Bhutan: health and care

How many doctors and hospitals does Bhutan have?

Bhutan had 463 doctors and 59 hospitals in 2025, according to the Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2025 from the National Statistics Bureau. Its health table for 2024 lists 194 primary health centres, 1,660 hospital beds and about 5 doctors and 20 nurses per 10,000 people.

The figures come from the Ministry of Health. More than 90% of the population lives within three hours' walk of a health facility, and 99% of births were attended by trained staff in 2024, according to the same table.

Official sources: NSB: Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan 2025 (PDF)

What is the life expectancy in Bhutan?

Life expectancy at birth in Bhutan was 73.3 years in 2024, according to World Bank data updated on 8 October 2026. Infant mortality was 13.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, according to the same source.

These are modelled estimates based on UN population data. The National Statistics Bureau's Statistical Yearbook gives projected population figures; it projects a population of 790,718 for 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: life expectancy, Bhutan · World Bank: infant mortality, Bhutan

How long do people live in Bhutan?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 73.3 years. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 4th highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 74.1 years. Worldwide: 102nd of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Bhutan?

The latest figure from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, for 2024, is 13.7 per 1,000. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across South Asia the middle value was 17.9 per 1,000, and Bhutan placed 4th highest of 6. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 92nd highest.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Bhutan?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 47.0 per 100,000. No year since 2005 has been lower. South Asia median: 63.5 per 100,000; Bhutan is 4th highest of 6. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 97th highest.

What share of GDP does Bhutan spend on health care?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Bhutan was 4.4% of GDP in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.0% of GDP (2011) to 4.8% of GDP (2021). It is 3rd highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 4.0% of GDP. Worldwide: 141st of 191.

How much do people in Bhutan pay for health care themselves?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Bhutan was 25.5%, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 13.2% (2018) to 28.5% (2021). It is 5th highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 49.3%. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 109th highest.

How many doctors per person does Bhutan have?

0.55 per 1,000: that is the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Bhutan for 2022, according to the WHO. Since 2007 it has ranged from 0.21 per 1,000 (2007) to 0.56 per 1,000 (2021). Of 125 countries with 2022 data, 80th highest.

How many hospital beds per person does Bhutan have?

The WHO puts hospital beds per 1,000 people in Bhutan at 2.2 per 1,000 in 2023. The peak was 2.2 per 1,000 in 2021 and the low 1.6 per 1,000 in 2005. World rank, highest first: 46th of 73.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Bhutan?

According to WHO and UNICEF, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Bhutan was 97.0% in 2024. The peak was 99.0% in 2008 and the low 90.0% in 2006. Across South Asia the middle value was 97.0%, and Bhutan placed 3rd highest of 6. Worldwide: 31st of 191.