STAT Brief

FROM VILLAGES TO CITIES 
INTERNAL MIGRATION AND LABOUR MOBILITY IN BHUTAN 

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Bhutan is at a demographic crossroads. Rapid internal movement and rising international migration are reshaping the national workforce. This brief outlines the critical findings from the 2025 Quarterly Labour Force Survey to guide regional development and urban planning.

1. Demographic Shift and Rural-Urban Divide

• Mass Rural Exodus: Between 2005 and 2017, over 110,000 people left rural communities, causing the urban population to surge from 30.9% to 37.8%.

• Regional Imbalances: The Western region (Thimphu, Paro, Chhukha) is the primary destination, attracting 55.1% of all lifetime migrants.

• Structural Depopulation: Eastern Dzongkhags like Trashi Yangtse, Monggar, and Trashigang are experiencing “structural depopulation,” with high migration efficiency ratios indicating significant net population loss.

• The Global Factor: Nearly 1 in 10 citizens (approx. 66,000) are now living or working abroad, significantly impacting the domestic labour supply.

2. Profile of the Bhutanese Migrant

Education-Driven: Migration is more prevalent among those with higher education (middle secondary to master’s degrees). Non-migrants are concentrated in primary or non-formal education.

• Age Selective: Migration peaks in young adulthood (25–34 years) and declines sharply after age 40. A youth aged 15–19 is expected to move approximately 13 times in their remaining lifetime.

• Gendered Drivers: Male migration is primarily employment-driven (43.8% for new jobs or transfers), while female migration is largely family-related (36.6%) or due to marriage (19.8%).

3. Labour Market Dynamics

Sectoral Shifts: Migrants are predominantly in the service sector (58.3%) and industry (22.0%), whereas 51.4% of non-migrants remain in agriculture.

•   The Unemployment Paradox: Despite moving for work, migrants face a higher unemployment rate (4.5%) than non-migrants (2.8%). Migrant youth (15–19) and urban female migrants (6.8%) are particularly vulnerable.

• Income Disparity: Non-migrants earn more on average (Nu. 31,990/month) compared to migrants (Nu. 22,855/month), likely due to better local labour market integration and stable employment for non-movers.

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