Food Prices Hit Rural and Urban Families Hard

The National Statistics Bureau’s CPI report for December 2025 shows a continued rise in inflation, driven mainly by increasing food and non-food prices. Food inflation reached 4.36 percent, with notable increases in staples, beverages, and betel nuts, while non-food inflation stood at 2.70 percent, led by higher costs for clothing, health, restaurants, and transport. [...]

Bhutan Records 76.98% Pass Rate in Class VIII Exams

Bhutan achieved a 76.98 percent pass rate in the Class VIII Board Examination 2025, with 12,039 out of 12,143 students passing from 168 schools nationwide, reflecting broad participation across government and private institutions. The national merit list was topped by Sidanth Bhandari of Loselling Middle Secondary School with 94.6 percent, followed closely by Sangay [...]

Digital Abuse and Deepfakes Fuel Safety Fears

Official police data show a sharp rise in reported sexual offence cases nationwide, increasing from 108 in 2022 to 152 in 2025. Thimphu has emerged as the most affected dzongkhag, recording 113 cases, the highest in the country. Other urban centres such as Gelephu and Samtse have also seen high numbers, while less populated [...]

Bhutan’s Students with Disabilities Face Persistent Learning Gaps

The National Education Assessment (NEA) 2024 reveals that students with disabilities in Bhutan continue to perform below their peers, particularly in Mathematics, due to gaps in inclusive learning materials, limited teacher training, and inaccessible school infrastructure. Although 1,455 children with disabilities are enrolled nationwide, they scored 7–12 points lower on average across assessed subjects. Nearly [...]

Rising Costs Across Essentials and Services Worry Consumers

Inflation rose to 3.55% in November 2025, driven by continued increases in both food and non-food prices, according to the National Statistics Bureau. Food inflation was the main contributor at 4.67%, with notable rises in food and non-alcoholic beverages, while non-food inflation reached 2.75%, led by higher costs for clothing, restaurants, health services, and transport. [...]

Accountability Key to Effective Use of Government Resources

Effective management of public resources is a reflection of government integrity and a foundation of citizens’ trust. Transparency, beyond merely publishing budgets, requires clear communication about how funds are allocated, prioritized, and translated into tangible results. Global examples show that citizen participation, digital spending platforms, and open contracting can reduce corruption and strengthen accountability. Monitoring [...]

Youth Unemployment Remains Major Challenge in Bhutan

Labour Minister Ugyen Dorji said that during the 12th Five-Year Plan, there will be over 82,000 job seekers, most of them youth. Unemployment remains a big problem, rising to 12% in the 11th Plan. The government plans to create 67,000 jobs, including 20,000 through a direct employment scheme, with many aimed at youth. The [...]

Over 6,000 Diarrhea Cases Linked to Contaminated Water Nationwide

The RCDC’s Third Quarterly Bulletin 2025 shows serious contamination in Bhutan’s urban drinking water systems. Out of 531 urban water samples tested, almost 75 percent were unsafe due to E. coli, reflecting ongoing microbial pollution despite regular chlorination and monitoring. Urban water safety has remained low for ten consecutive quarters, consistently failing to meet [...]

Bhutan Leads Region in Teen Tobacco and Alcohol Use Despite Ban

Bhutan has banned tobacco sales, yet it still has the highest number of teenage tobacco users in South-East Asia. A WHO report shows that nearly one-fourth of Bhutanese teens smoke, and many also use other tobacco products. Among 5,809 surveyed students, around 1,700 reported using tobacco, making teen users about 9.4% of the population. [...]

Road Blocks Leave Gakiling Gewog Cut Off, Farmers Struggle

Gakiling Gewog in Haa Dzongkhag is struggling with major roadblocks after heavy rain on October 4, 2025, and Cyclone Montha. Landslides and floods cut off the Haa–Samtse highway, the Gewog Centre road, and several farm roads. Fuel for machines cannot reach the area, slowing road clearing. Although the Haa side was reopened on November [...]

Window International Network (WIN)

Window International Network (WIN)

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