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Vision:

To build a robust statistical system that adapts to changing statistical needs for evidence-based decision making.

Mission:

To provide quality statistical products and services that are reliable, relevant, and timely in accordance with the fundamental principles of official statistics.

Core Values:

1. Integrity – Perform task with highest moral and ethical standards (Thadamtse);  

2. Professionalism – Discharge duties competently, diligently, efficiently and effectively with humility and sensibility;  

3. Accountability – Be accountable in all operations at all levels to build trust and confidence in the statistics produced; 

4. Teamwork – Work as a team and in a coordinated way with entities within and outside of the statistical system; and

5. Adaptability – Respond to change with a positive attitude and willingness to learn and adopt innovations and emerging technologies to deliver the mandate. 

Mandates of the National Statistics Bureau:

1. Central authority and custodian for production and dessemination of all  official statistics;

2. Strengthen the national statistical system;

3. Strengthen and stremline adminstrative data collection, validation and dissemination;

4. Serve as a one-stop-centre for dissemination of offficial statistics including Sustainable Development Goals;

5. Develop national statistical standards, methods and classifications in conformity with international standards;

6. Adopt and implement new internationl statistical frameworks/standards as relevant;

7.Plan, coordinate, and conduct national surveys and censuses including population and housing census ;

8.Provide technical clearance for the conduct of surveys and censuses and publication and reports thereof;

9. Publish regular statistical and thematic reports;

10. Validate, authenticate, and disseminate official statistics;

11. Provide timely, relevant and reliable statistics;

12. Ensure good data governance and data ecosystem;

13. Harness new data sources through use of emerging technologies such as data science, AI, geospatial, drones, machine learning etc.;

14. Serve as a focal agency for international statistical cooperation;

15. Serve as the parent agency for statistical professionals working in various government agencies; 

16. Provide professional guidance, technical supports and statistical activities;

17. Conduct data literacy and advocacy programs; and 

18. Support formulation, monitoring and evaluation of annual and Five-Year Plans.

Division Mandates

Economic and Environmental Statistics Division:

1. Publish the monthly Consumer Price Index;

2. Publish quarterly Producer Price Index;

3. Publish the Construction Material Index;

4. Publish International Comparison Price data for the Purchasing Power

Parity;

5. Publish Export Import Index;

6. Publish the annual National Accounts Statistics;

7. Prepare quarterly Gross Domestic Product Estimates;

8. Publish Supply and Use Table;

9. Conduct Economic Census of Bhutan;

10. Develop Environmental Accounts for Bhutan;

11. Publish the Environmental Statistics; and

12. Develop Business Register for Bhutan.

Social Statistics Division:

1. Plan, prepare and conduct Population and Housing Census of Bhutan;

2. Plan and lead the listing and mapping of enumeration areas;

3. Build and maintain demographic database.

4. Tabulate population and census data;

5. Plan, prepare and conduct Mid-Decadal Census;

6. Prepare and publish estimates and projections of the population both at national and sub-national level;

7. Prepare and publish periodic reports on the fertility levels and trends and migration trends;

8. Prepare and publish annual reports on Vital Statistics – births, deaths and marriages.

9. Prepare and publish any other thematic reports of policy relevance;

10.Prepare, plan, coordinate and conduct Bhutan Living Standard Survey;

11.Prepare and publish Bhutan Living Standards Survey report;

12.Prepare and publish Poverty Analysis report;

13.Prepare and publish Multidimensional Poverty Index report;

14.Prepare and publish Poverty Assessment report

15.Prepare, plan and conduct quarterly Labour Force Survey;

16.Prepare and publish Labour Force Survey report; and

17.Provide technical capacity on social statistics (health, education, women & children, labour, crime, etc.).

Agricultural Statistics Division:

1. Carry out RNR Census, Agriculture survey and Livestock census in close collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock;

2. Generate reliable and quality agricultural statistics on time;

3. Ensure collection of adequate and quality data by strengthening, monitoring and putting validation mechanism at Gewog level;

4. Strengthen and improve agricultural statistics (RNR) in consultation with MoAL, Cabinet and other data users;

5. Adopt emerging best practices, methods and standards for improving Agricultural statistics;

6. Coordinate and facilitate geo-informatics and remote sensing application for agricultural statistics; and

7. Coordinate, collaborate and provide technical backstopping to Information Management Section (IMS), MoAL for any agricultural statistical activities.

Survey and Data Processing Division:

1. Establish National Statistics Standards (Questionnaire flow, sampling methodology & data analysis);

2. Carry out National Survey and Census;

3. Provide Survey/census clearance to line agencies;

4. Ensure adherence to the National Statistical Standards and products;

5. Technical backstopping to line agencies (planning, questionnaire design & Sampling methodology & data processing);

6. Prepare geographic information (Plan, coordinate, and administer all geographic and cartographic activities needed to facilitate the statistical programs in the country);

7. Store/maintain/digitize boundaries of Enumeration Area;

8. Recruit and train enumerators on the manual of survey/Census;

9. Carry out data processing (validation, entry & cleaning); and

10. Carry out data analysis (tabulation).

Coordination, Information and Research Division:

1. Publish Annual Statistical Yearbook of Bhutan and Bhutan At a Glance;

2. Collect, compile and submit quarterly Socio-economic indicator

3. Collect, compile and submit the monthly bulletin of statistics

4. Coordinate the monthly National Summary Data Page for Statistical Data and Meta Data Exchange;

5. Develop and maintain statistical information system – data repository (one stop shop for statistical information and improve storage, accessibility and dissemination of statistics);

6. Conduct data literacy program and promotion of various strategic initiatives for the dissemination of statistical information;

7. Compile and publish Annual Dzongkhag Statistics and Dzongkhag at a Glance;

8. Maintain Gewog level database / Bhutan Statistical Database System;

9. Coordinate and facilitate provision of technical assistance to other agencies in collaboration with line Divisions;

10. Facilitate and provide technical support to other agencies on research methodology; and

11. Conduct workshop/statistical conference and training for statistical personnel from time to time to keep abreast with the statistical techniques and other developments.

Secretariat Services:

  1. Carry out administrative services;

  2. Carry out procurement services;

  3. Deliver human resource services;

  4. Provide ICT services; and

  5. Carry out any other related officials matters.

Policy and Planning Services:

  1. Formulate national statistical policy and legal framework;

  2. Develop and coordinate the National Strategy for the Development Statistics;

  3. Develop and implement National Data Governance Framework;

  4. Develop Five Year Plans (FYP) for the National Statistical System (NSS) and monitor progress;

  5. Develop Annual Plans, key deliverables and monitor progress for NSB, Sectoral Statistical Officers and Dzongkhag Statistical Officers;

  6. Coordinate fortnightly and monthly performance coordination review meetings;

  7. Conduct mid-year, end-year, terminal review of the annual work plans/deliverables and FYP;

  8. Coordinate and provide periodic progress update to the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC);

  9. Conduct data needs assessment for the Key Performance Indicators of the Five-Year Plans and Sustainable Development Goals;

  10. Coordinate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the NSS; and

  11. Act as the strategic link between the Divisions, Director General and OPMC/Board.

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In 2024, Bhutan’s economy grew by 7.50 percent, with GDP reaching Nu. 280.00 billion (USD 3,299.84 million). Growth was led by Hotels and Restaurants, Public Administration, and Electricity. The services sector dominated the economy, followed by industry and agriculture.