298 | -1.4% |
| 1990 | 589,287 | +80,895 | +3% |
| 1985 | 508,392 | +74,988 | +3.2% |
| 1980 | 433,404 | +67,613 | +3.5% |
| 1975 | 365,791 | +57,263 | +3.5% |
| 1970 | 308,528 | +47,328 | +3.4% |
| 1965 | 261,200 | +37,116 | +3.1% |
| 1960 | 224,084 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Bhutan
Population over time
- From 224,084 in 1960 to 804,699 today — up 259.1%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 73.3 years (2024), up 36.9 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 12.5 births vs 6.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 6.5 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 20.4% of the population is under 15 and 6.6% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.4% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 1.59 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 1.81 Mt in 2019 — down 11.9% since.
- Per person: 2.01 t in 2024, vs 0.11 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 359.5 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 278.5% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 82.5% of final energy in 2022 (-13.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 71.6% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 53.7% to 71.6% since 1990 — roughly 6,893 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 43.4% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 2.5% in 1960 (+40.9 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0.4% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 99,883 m³ in 2022, down 75.8% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $3.58B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 63.6% since 2015.
- That works out to $4,493 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3.2% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.6% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 91.3% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 99.8 per 100 people (2024).
Bhutan in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Bhutan in 2026?
As of October 2026, Bhutan has an estimated population of 804,699. The United Nations estimated 800,232 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Bhutan growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.7% per year — roughly 15 more people every day. Each year there are about 9,763 births and 4,801 deaths, with net migration of +640.
What is the population density of Bhutan?
About 21 people per square kilometre: 804,699 people living on 38,390 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Bhutan?
The median age is 31 years, and life expectancy at birth is 73.8 years. 20.4% of the population is under 15 and 6.6% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Bhutan rank by population?
Bhutan is the 167th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 48th in Asia, with 0.010% of the global population.
How has the population of Bhutan changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 224,084; by 2025 it had grown to 796,682 (+255.5%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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RéunionSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.