Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Bhutan instead of North Korea, you would:

Economy

make 8.2 times more money

North Korea has a GDP per capita of $1,700 as of 2015, while in Bhutan, the GDP per capita is $14,000 as of 2022.

be 88.3% more likely to be unemployed

In North Korea, 3.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Bhutan, that number is 5.7% as of 2023.

Life

be 43.9% less likely to die during childbirth

In North Korea, approximately 107.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Bhutan, 60.0 women do as of 2020.

have 15.9% more children

In North Korea, there are approximately 13.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Bhutan, there are 15.3 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

be 29.1% less likely to be literate

In North Korea, the literacy rate is 100.0% as of 2015. In Bhutan, it is 70.9% as of 2021.

be 21.7% more likely to die during infancy

In North Korea, approximately 22.2 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Bhutan, on the other hand, 27.0 children do as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 82.8% more likely to have access to electricity

In North Korea, approximately 55% of the population has electricity access as of 2022. In Bhutan, 100% of the population do as of 2022.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook.

Bhutan: At a glance

Bhutan is a sovereign country in South Asia, with a total land area of approximately 38,394 sq km. In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs, and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned to Bhutan the areas annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which introduced major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be "guided by" India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. Elections for seating the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008; the king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following parliamentary elections in 2013, which routed the incumbent party. The disposition of some 30,000 Bhutanese refugees - housed in two UN refugee camps in Nepal - remains unresolved.
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