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Beyond Expeditions. Beyond Business.
Beyond Imagination.
Top Destinations
Travelers' Choice
Beyond Expeditions. Beyond Business.
Beyond Imagination.
Beyond Expeditions. Beyond Business.
Beyond Imagination.
Beyond Expeditions. Beyond Business.
Beyond Imagination.
Bhutan is one of the world’s youngest democracies and one of its few remaining monarchies. In 2008, at the King’s initiative rather than through popular demand, it became a democratic constitutional monarchy, with an elected parliament and a written constitution.
| System | Democratic constitutional monarchy |
| Constitution | Adopted 18 July 2008 |
| Head of state | His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the fifth Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) |
| Parliament | The King, the National Council (25 members) and the National Assembly (47 elected members) |
| Capital | Thimphu |
| Administration | 20 dzongkhags (districts) and 205 gewogs (local blocks) |
The Wangchuck dynasty has ruled since 1907. The Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, decentralised power, championed Gross National Happiness and prepared the path to democracy before handing the throne to his son in 2006. The Fifth King was crowned in 2008. The constitution provides for the monarch to step down at 65, and allows the King to be removed only on a motion passed by three-fourths of a joint sitting of Parliament and then approved in a national referendum.
The National Assembly is elected by constituencies, and the party that wins a majority forms the government, led by a prime minister. The National Council has 20 members elected from the dzongkhags, who must not belong to any party, and five eminent members appointed by the King. National Assembly elections are held every five years, with a primary round that leaves two parties to contest the general election. National Council elections are held separately and are non-partisan.
The judiciary is independent and headed by the Supreme Court, with a High Court and district courts below. Bhutan abolished the death penalty in 2004. Its legal tradition draws on Buddhist values and a legal code dating back to the 17th century, now replaced by modern legislation.
Since the 17th century Bhutan has followed a dual system of religious and secular authority, reflected in the dzongs that house both monks and government offices. The Central Monastic Body is led by the Je Khenpo, the chief abbot. The constitution makes Buddhism the spiritual heritage of the country while guaranteeing freedom of religion, and keeps religion separate from politics.
The constitution guarantees free access to basic public health services and free education up to tenth standard. Bhutan is a member of the United Nations (since 1971), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and BIMSTEC. Its closest relationship is with India, and it maintains friendly ties with many countries while keeping a small number of embassies abroad.