Bhutan/

The economy, one of the world’s smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 60% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence 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. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production 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. Complicated 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. New hydropower projects will be the driving force behind Bhutan’s ability to create employment and sustain growth in the coming years.

$3.526 billion (2010 est.)

$3.301 billion (2009 est.)

$3.123 billion (2008 est.)

$1.397 billion (2010 est.)

6.8% (2010 est.)

5.7% (2009 est.)

2.7% (2008 est.)

$5,000 (2010 est.)

$4,800 (2009 est.)

$4,600 (2008 est.)

299,900

4% (2009)

2.5% (2004)

23.2% (2008)

57.8% of GDP (2009)

81.4% of GDP (2004)

4.3% (2008 est.)

4.9% (2007 est.)

NA%

NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

NA% (31 December 2008 est.)

$335 million (31 December 2008)

$381.1 million (31 December 2007)

$NA (31 December 2009)

$647.6 million (31 December 2008)

$NA (31 December 2008)

$169.9 million (31 December 2007 est.)

$NA

rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs

cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, tourism

NA%

1.48 billion kWh (2009 est.)

184 million kWh (2009 est.)

1.296 billion kWh (2009 est.)

0 kWh (2009 est.)

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

1,250 bbl/day (2008 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

$164 million (2008 est.)

$116 million (2007 est.)

$513 million (2008)

$350 million (2006)

electricity (to India), ferrosilicon, cement, calcium carbide, copper wire, manganese, vegetable oil

India 86.3%, Bangladesh 8.1%, Italy 1.5% (2008)

$533 million (2008)

$320 million (2006)

fuel and lubricants, passenger cars, machinery and parts, fabrics, rice (2008)

India 63%, Japan 12.3%, China 5.1% (2008)

$836 million (2009)

$713.3 million (2006)

ngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 46.6 (2009), 41.487 (2007), 45.279 (2006), 44.101 (2005), 45.317 (2004)