Green Growth Opportunities for Bhutan

Bhutan has recently made significant
progress in sustaining economic growth and reducing poverty.
In 2012, average per capita household income was somewhat
under USD 2,400/year (Living Standards Measurement Surveys
2012). Growth has averaged around 9 percent per annum over
the past decade and is expected to be on the order of 8
percent per annum over the next five years. According to the
2012 Bhutan Poverty Analysis, 12 percent of the population
are what is known as consumption poor , half the number as
compared to 2007. Furthermore, extreme poverty defined as
less than $1.25/day in PPP terms has fallen to only 2
percent of the total population. Bhutan has virtually
eliminated extreme poverty within the living memory of one
generation. Bhutan s population remains rural to a
significant extent. According to a 2005 population census,
69 percent of the population lived in rural areas. And there
remain significant income differences between urban and
rural areas; average per capita household income in rural
areas is estimated to be 28,000 Nu against 80,000 Nu in
urban areas. There is, though, significant ongoing migration
to population centers in search of increased opportunities.
The 2005 urban population share of 31 percent of total
population represents a substantial increase from only 5
percent in 1995.