Bhutan Rate of Natural Increase

The rate of natural increase (RNI) in Bhutan, which measures the difference between birth and death rates excluding migration, is relatively modest compared to some of its neighboring countries. As of recent estimates, Bhutan's RNI hovers around 1.1% per year, reflecting a steady but not rapid population growth. This rate is lower than that of India, whose RNI is approximately 1.5%, but higher than China, which has seen its RNI drop close to zero or even negative in some years due to declining birth rates and an aging population. Nepal, another neighbor, has an RNI similar to Bhutan’s, at about 1.2%. These differences highlight Bhutan’s position as a country with moderate natural population growth, shaped by successful health interventions, improving education, and family planning initiatives, while also reflecting broader demographic transitions occurring across South Asia.

Data from US Census International Database