Bhutan: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in Bhutan?

12.4% of Bhutan's population was poor in 2022, according to the Poverty Analysis Report 2022 from the National Statistics Bureau. The poverty line was Nu 6,204 per person per month, made up of Nu 2,852 for food and Nu 3,352 for non-food needs. Poverty was 17.5% in rural areas.

The figures come from the Bhutan Living Standard Survey, run every five years since 2003. The bureau warns that the 2022 estimates use a revised method and are not comparable with earlier poverty rates, which used a line set in 2007. Poverty rises with household size: it is under 1% in one-person households and 40.2% in households of nine or more.

Official sources: NSB: Poverty Analysis Report 2022 (PDF)

How fast are housing and utility costs rising in Bhutan?

The housing and utilities index in Bhutan's consumer price index rose 10.88% in the year to August 2026, and transport rose 10.63%, according to the National Statistics Bureau CPI report for August 2026. These were the main drivers of non-food inflation, which was 6.02%.

Overall inflation was 5.51%, so housing and transport costs rose faster than prices in general. The Ministry of Finance's budget report links higher inflation in 2026 to higher fuel prices. No separate rent or house price index was found on the bureau's site, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: NSB: CPI report August 2026 (PDF)

What is the inflation rate in Bhutan?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Bhutan at 3.6% in 2025. The peak was 10.9% in 2012 and the low 2.7% in 2018. It is 3rd highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 3.1%. Worldwide: 67th of 165.

How much do people in Bhutan spend?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in Bhutan was $1,579 in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from $453 (2006) to $1,624 (2023). It is 3rd highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is $1,494. Worldwide: 115th of 153.

What is the extreme poverty rate in Bhutan?

In 2022, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Bhutan was 0.0%, according to the World Bank. That compares with 3.6% in 2012. Of 72 countries with 2022 data, 65th highest.

What is the poverty rate in Bhutan?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in Bhutan at 12.4% in 2022. Worldwide: 40th of 52.

How unequal are incomes in Bhutan?

The World Bank puts the Gini index in Bhutan at 28.5 in 2022. That compares with 38.8 in 2012. Of 72 countries with 2022 data, 61st highest.