The Kingdom of Bhutan has gone through a remarkable socio-economic transformation over the past five decades. It has progressed from a traditional stage of economic development with limited production rooted in one primary sector, to achieving the preconditions for an economic take-off. However, Bhutan is still confronted with a number of development challenges, including a narrow economic base, limited private sector development, underdeveloped credit markets and a build-up in economic inequality with significant youth unemployment.

This book chronicles Bhutan’s development story and discusses a range of policies that can unlock the country’s economic potential and overcome its limitations. It consolidates a body of knowledge accumulated by the Asian Development Bank while working with the Royal Government of Bhutan on monitoring and strengthening its macroeconomic management framework and through support to development activities throughout
the country.