Bhutan Poverty and Equity Assessment 2024 - Sustaining Progress in Poverty and Inequality Reduction in Bhutan

Jul 19, 2026

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Bhutan Poverty and Equity Assessment 2024 reviews poverty and inequality dynamics from 2017 to 2022 to inform policy under Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan (2024–2029). It documents a decline in the national poverty rate from 28% to 11.6%, supported by growth, labor market improvements, agricultural productivity, COVID-19 relief, remittances, and better access to services. The analysis also highlights uneven progress, persistent rural poverty, continuing income inequality, service-quality disparities, and emerging risks from climate vulnerability and youth unemployment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages121

Reading Time5 h 5 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Purpose and collaboration

Key results on poverty reduction

Drivers of progress

Remaining challenges and emerging risks

Targeted policy actions under the 13th FYP

Public Disc losure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disc losure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized BHUTAN POVERTY AND EQUITY ASSESSMENT 2024 Sustaining Progress in Poverty and Inequality Reduction in Bhutan © 2025 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; [Internet: www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org) Standard Disclaimer: This volume is a product of the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors ofThe World Bank orthe governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute or be considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. Rights and Permissions: The material in this publication is copyrighted. Copying and/or transmitting portions or all of this work without permission may be a violation of applicable law. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank encourages dissemination of its work andwill normally grant permission to reproduce portions of the work promptly. For permission to photocopy or reprint any part of this work, please send a request with complete information to the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA, telephone 978-750-8400, fax 978-750-4470, [http://www.copyright.com/](http://www.copyright.com/) . All other queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to the Office of the Publisher, The World Bank, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA, fax 202-522-2422, e-mail: [pubrights@worldbank.org](pubrights@worldbank.org). Citation: World Bank. 2025. Bhutan Poverty and Equity Assessment 2024: Sustaining Progress in Poverty and Inequality Reduction in Bhutan. © World Bank. Photo credit: Cover photo by Nim Karma Sherpa. Inside photos by Bhutan Visuals. Bhutan Poverty and Equity Assessment FOREWORD As Bhutan embarks on the implementation of its 13th Five Year Plan (2024–2029), the Royal Government warmly welcomes the Bhutan Poverty and Equity Assessment 2024 as a timely and significant contribution to our national development efforts. Prepared by the World Bank in close collaboration with the National Statistics Bureau of Bhutan, this report provides a rigorous analysis of poverty and inequality trends from 2017 to 2022, offering valuable insights to inform policy decisions and support inclusive development. The report highlights Bhutan’s remarkable progress in poverty reduction, with the national poverty rate declining from 28 percent to 11.6 percent during this period. Key drivers include robust economic growth, improved labor market outcomes, enhanced agricultural productivity, effective COVID-19 relief programs, and strong remittance inflows. These gains were further reinforced by near-universal access to basic services and notable improvements in health, education, and multidimensional poverty. Together, these achievements reflect our deep commitment to the holistic development vision of Gross National Happiness. At the same time, the report draws attention to important areas where progress has been uneven. Poverty remains concentrated in rural areas, income inequality persists, and regional disparities in service quality continue. Bhutan also faces emerging challenges, including climate vulnerability, youth unemployment, and the outmigration of skilled wo

FAQs

What period and indicators does the Bhutan Poverty and Equity Assessment 2024 cover?

The report analyzes poverty and inequality trends from 2017 to 2022, focusing on poverty reduction performance and distributional issues relevant to policy decisions.

How much did Bhutan’s poverty rate decline between 2017 and 2022?

The national poverty rate fell from 28% to 11.6% over the period highlighted in the foreword.

What challenges does the report note even as poverty declines?

Poverty remains concentrated in rural areas, income inequality persists, and regional disparities in service quality continue, alongside emerging risks such as climate vulnerability and youth unemployment.

Jul 19, 2026

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