Bhutan Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Bhutan's dependency ratio was 36.67 in 2025, ranked 206th globally. This represents a 2.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Bhutan's dependency ratio stood at 36.67 in 2025, a decline of +1.08 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 36.67 by 2025. Bhutan ranked 206th globally.
Bhutan’s dependency ratio fell dramatically from an all‑time peak of 84.53 in 1987 to a trough of 36.67 in 2025, positioning the kingdom at rank 206 globally with the lowest ratio among the 66 years of World Bank coverage. The steep decline reflects sustained fertility reductions, rising life expectancy and a growing labor‑force participation among younger cohorts, which together have shifted the population structure toward a larger proportion of working‑age adults. By contrast, peer nations such as Jamaica (36.29) and St. Lucia (37.06) exhibit similar low ratios, underscoring a regional pattern of demographic transition in small economies. The 2025 trough suggests that Bhutan has moved beyond the demographic dividend phase and is approaching a more balanced age composition, though a future rise in the elderly share could modestly increase the ratio. Continued investments in health, education and labor‑market integration will be pivotal to maintaining the current downward trajectory and averting a potential reversal as the population ages.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 34.75 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 35.71 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 36.67 | - | - |
| 2025 | 36.67 | −1.08 | #206 |
| 2024 | 37.75 | −0.81 | #14 |
| 2023 | 38.56 | −0.88 | #16 |
| 2022 | 39.44 | −1.00 | #17 |
| 2021 | 40.44 | −1.18 | #20 |
| 2020 | 41.63 | −1.42 | #26 |
| 2019 | 43.04 | −1.61 | #31 |
| 2018 | 44.65 | −1.67 | #37 |
| 2017 | 46.32 | −1.23 | #51 |
| 2016 | 47.55 | −0.79 | #62 |
| 2015 | 48.34 | −0.77 | #67 |
| 2014 | 49.11 | −0.73 | #78 |
| 2013 | 49.84 | −0.79 | #88 |
| 2012 | 50.62 | −0.97 | #98 |
| 2011 | 51.59 | −1.17 | #102 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bhutan matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bhutan's dependency ratio was 36.67 in 2025. Ranked 206th globally. This represents a 2.8% decrease from the previous year.
Bhutan's dependency ratio peaked at 84.53 in 1987.
The lowest dependency ratio in Bhutan was 36.67 in 2025.
Bhutan ranks 206th globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bhutan's dependency ratio is projected to reach 36.67 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Bhutan in 2025 was 36.67. This ranks 206th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bhutan_dependency-ratio,
title = {Bhutan Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bhutan/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}