MigrantoImmigrants in Bhutan
51.4K foreigners live in Bhutan — 6% of the country's population
Immigrants in Bhutan by country
The 3 largest groups make up 98% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| India | 48810 |
| China | 986 |
| Nepal | 780 |
| USA | 147 |
| Japan | 137 |
| Thailand | 64 |
| Bangladesh | 55 |
| Denmark | 39 |
| Canada | 38 |
| United Kingdom | 37 |
| Myanmar | 35 |
| South Korea | 34 |
| Sri Lanka | 34 |
| France | 31 |
| Germany | 28 |
| Australia | 28 |
| Switzerland | 25 |
| New Zealand | 25 |
| Sweden | 23 |
| Pakistan | 22 |
| Netherlands | 20 |
| Philippines | 19 |
| Singapore | 18 |
| Italy | 12 |
By region of origin
99% of immigrants come from Asia
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Key facts
Immigrants in Bhutan in numbers
Indians are the largest group by a wide margin
95% of all immigrants were born in India, while the next group accounts for just 2%.
Immigration drives population growth
15% of the population growth of Bhutan since 1990 came from immigrants.
1 in 15 residents of Bhutan was born abroad
51.4K of 791.5K residents were born abroad — 6.5% of the population.
Immigrant population in Bhutan over time
Foreigners living in Bhutan, by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 21982 |
| 1995 | 25828 |
| 2000 | 29673 |
| 2005 | 37191 |
| 2010 | 44708 |
| 2015 | 47189 |
| 2020 | 49514 |
| 2024 | 51447 |
Largest groups over time
The 5 largest groups in Bhutan, by year
| Year | Indians | Chinese | Nepalis | Americans | Japanese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 20841 | 422 | 334 | 63 | 59 |
| 1995 | 24485 | 496 | 392 | 74 | 69 |
| 2000 | 28128 | 570 | 451 | 85 | 80 |
| 2005 | 35256 | 714 | 565 | 107 | 100 |
| 2010 | 42383 | 858 | 679 | 129 | 120 |
| 2015 | 44732 | 906 | 717 | 136 | 127 |
| 2020 | 46974 | 949 | 751 | 141 | 132 |
| 2024 | 48810 | 986 | 780 | 147 | 137 |
Fastest-changing groups
How each group's numbers have changed since the selected year
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many foreigners live in Bhutan?
Around 51.4K immigrants live in Bhutan — the world's #157 largest immigrant population.
What percentage of the population of Bhutan are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 6% of the population of Bhutan — that's 51.4K out of a total population of 791.5K.
Where do most immigrants in Bhutan come from?
Most immigrants in Bhutan come from India, China and Nepal — these three countries account for about 98% of all immigrants.
How many Indians live in Bhutan?
Around 48.8K Indians live in Bhutan — about 95% of all immigrants, the largest group.
Is the immigrant population in Bhutan growing?
Yes — over the past decade, the number of immigrants in Bhutan has grown from 47.2K to 51.4K, about 9%.
Where does the data on immigrants in Bhutan come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born abroad who now live in Bhutan. Their children born in Bhutan are not included.
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Living in Bhutan
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