🇧🇹Bhutan Political Stability: 55.4/100

Bhutan is a landlocked country located on the southern slopes of the eastern Himalayas, bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and several Indian states to the south and east. The country is predominantly mountainous, with 98.8% of its land covered by steep mountains and deep valleys. Elevation ranges from 200 meters in the south to over 7,570 meters at Gangkhar Puensum, the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Bhutan's diverse geography contributes to a variety of ecosystems and climates, from subtropical in the south to polar in the north.

Bhutan has a population of approximately 771,608 people, with a significant portion engaged in agriculture, forestry, or conservation. The country is known for its commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and biodiversity, which is reflected in its policies and practices.

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.