Monday, August 25, 2025
  • GMC
  • Webmail
  • Contact Us
  • About BBS
  • Privacy & Policy
ENG
DZO
BBSCL Logo
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Announcement
  • More
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule
Radio Live
No Result
View All Result
BBSCL logo
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Announcement
  • More
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule
No Result
View All Result
BBSCL logo

Mixed progress for Bhutan in 2025 SDG Review, challenges persist

August 6, 2025
in Other Stories, Social
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
0
SHARES
243
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Bhutan’s third Voluntary National Review 2025 paints a mixed picture of the country’s development journey, significant gains in poverty reduction, health, and climate action, but persistent challenges in employment, gender equality, and financing. The report, prepared ahead of the UN High-Level Political Forum, comes as Bhutan navigates its post-LDC status with the ambitious goal of achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The report, which reviews Bhutan’s progress on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, highlights remarkable achievements since 2015.

According to the review, Bhutan’s poverty rate has fallen from 28 per cent in 2017 to 11.6 in 2022, with extreme poverty nearly eradicated.

Further, deaths among mothers and young children have dropped, access to safe drinking water is almost universal, and forest cover remains above 69 per cent, reaffirming Bhutan’s status as the world’s only carbon-negative country.

The report also commended Bhutan’s progress in digital transformation, including the introduction of the National Digital Identity and online government services. Small business owners in the capital acknowledged that Bhutan’s digital landscape is indeed progressing, benefiting the citizens.

“We are in a good era where everything is going digital. The apps made by the concerned agencies are helping us, like renewing our driving license or booking air tickets straight from our smartphones,” said Nanda Lal Pradhan, Shopkeeper, Thimphu.

Despite these achievements, the report warns of slow progress in decent work and economic growth, SDG 8, because of rising youth unemployment and migration.

As of December 2024, an estimated 64,000 Bhutanese were reported to be residing in 111 countries, excluding the unregistered Bhutanese living abroad.

“It is good to see Bhutan being recognised for its environment and happiness. But for youth like us, employment is still a big issue. Many of my friends went to Australia just because opportunities here are limited,” said Sumitra Maya Subba, a High School Graduate, Thimphu.

“Our country is developing, but at the same time, the cost of living has gone up compared to before. For example, earlier we could buy 10 pieces of doma for Nu 20, but now even Nu 50 can’t buy six pieces of doma,” said Passang Dorji, Resident, Thimphu.

Additionally, gender disparities in employment and STEM education remain significant. In 2024, women constituted only four per cent of the total members of parliament.

According to the report, Bhutan’s graduation from the Least Developed Country category in 2023 has also reduced foreign grants by approximately 26 per cent, affecting developmental activities.

To address these gaps, the report calls for urgent action to accelerate the 13th Five-Year Plan and the 21st Century Economic Roadmap, and scale up innovative financing such as green bond whereby public and private institutions issue security debt to finance projects that contribute positively to the environment and climate.

The report also recommends fostering inclusive partnerships with civil society and the private sector.

Kinley Bidha

Edited by Phub Gyem

Previous Post

New health research centre in Monggar Regional Hospital aims to strengthen research and rural healthcare

Next Post

Bhutan down to one as Dechen Dorji advances to Asian Boxing Championship semi-finals

Next Post
Bhutan down to one as Dechen Dorji advances to Asian Boxing Championship semi-finals

Bhutan down to one as Dechen Dorji advances to Asian Boxing Championship semi-finals

Piped irrigation eases water woes in Trashigang’s Bikhar-Domkhar

Piped irrigation eases water woes in Trashigang’s Bikhar-Domkhar

No new infrastructure for Shaba Denkha until Local Area Plan is finalised

No new infrastructure for Shaba Denkha until Local Area Plan is finalised

RECOMMENDED NEWS

Villagers catch two men suspected of slaughtering missing cattle

Villagers catch two men suspected of slaughtering missing cattle

2 years ago
6
HRH Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck visits Yumchey

HRH Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck visits Yumchey

10 years ago
11
Fuel imports continue to rise

Fuel imports continue to rise

8 months ago
911
Bhutan Tendrel Party to be a “clean party”

Bhutan Tendrel Party to be a “clean party”

3 years ago
23

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

  • Accidents (15)
  • Agriculture (485)
  • Announcement (193)
  • Audience Survey Report (1)
  • Business (776)
  • Crime/Legal (382)
  • Culture (52)
  • Development (59)
  • Disaster (57)
  • Economy (304)
  • Education (439)
  • Entertainment (19)
  • Environment (79)
  • Feature (66)
  • Featured (9)
  • Festival (84)
  • GMC (20)
  • Headlines (13)
  • Health (655)
  • HYDROPOWER (1)
  • Legal (62)
  • Literature (10)
  • Livestock (81)
  • Media (27)
  • Other Stories (5,935)
  • Politics (422)
  • RCSC (2)
  • Recent stories (9)
  • Religion (46)
  • Sci/Tech (726)
  • Social (614)
  • Sports (482)
  • Technology (202)
  • Tourism (25)
  • Uncategorized (13,873)
  • Video (142)
  • Video Story (258)
  • Wildlife (43)

BROWSE BY TOPICS

Tender Announcement Vacancy Announcement

POPULAR NEWS

  • BPC’s investigation rules out transformer short circuit as Damchhu forest fire cause

    Viral video of Bhutanese man assaulted by locals and police in Jaigaon sparks safety concerns

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Gelephu Mindfulness City opens recruitment drive for Bhutanese professionals

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Authorities link 23 TikTok accounts to online shopping-based gambling, freeze 26 other bank accounts

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Trongsa Viewpoint Resort up for auction once again

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • A centenarian’s recipe to longevity

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
BBSCL

Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) is Bhutan’s primary national broadcaster, delivering diverse news and entertainment in multiple languages, fostering cultural understanding and public knowledge.

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority warns of deregistration if firms repeat violations
  • Bhawanijhora stream swells, disrupts lives and traffic in Phuentshogling
  • Dagapela town sees transformation with new constructions
  • Monggar Regional Transport office proposes upgrade of bus station and regional office
  • Some farmers in Haa turn to chilli farming for income

News Category

  • Accidents
  • Agriculture
  • Announcement
  • Audience Survey Report
  • Business
  • Crime/Legal
  • Culture
  • Development
  • Disaster
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Feature
  • Featured
  • Festival
  • GMC
  • Headlines
  • Health
  • HYDROPOWER
  • Legal
  • Literature
  • Livestock
  • Media
  • Other Stories
  • Politics
  • RCSC
  • Recent stories
  • Religion
  • Sci/Tech
  • Social
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Video Story
  • Wildlife
  • GMC
  • Webmail
  • Contact Us
  • About BBS
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 BBSCL. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Announcement
  • More
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule

© 2024 BBSCL. All rights reserved.