Bhutan
May 2024
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Estimated Australian ODA: 2024-25: $4.7m
Gross National Income Per Capita: US3,290 (2021)
Population: 782,445 (2022)
| Australian ODA | 2022-23 Actual ($m)* | 2023-24 Budget Estimate ($m)* | 2024-25 Budget Estimate ($m)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country Programs | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Regional | 1.7 | 2.6 | 2.5 |
| Global | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Other Government Departments | - | - | - |
| Total Aust. ODA to Bhutan | 3.9 | 4.9 | 4.7 |
*Due to rounding, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items in totals
Australia is supporting Bhutan to meet its sustainable development goals by helping build human capital, supporting women’s empowerment and addressing climate change. Australia is considered a modest but highly regarded donor in Bhutan.
Strategic direction
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, Australia's development cooperation program in Bhutan aims to:
- build human capacity through the provision of Australia Award scholarships and fellowships.
- support water security, climate mitigation and adaptation through the Water for Women Fund.
- support gender equality and women’s empowerment with the International Planned Parenthood Federation.
- increase regional economic links and growth through the South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity Program (SARIC).
Program highlights
- A total of 12 Australia Awards Scholarships were offered to Bhutanese awardees in 2024 (including 7 women) to undertake studies in the fields of economic growth, education, governance, and infrastructure.
- Working with the Bhutanese NGO ‘Respect, Educate, Nurture, Empower Women’ (RENEW) (a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation) to improve gender equality, strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights, and address gender-based violence.
- Through SARIC, Australia is contributing to Bhutan’s economic growth and alternative energy sources through the development and sale of hydropower to the region.
- Through Water for Women partner SNV, Australia supported Bhutan to reach 100 percent improved sanitation in 2022. Building on this success, we are now working with government and communities on water security, and increasing community resilience to the impacts of climate change.
