Dzongkhags of Bhutan: population and official figures
Bhutan is divided into 20 dzongkhags. The largest by population is Thimphu with 175,374 people (22.2% of the total); the smallest is Gasa with 4,581. Population figures are National Statistics Bureau projections for 2026 from the 2017 census. Each dzongkhag page adds jobs from the NSB Labour Force Survey (fourth quarter 2024), poverty from the 2022 Bhutan Living Standards Survey, crime and road deaths from the Royal Bhutan Police, hospitals and health centres from the Ministry of Health, and local government budgets for FY 2025-26 from the Ministry of Finance. Thimphu, Chhukha, Sarpang and Samdrup Jongkhar figures include their thromdes (city municipalities).
Who governs Bhutan's dzongkhags?
Districts (20): dzongkhag tshogdu (district council): Council of the elected gup and mangmi of each gewog plus a representative of the town; the dzongda (district administrator) is a civil servant appointed by the central government. Approves district plans and budgets; the dzongda leads district administration.
How local power works in Bhutan · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 20 dzongkhags, largest first
| # | Dzongkhag | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thimphu | 175,374 | 2026 | +2.5% |
| 2 | Chhukha | 70,515 | 2026 | +0.2% |
| 3 | Samtse | 63,379 | 2026 | +0.1% |
| 4 | Paro | 54,892 | 2026 | +1.8% |
| 5 | Sarpang | 52,455 | 2026 | +1.4% |
| 6 | Wangdue Phodrang | 48,907 | 2026 | +1.0% |
| 7 | Trashigang | 40,499 | 2026 | -1.5% |
| 8 | Monggar | 35,680 | 2026 | -0.6% |
| 9 | Samdrup Jongkhar | 34,735 | 2026 | -0.2% |
| 10 | Punakha | 32,552 | 2026 | +1.4% |
| 11 | Dagana | 26,380 | 2026 | +0.6% |
| 12 | Tsirang | 24,966 | 2026 | +1.2% |
| 13 | Trongsa | 23,983 | 2026 | +1.2% |
| 14 | Pema Gatshel | 23,924 | 2026 | +0.1% |
| 15 | Bumthang | 18,690 | 2026 | +0.5% |
| 16 | Zhemgang | 16,185 | 2026 | -1.2% |
| 17 | Trashi Yangtse | 16,158 | 2026 | -0.9% |
| 18 | Haa | 13,942 | 2026 | +0.2% |
| 19 | Lhuentse | 12,919 | 2026 | -1.4% |
| 20 | Gasa | 4,581 | 2026 | +1.6% |
More on Bhutan: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- National Statistics Bureau, Royal Government of Bhutan (copy hosted by UNFPA Bhutan): Dzongkhag Population Projections 2017-2027 (Table 1: projected population by sex and dzongkhag; Table 4: urban and rural; Tables A.2: broad age groups), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 fd95c4726e0a…)
- National Statistics Bureau, Royal Government of Bhutan: Labour Force Survey Quarterly Report, Fourth Quarter 2024 (Table 2.4: labour force participation; Table 4.1: unemployment, by dzongkhag/thromde), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ea0253d7b329…)
- National Statistics Bureau, Royal Government of Bhutan (with the World Bank): Poverty Mapping in Bhutan: Small Area Estimation, District and Town Level Results (2023), Table 4.1 survey estimates from the Bhutan Living Standards Survey 2022, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9241159c450d…)
- Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan: Annual Health Bulletin 2025 (data for 2024), Table 6.1: health facilities distribution by districts, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 97124fbf6163…)
- Royal Bhutan Police, Planning and Development Division: Statistical Yearbook 2024 (Table 3.1 criminal incidents, Table 6.1 fire incidents, Tables 7.3 and 7.7 motor vehicle accidents and deaths, by dzongkhag), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1f140360dcb9…)
- Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan: National Budget Financial Year 2025-26, Annexures 1-3: allocations for dzongkhags, thromdes and gewogs, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 42f8c49fbb00…)
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