Bhutan GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Bhutan has a small Himalayan economy supported by hydropower, agriculture, services, tourism, and public investment. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+7.5%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#5
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+0.4 pp
2025: +7.1%
Asia Rank
#1
Out of 49 countries
1. Bhutan GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Bhutanese economic growth is influenced by hydropower generation, infrastructure investment, tourism, household demand, and trade with India. Major energy projects remain especially important.
2. Bhutan GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Bhutan’s growth history has been shaped by hydropower development, public investment, agriculture, and gradual expansion of tourism and services.
3. Bhutan GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +7.5% | +0.4 pp |
| 2025 | +7.1% | +1.0 pp |
| 2024 | +6.1% | +1.2 pp |
| 2023 | +4.9% | +0.1 pp |
| 2022 | +4.8% | +8.1 pp |
| 2021 | -3.3% | -0.8 pp |
| 2020 | -2.5% | -7.1 pp |
| 2019 | +4.6% | +1.8 pp |
| 2018 | +2.8% | -2.4 pp |
| 2017 | +5.2% | -2.4 pp |
| 2016 | +7.6% | +1.3 pp |
| 2015 | +6.3% | +2.5 pp |
| 2014 | +3.8% | +0.4 pp |
| 2013 | +3.4% | -3.4 pp |
| 2012 | +6.8% | -3.7 pp |
| 2011 | +10.5% | +0.2 pp |
| 2010 | +10.3% | +4.2 pp |
| 2009 | +6.1% | -3.8 pp |
| 2008 | +9.9% | -1.1 pp |
| 2007 | +11.0% | +4.7 pp |
| 2006 | +6.3% | +0.2 pp |
| 2005 | +6.1% | -0.3 pp |
| 2004 | +6.4% | -2.6 pp |
| 2003 | +9.0% | -0.5 pp |
| 2002 | +9.5% | +2.5 pp |
| 2001 | +7.0% | +0.1 pp |
| 2000 | +6.9% | -0.2 pp |
| 1999 | +7.1% | +1.1 pp |
| 1998 | +6.0% | +0.5 pp |
| 1997 | +5.5% | -0.5 pp |
| 1996 | +6.0% | 0.0 pp |
| 1995 | +6.0% | +3.8 pp |
| 1994 | +2.2% | -1.0 pp |
| 1993 | +3.2% | +1.1 pp |
| 1992 | +2.1% | -2.8 pp |
| 1991 | +4.9% | -4.2 pp |
| 1990 | +9.1% | +2.9 pp |
| 1989 | +6.2% | -8.9 pp |
| 1988 | +15.1% | -5.1 pp |
| 1987 | +20.2% | +12.2 pp |
| 1986 | +8.0% | +3.7 pp |
| 1985 | +4.3% | -3.3 pp |
| 1984 | +7.6% | +0.3 pp |
| 1983 | +7.3% | -0.9 pp |
| 1982 | +8.2% | -5.4 pp |
| 1981 | +13.6% | +8.6 pp |
| 1980 | +5.0% | — |
4. Bhutan GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+7.5%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+6.1%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+3.7%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+5.6%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from renewable energy exports and close economic links with India, while a small domestic market and project cycles create volatility.
5. Bhutan GDP Growth Rate vs Asia and World
Bhutan
+7.5%
Asia Average
+2.4%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
3.7%
7.5%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Bhutan’s GDP growth rate is approximately
5.1 pp
above the
Asia average
and
4.7 pp
above the world average.
6. Bhutan GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Asia
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bhutan | +7.5% |
| #2 | Vietnam | +7.1% |
| #3 | India | +6.5% |
| #4 | Uzbekistan | +6.5% |
| #5 | Kyrgyzstan | +6.1% |
| #6 | Tajikistan | +6.0% |
| #7 | Georgia | +5.3% |
| #8 | Armenia | +5.3% |
| #9 | Mongolia | +5.3% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Bhutan
Bhutan GDP (Nominal)
$3.9 Billion
(2026)
Bhutan GDP Growth Rate
+7.5%
(2026)
Bhutan can grow faster than mature economies when major hydropower projects come online. Its performance remains closely tied to investment and electricity exports.
Explore more:
Bhutan GDP
9. Bhutan GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on hydropower, tourism, infrastructure, private investment, and regional trade. Youth migration and project delays remain important challenges.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +6.3% | -1.2 pp |
| 2028 | +5.8% | -0.5 pp |
| 2029 | +7.2% | +1.4 pp |
| 2030 | +6.4% | -0.8 pp |
10. Bhutan GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Bhutan GDP growth rate is estimated at +7.5% in 2026.
It ranks #5 globally and #1 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate accelerated by 0.4 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +6.1%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +3.7%.
The current rate is 5.1 percentage points above the Asia average.
The current rate is 4.7 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +6.4% in 2030, 1.1 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Bhutan GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Bhutan GDP growth rate is estimated at +7.5% in 2026.
Bhutan ranks #5 globally and #1 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +7.5% in 2026.
Bhutan GDP growth rate was +6.3% in 2015.
Bhutan GDP growth rate is 5.1 percentage points above the Asia average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.