ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.
Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
ORGANIZATION
ACCOUNTABILITY
ADB supports projects in developing member countries that create economic and development impact, delivered through both public and private sector operations, advisory services, and knowledge support.
Bhutan and ADB
ADB is helping Bhutan diversify its economy, catalyze private sector growth, improve connectivity, build climate-resilient infrastructure, and strengthen human capital.
In the Spotlight
Your Questions Answered: What is Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Index?
Milan Thomas, an ADB economist who specializes in social sector impact evaluation, and Yangchen C. Rinzin, a research fellow at the Centre for Bhutan and Gross National Happiness Studies, answer questions about the use of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness index.
Improving Road Connectivity Planning in Bhutan
Roads are lifeline for Bhutan to deliver goods and services. ADB is helping Bhutan to improve road transport planning and programming by enhancing DOR’s planning capacity, reviewing road connectivity, maintenance plan, and developing a masterplan.
Scaling Up Local Adaptation Measures through Climate-Responsive Decentralization Processes
This publication explores how climate change adaptation can be integrated into decentralized governance processes to address root causes of vulnerability in Asia and the Pacific.
Understanding Social Perceptions of Postsecondary Education and Training in Bhutan
This brief presents the first descriptive evidence of students’ and parents’ preferences for and perceptions of technical and vocational education and training and higher education in Bhutan.
Bhutan Facts
ADB's Work in Bhutan
Bhutan’s gross domestic product grew by an estimated 3.5% in 2021, reversing a deep 10.1% contraction in 2020 owing to the strict coronavirus disease (COVID-19) containment measures imposed by the government.
Bhutan’s economy experienced rapid annual average growth of 7% between 1988 and 2018. This growth was driven mainly by the construction and operationalization of large hydropower projects. The national poverty rate declined from 23% in 2007 to 8.2% in 2017 due to improvements in access to basic infrastructure and social services. Bhutan has made significant progress in terms of increasing life expectancy, expanding immunization rates, and raising school enrollment. It is on track to graduate from the United Nations’ list of least-developed countries by 2023.
Data: Bhutan
Forecasts are based on ADB's flagship publication, the Asian Development Outlook. Updated four times a year, it analyzes economic and development issues in developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.
Development indicators for Bhutan, including a selection of economic, environmental, and social indicators used globally to track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Results achieved are aggregate amounts of outputs and outcomes from operations reported in project completion reports and extended annual review reports circulated for the year.
Cofinancing operations enable ADB’s financing partners, governments or their agencies, multilateral financing institutions, and commercial organizations to participate in financing ADB projects.
ADB Projects in Bhutan View all projects
Featured
The Health Sector Development Program, supported by the ADF facility and additional ADF grant funding for a total of $20 million, is improving primary health care delivery and information systems in Bhutan.
Approved/Active
Proposed
- Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund
- Asia-Pacific Climate Finance Fund
- Asian Clean Energy Fund
- Asian Development Fund
- Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in Asia
- Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in Asia II
- Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility
- Clean Energy Fund
- Climate Change Fund
- Climate Innovation and Development Fund
- Financial Sector Development Partnership Special Fund
- Global Environment Facility
- Green Climate Fund
- High-Level Technology Fund
- Investment Climate Facilitation Fund
- Ireland Trust Fund for Building Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Small Island Developing States
- Japan Fund for Information and Communication Technology
- Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific
- Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism
- Japan Special Fund
- Netherlands Trust Fund under the Water Financing Partnership Facility
- Project Preparation and Implementation Support Trust Fund
- Regional Cooperation and Integration Financing Partnership Facility
- Regional Cooperation and Integration Fund
- Republic of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund
- Technical Assistance Special Fund
- Water Financing Partnership Facility
What's New
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| Publications, Papers and Briefs
Does Wild Food Contribute to Food Security? Evidence from Rural Bhutan
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| Video
Improving Road Connectivity Planning in Bhutan
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| Papers and Briefs
Scaling Up Local Adaptation Measures through Climate-Responsive Decentralization Processes
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| Papers and Briefs
Understanding Social Perceptions of Postsecondary Education and Training in Bhutan
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| Reports
Leveraging Thematic Circuits for BIMSTEC Tourism Development
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| Reports
BIMSTEC Trade Facilitation Strategic Framework 2030
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| Papers and Briefs
Promoting Entrepreneurship in Bhutan
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| News from Country Offices
ADB Approves $20 Million Financing to Improve Water Management and Resilience in Bhutan
Contact: Bhutan Resident Mission (BHRM)
2nd Floor, Royal Textile Academy Building Norzin Lam, Chhubachhu, Thimphu - 11001
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
Fax +880 2 9117925 to 26
Bhutan Resident Mission (BHRM) provides support to ADB Headquarters in:
- country programming
- project processing
- project administration
- tripartite portfolio review meeting
BHRM is also responsible for strengthening:
- relations with the government, civil society, and the private sector
- policy dialogue
- country reporting
- aid and development partner coordination
- external relations and information dissemination
BHRM will be closed on these dates:
- Winter Solstice: January 2 (Monday)
- Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King: February 21 (Tuesday)
- New Year (Losar): February 22 (Wednesday)
- Birth Anniversary of Guru Rimpoche: June 28 (Wednesday)
- The First Sermon of Lord Buddha: July 21 (Friday)
- Thimphu Drupchen Dromchoe: September 20 (Wednesday)
- Thimphu Tshechu: September 25, 26 (Monday, Tuesday)
- Dashian Festival: October 24 (Tuesday)
- Coronation of His Majesty the King: November 1 (Wednesday)
Last updated: 13 December 2022