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 [...]

India–Bhutan Ties Strengthen with Hydropower Launch

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bhutan for a two-day state visit to celebrate the 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and inaugurate the Punatsangchhu-II Hydropower Project. Received warmly by Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at Paro International Airport, Modi’s visit aims to deepen India–Bhutan relations and enhance cooperation in [...]

Changing Monsoons Threaten Nation’s Forests, Farms, and Hydropower

The country is facing increasing climate instability as changing monsoon patterns cause floods, droughts, and landslides, disrupting agriculture, forests, and hydropower. The World Meteorological Organization warns of record-high temperatures and erratic rainfall between 2025 and 2029, with wetter summers and drier winters threatening rural livelihoods. Farmers are struggling with unpredictable planting seasons, declining crop yields, [...]

Rising Inflation Puts Pressure on Bhutan’s Low-Income Families

With inflation at 3.8% and expected to hit 5.8% by December, many low-income families in Bhutan earning below Nu. 300,000 are struggling as food, fuel, and transport costs rise. While tax cuts were introduced, they bring no relief to those already exempt from income tax. Economist Dr. Pema Dorji attributes the inflation mainly to [...]

Bhutan’s Schools See Sharp Drop in Bullying Through Compassion and Connection

Across Bhutan, bullying in schools is declining as education shifts from punishment to compassion. Guided by the School Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Guidelines for Anti-Bullying Mechanisms in Educational Institutions launched by Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck in 2022, schools are fostering empathy, connection, and emotional intelligence among students. Programs such [...]

Heavy Rains Devastate Bhutan: Floods and Landslides Wreak Havoc

Heavy rain in Bhutan on October 4–5 caused flash floods, landslides, and bridge damage across many areas, including Haa, Chhukha, Samtse, Paro, Wangdue Phodrang, and Thimphu. The floods destroyed roads, bridges, homes, and cut off several communities from help. In Haa, bridges and roads were washed away. In Chhukha, the Wangchhu River overflowed and [...]

Bhutan Faces Rising Public Health Crisis from Alcohol Use

In Bhutan, alcohol has shifted from being a cultural companion to a serious public health and social crisis, contributing to domestic violence, accidents, illnesses, and mental health disorders. Drinking is still normalized, with abstinence often stigmatized. Experts argue that Bhutan needs a long-term, multi-sectoral strategy, not fragmented policies, to address the issue. While alcohol sales [...]

Window International Network (WIN)

Window International Network (WIN)

Window International Network (WIN)
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