🇧🇹Bhutan Political Stability: 55.4/100

Bhutan is a landlocked country located on the southern slopes of the eastern Himalayas, bordered by China to the north and India to the south and east. The terrain is predominantly mountainous, with 98.8% of the land covered by steep mountains and deep valleys. Elevation ranges from 200 m in the south to over 7,570 m at Gangkhar Puensum, the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. The climate varies significantly with elevation, featuring subtropical conditions in the south and polar climates in the north, with five distinct seasons.

Bhutan has a population of approximately 771,608 people, with a significant portion involved in agriculture, forestry, or conservation. The country emphasizes Gross National Happiness as a measure of development, reflecting its unique cultural and social values. The population is predominantly Buddhist, which influences many aspects of daily life and culture.

World Bank governance: rule of law 59th percentile, corruption control 84th percentile, political stability 65th percentile.

Bhutan's strongest governance dimension is Control of Corruption at 84/100, placing it in the top quartile globally. This indicates relatively effective mechanisms for limiting misuse of public office for private gain.

The weakest dimension is Regulatory Quality at 23/100. Regulatory challenges may create an unpredictable environment for economic activity and daily life.

A wide 62-point gap between the highest and lowest indicators signals deeply uneven governance. Strong performance in Control of Corruption contrasts sharply with weakness in Regulatory Quality. This kind of imbalance often means that day-to-day experiences can vary dramatically depending on which government functions are involved.

Bhutan's moderate governance scores suggest travelers should prepare for some institutional inconsistency. Public services may be unreliable in certain areas, and regulatory enforcement can be uneven. Travel insurance and advance planning are recommended.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Bhutan as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.