Bhutan Population Pyramid (2026)
Bhutan has a population of 802,215 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 162nd-largest population in the world and 0.01% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 19.8% of the population and people aged 65 and over 6.8%, with 114.5 males for every 100 females.
Bhutan Demographics
Bhutan has 802,215 people in 2026, up 160.0% from 308,528 in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 4,956 (UN projection for 2026).
Under-15 share 19.8% — the 79th-lowest of 194 countries.
65+ share 6.8% — the 86th-lowest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Millennials — 29.5% (236,590)
All generations in Bhutan →Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how Bhutan's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
Bhutan has 114.5 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Men outnumber women by 54,125 (6.7% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:428,170
- Percentage:53.4%
Female Statistics
- Population:374,045
- Percentage:46.6%
- Ratio Format:1:0.874
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of Bhutan indicates more males than females.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 9,783 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,997 | 12.9 | 1.49 | estimate |
| 2022 | 10,001 | 12.8 | 1.48 | estimate |
| 2023 | 9,958 | 12.7 | 1.46 | estimate |
| 2024 | 9,914 | 12.5 | 1.45 | projection |
| 2025 | 9,836 | 12.3 | 1.44 | projection |
| 2026 | 9,783 | 12.2 | 1.43 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (9,783 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
Bhutan's median age is 31.0 years
Half the population is younger than 31.0 years, half is older — indicating a young society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 48,691 | 6.1% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 49,233 | 6.1% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 61,009 | 7.6% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 65,868 | 8.2% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 73,556 | 9.2% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 72,339 | 9.0% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 79,231 | 9.9% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 79,173 | 9.9% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 64,854 | 8.1% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 53,998 | 6.7% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 40,037 | 5.0% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 33,682 | 4.2% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 26,232 | 3.3% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 20,808 | 2.6% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 15,479 | 1.9% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 9,424 | 1.2% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 5,418 | 0.7% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 2,327 | 0.3% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 717 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 125 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 100+ | 11 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 4 (low birth and death rates): fertility is below the replacement level of 2.1 (1.43 children per woman), and births still exceed deaths (12.2 vs 6.0 per 1,000). Read more about Stage 4 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Bhutan Total Fertility Rate: 1.43 children per woman
Below the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.49 | 12.9 | |
| 2022 | 1.48 | 12.8 | ↓0.01 |
| 2023 | 1.46 | 12.7 | ↓0.02 |
| 2024 | 1.45 | 12.5 | ↓0.01 |
| 2025 | 1.44 | 12.3 | ↓0.01 |
| 2026 | 1.43 | 12.2 | ↓0.01 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Below global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 1.42
Bhutan's total fertility rate is 1.43 children per woman in 2026 (below replacement), below the replacement level of 2.1. Bhutan ranks 161 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the lowest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −79.1% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, Bhutan's population has increased by 371.9%.
The median age has increased from 17.0 in 1950 to 31.0 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding Bhutan's Demographics
Bhutan has a constrictive population pyramid — a base narrower than the middle, so younger cohorts are smaller than the ones above them.
Children under 15 make up 19.8% of the population and people aged 65 and over 6.8%.
The largest five-year age band is 30–34, at 9.9% of the population, compared with 6.1% in the 0–4 band.
Demographic Analysis: Bhutan's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
The working-age share is still rising, from 67.8% in 2016 to 73.4% in 2026 (dependency ratio 36.2).
Fertility Transition Stage
Bhutan is in a period of below replacement, with a total fertility rate of 1.43 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
Bhutan's median age changed by +5.6 years from 2016 to 2026, faster than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 802,215 |
| Male Population | 428,170(53.4%) |
| Female Population | 374,045(46.6%) |
| Median Age | 31.0 years |
| Sex Ratio | 114.5 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 158,933(19.8%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 588,973(73.4%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 54,309(6.8%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 36.2 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 27.0 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 9.2 |
| Pyramid Type | Constrictive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in Bhutan
How long the average person in Bhutan is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
Bhutan is projected to grow to 882,339 people by 2050 (+10.0% from 2026).
The median age rises from 31.0 in 2026 to 42.2 by 2050.
Bhutan's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 40.5%, growing from 0.3 million in 1970 to 0.4 million by 1980.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 309K to 433K
- • Growth rate of 40.5% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 18.3 to 17.8 years (−0.5y)
- • 65+ share changed by +0.1 points; under-15 share by +1.0 points
How Does Bhutan Compare to Its Neighbors?
Bhutan has a younger population than Sri Lanka. Bhutan has an older population than India, Pakistan, Bangladesh.
Bhutan
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
| Country | Population | Median Age | Youth % | Elderly % | Pyramid Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhutan (Current) | 802,215 | 31.0 | 19.8% | 6.8% | constrictive |
| India | 1,476,625,577 | 29.2 | 23.8% | 7.6% | stationary |
| Pakistan | 259,299,792 | 20.8 | 35.8% | 4.4% | expansive |
| Bangladesh | 177,818,045 | 26.3 | 27.3% | 6.8% | stationary |
| Sri Lanka | 23,348,314 | 33.6 | 21.4% | 12.8% | stationary |
Frequently Asked Questions About Bhutan
How does Bhutan rank globally by population?
Bhutan ranks 162nd in the world by population with 802,215 people as of 2026.
What does Bhutan's age structure reveal about its development?
Bhutan's age structure — 19.8% under 15, 73.4% working-age (15–64) and 6.8% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 4 of the demographic transition, with a constrictive population pyramid. The median age is 31.0 years.
What is the dependency ratio in Bhutan?
Bhutan has 36.2 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is Bhutan experiencing a demographic dividend?
Bhutan is in its demographic-dividend window. The working-age share is still rising, from 67.8% in 2016 to 73.4% in 2026 (dependency ratio 36.2). The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in Bhutan's population?
Bhutan has more males than females, with 114.5 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). Bhutan Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/bhutan
View UN World Population Prospects Data →