16 Fun Facts About Bhutan: The Himalayan Kingdom!

1. Bhutan measures success through gross national happiness (GNH)

The fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck introduced the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) in Bhutan in 1972, making it the only country in the world to officially implement GNH as a measure of prosperity. GNH was at first a philosophical framework but evolved into a more structured measurement system in the 2000s. Today, GNH tracks nine areas:

• psychological well-being,
• health,
• education,
• cultural diversity and resilience,
• ecological diversity and resilience,
• living standards,
• good governance,
• community vitality,
• time use and balance

Bhutan uses both GNH and the more conventional economic growth measure of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) metrics to shape policy. The framework has influenced global discussions on measuring progress beyond economic metrics, inspiring initiatives like the UN World Happiness Report and OECD Better Life Index.

>>Read about how you can become happier with more experiences!

2. Bhutan is one of few carbon-negative countries in the world

Bhutan is carbon-negative, with the country absorbing approximately 7 million tons of CO2 annually while producing 2.2 million tons. They do this through:

• Forest cover. Forests cover 71% of Bhutan’s land. Bhutan is constitutionally required to maintain at least 60% forest cover, which is crucial for absorbing more carbon dioxide than it produces. Bhutan banned logging exports in 1999 to protect forests.
• Hydropower: Generates 40% of national revenue through clean energy sales to India, producing approximately 2,345 MW annually.
• Government Policy: Bhutan maintains strict environmental policies, including a constitutional pledge for permanent carbon neutrality, a sustainable development tax on tourism of $200 per person per day to partly fund conservation, and mandatory environmental impact assessments for development projects
• Small size of its economy (2023): At around $3 billion, the economy of Bhutan is smaller than the US Virgin Islands.

What is the difference between carbon neutral and carbon negative?

The difference between carbon-neutral and carbon-negative (or net zero) is that carbon-neutral offsets emissions to balance them at zero, while carbon-negative removes more CO₂ than emitted, resulting in a net decrease in atmospheric CO₂.

What is the GDP of carbon neutral and net zero countries?

Note: Niue is a South Pacific Island nation of 2,000 people that had been a self-governing region of New Zealand since 1974 but became an independent country in 2023.

>>See our student travel programs to Panama here!

3. Bhutan’s national animal is the Takin

The Takin is Bhutan’s national animal and is a rare animal that resembles a goat and a cow. This creature has ties to Bhutanese mythology, where it is believed to have been created by a saint using the remains of a goat and a cow.

4. Bhutan has a high-value, low-impact tourism model

Bhutan enforces a high-value, low-impact sustainable tourism policy to protect its culture and natural environment. International visitors must pay a Sustainable Development Fee of $200 per night and book their trips through licensed tour operators.

Learn more about sustainable tourism

5. Bhutan was the last country in the world to introduce television

In 1999, Bhutan legalized television and internet 70 years after the United Kingdom’s 1929 broadcast debut. Mobile phones followed in 2003.

Here are the 10 last countries to introduce television last:

You can compare this to the first country to introduce television, the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom introduced the television in 1929, 70 years before Bhutan.

6. Bhutan shifted from absolute rule to elected parliament in 2008

In 2008, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck transformed Bhutan into a constitutional monarchy. His son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, became head of state at age 28.

The first democratic elections seated 47 parliament members. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck became head of state at age 28.

7. Bhutan maintains limited diplomatic ties since joining United Nations in 1971

In 1971, Bhutan became the UN’s 128th member state, establishing its first international diplomatic presence. The country maintains full diplomatic relations with 54 nations. India opened Bhutan’s first foreign embassy in 1978.

8. Buddhism guides Bhutan’s laws and festivals since 747 CE

Buddhism shapes Bhutan’s national policies and laws. 75% of 777,000 citizens practice Vajrayana Buddhism in 2,000 temples. Bhutan’s constitution designates Buddhism as the state religion. 75% of 777,000 citizens practice Vajrayana Buddhism in 2,000 temples.

9. Bhutan has pegged its national currency at 1:1 to the Indian rupee since 1974

Bhutan introduced the ngultrum in 1974, maintaining a fixed 1:1 exchange rate with the Indian rupee. Both currencies serve as legal tender.

India provides 90% of Bhutan’s imports and receives 95% of its exports. 73 Indian companies operate offices in Bhutan’s border cities.

10. Bhutanese customs require guests refuse food 3 times before accepting

Traditional Bhutanese etiquette demands guests refuse food offers twice, accepting only after the third insistence.

11. Bhutanese archers shoot targets at 145 meters, double Olympic distance

Bhutan declared archery its national sport in 1971, maintaining a 145-meter target distance compared to Olympic archery’s 70 meters. The sport gained popularity in the 1920s, during the rule of Bhutan’s second king, and became the national sport in 1971, after Bhutan joined the United Nations.

12. Gangkhar Puensum is Earth’s highest unclimbed mountain peak in the world at 24,836 feet

In 1994, Bhutan banned all mountaineering above 19,685 feet, protecting Gangkhar Puensum as the world’s tallest unclimbed mountain. The mountain is 24,836 feet (7,570 meters) in northeastern Bhutan, 3,914 feet shorter than Mount Everest.

13. Bhutan has a mandatory national dress code

Bhutan has a mandatory national dress code. Both men and women are required to wear the traditional attire especially on formal occasions and when visiting the Bhutanese government, schools and during festivals.

The attire for men is called gho, a knee-length robe tied at the waist with a cloth belt. For women, the traditional dress is the kira, a long, ankle-length dress worn with a jacket called toego. These garments are often made from woven silk or cotton and feature intricate patterns that vary by region.

Bhutanese men wearing Gho

14. Bhutan has a thunder dragon on national flag since 1969

In 1969, Bhutan officially adopted the Druk thunder dragon symbol for its flag, holding 4 jewels in gold claws against orange and yellow rectangles. The dragon design stems from a 17th century Himalayan belief that thunder is the roar of dragons. Druk Yul became Bhutan’s official name in state documents.

The 4:3 ratio flag appears on all government buildings and schools. Orange represents Buddhism, yellow shows monarchy and white jewels symbolize wealth.

15. Thimphu is the only national capital city without traffic lights

Thimphu in western Bhutan has grown from 30,000 residents in 1985 to 115,000 in 2023, all while maintaining its tradition of white-gloved police directing traffic at intersections. Pyeongyang, North Korea added their traffic lights in 2014.

16. Bhutan makes education and healthcare free for all its citizens

Bhutan’s has universal free education and healthcare, making it the first Himalayan nation with this guarantee.

Read more about Bhutan in its Thirteen Five Year Plan