Bhutan Facing Existential Crisis? 66,000 Youth Leave Country For Work Abroad. Why?

According to reports, the 2021 Australian census recorded around 12,500 Bhutanese residents.

Bhutan is a country with a population of just 7.86 lakh and around 66,000 of its youth have left the country in recent years and are now working abroad. This figure translates to nearly 9% of the total population, and an even larger chunk of the working-age group.

But what is driving this quiet emigration from the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon? Why is the country failing to retain its brightest minds? Is it just income or something more serious and deeper?

PM Tshering Tobgay Warns of Existential Threat to Bhutan’s Sovereignty

Addressing the National Council on June 20, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay spoke about the migration of a large number of youths from the country.

The Prime Minister said that around 66,000 Bhutanese currently reside abroad, many of whom are skilled, educated, experienced civil servants, teachers, nurses and other professionals.

He described it as an “existential threat” and a “national crisis,” warning that if the trend continues, it could severely deplete Bhutan’s population, particularly its productive age group. This, in turn, would put the country’s sovereignty, economic stability, and essential services at grave risk.

Why Are Many Leaving Bhutan?

While Bhutan continues to emphasise values like simplicity, sustainability, and happiness, many of its youth are seeking something the country currently cannot offer in adequate measure: economic opportunity.

As per reports, government salaries remain modest, and private sector growth is limited. This economic imbalance, coupled with the rising cost of living, is pushing people to seek better-paying opportunities abroad.

Stating that if the primary reason behind the migration of the youth is income then Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said that the country need to explore ways to create jobs in the country that offer earnings comparable to those abroad.

What Are the Top Countries Bhutanese Are Moving to?

According to a Newsreel Asia report, each year, an increasing number of Bhutanese students and professionals are heading abroad, primarily in pursuit of better education and employment opportunities.

Countries like Australia and Canada have become preferred choices, but Australia stands out as the top destination.

This growing trend has raised concerns at the highest levels of the Bhutanese government, particularly due to its scale and long-term implications.

The report stated that the 2021 Australian census recorded around 12,500 Bhutanese residents.

However, that number has surged significantly in just a few years. Citing Chimi Dorji, President of the Association of Bhutanese in Perth Inc., the report states that more than 20,000 Bhutanese now live in Perth alone.

Post COVID-19 Pandemic Surge in Migration

The outflow of Bhutanese nationals surged significantly post-COVID-19 pandemic, as global borders reopened and international education and employment opportunities resumed.

With travel restrictions eased, there was a significant spike in applications for student and work visas particularly to Australia, which quickly became a primary destination for Bhutanese youth.

In response to growing migration volumes, the Australian government introduced stricter age limits, capping eligibility for onshore student and permanent residency visas at 45 years. Despite this, the flow of young Bhutanese especially undergraduates has remained largely unaffected, highlighting the persistent demand for overseas opportunities.

According to a report by The Bhutanese, as of June 2023, a total of 2,293 Bhutanese nationals had secured permanent residency in Australia since 2011.

Education and Health Sectors of Bhutan Buckle Under Pressure

The surge in mass migration is being felt acutely across Bhutan’s essential public services, particularly in education and healthcare. With thousands of skilled professionals leaving the country in search of better opportunities, both sectors are now grappling with severe staff shortages, declining service quality, and growing public concern.

According to Newsreel Asia report, in March 2025, the Ministry of Education announced a plan to rehire retired or resigned teachers in order to fill 1,126 vacancies nationwide. Some schools have reportedly operated for months without subject teachers. Officials have directly attributed the shortage to a growing exodus of educators seeking higher education or better-paying jobs abroad.

The healthcare system, meanwhile, is under even greater pressure. In June 2024, the Ministry of Health informed Parliament that Bhutan faced a shortage of 172 doctors and specialists and 824 nurses.

To cope with the shortfall, the government is now considering hiring foreign medical professionals.

A 2024 study cited by the Bhutan Broadcasting Service-BBS painted a troubling picture that 61 percent of Bhutanese nurses had prescribed medications without supervision, due to the unavailability of doctors.

This alarming development not only puts patients at risk but also reflects the immense strain on healthcare workers left behind.

World Bank Warns of Brain Drain in Bhutan

The World Bank has flagged Bhutan’s growing brain drain as a major risk to public service delivery and long-term development. The loss of trained and educated youth could affect not just urban centres but also rural regions.

Money Sent Home by Bhutanese Working Abroad Grow

While the rising number of Bhutanese leaving the country has created serious concerns, it has also led to a sharp increase in remittances- the money sent home by those working abroad.

According to the Royal Monetary Authority, between August 2023 and October 2024, Bhutan received $210 million in remittances. Of that amount, $132 million came from Australia alone. Other countries sending significant remittances include the United States, Kuwait, Canada, the United Kingdom, Qatar, the UAE, Singapore, Italy, and Bahrain.

The upward trend continued into this year. In just the first two months of 2025, Bhutan received $36 million in remittances a noticeable rise from $30 million during the same period in 2024. Once again, the majority $23 million came from Bhutanese living in Australia.

REVIVE and Rebuild: A National Effort to Reclaim Talent

To address the growing outmigration crisis, Bhutan has launched the National Reintegration Programme (NRP), also known as REVIVE, aimed at encouraging overseas Bhutanese to return by matching them with suitable jobs at home.

According to BBS, as of May 2025, 560 people had registered, but only 170 returned, and just 28 found jobs, mainly in hospitality.

Recognising the emotional ties many Bhutanese still hold for their homeland, the government has also turned to soft diplomacy. In October 2024, Their Majesties the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his wife, Queen Jetsun Pema visited Australia to engage directly with the diaspora and share the vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City– a futuristic, sustainable urban project meant to inspire national pride and offer a reason to return.

Also Read: How Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City Will Benefit Assam? Here’s What CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Has To Say

Also Read: Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City’s Core Team Calls on Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

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