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Bhutan · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

48th of 185 · 1st in South Asia
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UnemploymentBhutan's unemployment rose from 1.4 % in 1996 to 3.2 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%3.2 %

Bhutan's unemployment rose from 1.4 % in 1996 to 3.2 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

121st of 183 · 4th in South Asia
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Youth unemploymentBhutan's youth unemployment rose from 4.2 % in 1996 to 17.1 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%10%20%30%17.1 %

Bhutan's youth unemployment rose from 4.2 % in 1996 to 17.1 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

63rd of 182 · 1st in South Asia
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ParticipationBhutan's participation fell from 70.2 % in 1996 to 64.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202562%64%66%68%70%72%64.8 %

Bhutan's participation fell from 70.2 % in 1996 to 64.8 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

67th of 182 · 1st in South Asia
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Bhutan's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 56.8 % in 1996 to 56.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202550%55%60%65%70%56.7 %

Bhutan's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 56.8 % in 1996 to 56.7 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

52nd of 182 · 1st in South Asia
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Bhutan's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 69.2 % in 1996 to 62.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202558%60%62%64%66%68%70%62.7 %

Bhutan's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 69.2 % in 1996 to 62.7 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

155th of 182 · 5th in South Asia
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Labour force, totalBhutan's labour force, total rose from 226,241 in 1996 to 411,263 in 2025.200020052010201520202025200k250k300k350k400k450k411,263

Bhutan's labour force, total rose from 226,241 in 1996 to 411,263 in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

33rd of 182 · 3rd in South Asia
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Bhutan's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 75.6 % in 1996 to 69.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202568%70%72%74%76%69.5 %

Bhutan's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 75.6 % in 1996 to 69.5 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

155th of 182 · 4th in South Asia
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Bhutan's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 75.5 % in 1996 to 69.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202568%70%72%74%76%69.0 %

Bhutan's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 75.5 % in 1996 to 69.0 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

35th of 182 · 2nd in South Asia
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Bhutan's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 65.6 % in 1996 to 42.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202540%50%60%70%42.4 %

Bhutan's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 65.6 % in 1996 to 42.4 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

133rd of 182 · 6th in South Asia
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Bhutan's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 5.0 % in 1996 to 15.9 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%15%20%15.9 %

Bhutan's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 5.0 % in 1996 to 15.9 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

147th of 182 · 4th in South Asia
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Bhutan's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 29.4 % in 1996 to 41.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202525%30%35%40%45%41.8 %

Bhutan's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 29.4 % in 1996 to 41.8 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

101st of 168 · 3rd in South Asia
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Bhutan's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $11.4k in 1996 to intl $33.5k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $10kintl $15kintl $20kintl $25kintl $30kintl $35kintl $33.5k

Bhutan's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $11.4k in 1996 to intl $33.5k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Bhutan.

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