World Factbook
Bhutan
Druk Gyalkhap
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: divided diagonally from the lower-left corner to the upper-right corner; the upper triangle is yellow, and the lower triangle is dark orange; centered along the dividing line is a large, stylized black-and-white dragon facing to the right; the dragon is called the Druk (Thunder Dragon) and is the national emblem meaning: white stands for purity, and the jewels in the dragon's claws symbolize wealth; the background colors represent the spiritual and secular powers in Bhutan, with orange standing for Buddhism and yellow for the ruling dynasty
Capital
name
Thimphu
etymology
the origins of the name are unclear; the traditional explanation, dating to the 14th century, is that thim means "dissolve" and phu means "rock," in reference to a local deity who dissolved before a traveler's eyes, becoming a part of the rock on which the present city stands
time difference
UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
27 28 N, 89 38 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
the father must be a citizen of Bhutan
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Constitution
history
previous governing documents were various royal decrees; first constitution drafted November 2001 to March 2005, ratified 18 July 2008
amendment process
proposed as a motion by simple majority vote in a joint session of Parliament; passage requires at least a three-fourths majority vote in a joint session of the next Parliament and assent by the king
Country name
etymology
name may derive from the Sanskrit words bhoṭa , the name for Tibet, and anta , meaning "end" -- a reference to Bhutan's location at the southernmost end of Tibet; the local Dzongkha name Druk Yul means "Land of the Dragon"
local long form
Druk Gyalkhap
local short form
Druk Yul
conventional long form
Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form
Bhutan
Independence
17 December 1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary king); 8 August 1949 (Treaty of Friendship with India maintains Bhutanese independence)
Legal system
civil law based on Buddhist religious law
Government type
constitutional monarchy
Judicial branch
note
note: the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 associate justices)
subordinate courts
High Court (first appellate court); District or Dzongkhag Courts; sub-district or Dungkhag Courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the monarch on the advice of the National Judicial Commission, a 4-member body to include the Legislative Committee of the National Assembly, the attorney general, the Chief Justice of Bhutan and the senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; other judges (drangpons) appointed by the monarch from among the High Court judges selected by the National Judicial Commission; chief justice serves a 5-year term or until reaching age 65 years, whichever is earlier; the 4 other judges serve 10-year terms or until age 65, whichever is earlier
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers or Lhengye Zhungtshog members nominated by the monarch in consultation with the prime minister and approved by the National Assembly; members serve 5-year terms
chief of state
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK (since 14 December 2006)
head of government
Prime Minister Tshering TOBGAY (since 28 January 2024)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary but can be removed by a two-thirds vote of Parliament; leader of the majority party in Parliament is nominated as the prime minister, appointed by the monarch
National holiday
National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
National color(s)
orange, yellow
Political parties
Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT Bhutan Tendrel Party or BTP Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa or DTT People's Democratic Party or PDP United Party of Bhutan (Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa) or DNT
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Chi Tshog)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom)
history
adopted 1953
lyrics/music
Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI
National symbol(s)
mythical thunder dragon ( druk )
Administrative divisions
20 districts ( dzongkhag , singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Dagana, Gasa, Haa, Lhuentse, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatshel, Punakha, Samdrup Jongkhar, Samtse, Sarpang, Thimphu, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse, Trongsa, Tsirang, Wangdue Phodrang, Zhemgang
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
National Assembly (Tshogdu)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
47 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
1/9/2024
expected date of next election
January 2029
percentage of women in chamber
4.3%
parties elected and seats per party
People's Democratic Party (PDP) (30); Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) (17)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
National Council (Gyelyong Tshogde)
term in office
0 years
number of seats
25 (20 directly elected; 5 appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
4/20/2023
expected date of next election
April 2028
percentage of women in chamber
12%
parties elected and seats per party
N/A; note - the National Council is not party-based
Diplomatic representation in the US
note
note: Bhutan and the United States do not have diplomatic relations, but the two countries established consular relations on 23 July 1986; the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Bhutan was established in New York with an officer from the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the United Nations holding dual accreditation as the Consul General with consular jurisdiction in the US; Phuntsho NORBU has served as the Consul General since October 2022 and is the Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN
consulate(s) general
343 East, 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 682-2371 FAX: [1] (212) 661-0551 email address and website: consulate.pmbny@mfa.gov.bt https://www.mfa.gov.bt/pmbny/
Diplomatic representation from the US
note: Although Bhutan and the United States have never established formal diplomatic relations, the two countries maintain informal relations via the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, and Bhutan’s Mission to the United Nations in New York
International organization participation
ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt