est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 116.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 51.46 years
male: 51.96 years
female: 50.93 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Bhutanese

Ethnic divisions: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or
migrant tribes 15%

Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced
Hinduism 25%

Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan
dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 42.2%
male: 56.2%
female: 28.1%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form: Bhutan

Data code: BT

Type of government: monarchy; special treaty relationship with
India

Capital: Thimphu

Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and
plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi,
Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar,
Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang

Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India)

National holiday: National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen
Wangchuck became first hereditary king)

Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights
note: Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the
National Assembly

Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections

Executive branch:
Chief of State and Head of Government (Druk Gyalpo): King Jigme
Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) is a hereditary monarch
Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde): was nominated by the king
cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) was appointed by
the king

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Tshogdu): members serve for three years; seats -
(150 total, 105 elected from village constituencies, 12 represent
religious bodies, and 33