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  • Title: Bhutan.
    Author: United Nations. Department of International Economic and Social Affairs. Population Division, United Nations Fund for Population Activities UNFPA.
    Journal: Popul Policy Compend; 1983 May; ():1-7. PubMed ID: 12312844.
    Abstract:
    Focus in this discussion of Bhutan is on the following: the history of the demographic situation; the government's overall approach to population problems; population data systems and development planning; institutional arrangements for the integration of population within development planning; the government's view of the importance of population policy in achieving development objectives; population size, growth, and natural increase; morbidity and mortality; fertility; international migration; and spatial distribution. Almost no demographic information was available in Bhutan until the 1st census was conducted in 1969, but the UN estimated the total population at 750,000 in 1950, increasing to 857,000 in 1960. The 1969 census placed the population at 939,774 and subsequently the population is estimated to have increased to 1.2 million by 1975. The government has not formulated an explicit, overall population policy, but it seeks to modify various demographic variables. The overall population size is considered inadequate to meet the labor force and development needs of the nation and efforts to control fertility are underway only in the few areas where population growth rates are relatively high. A formalized structure for the collection of population information and data has been established only recently. By 1975-80 the mortality rate is reported to have declined to 20.6/1000. Infant mortality declined from an estimated 210/1000 during 1950-55 to 167/1000 during 1970-75 and 156.3 by 1975-80. The main causes of death are believed to be gastrointestinal diseases and respiratory ailments, with a significant incidence of tuberculosis, malaria, goitre, and venereal disease. The government considers the situation with regard to morbidity and mortality to be unacceptable. The crude birthrate was estimated to reach a level of 41.3/1000 by the early 1980s. Despite the relatively high fertility levels, the government appears to consider these rates as satisfactory. The shortage of indigenous labor force and the sparse population in various regions are largely responsible for this perception. There is little emigration from the country and the government perceives the situation with regard to emigration as not significant and satisfactory. The level of immigration, although not exceedingly large in total numbers, is generally perceived to be significant and satisfactory in view of the current economic and manpower needs of the country. The population is unevenly distributed over more than 4500 settlements with the distribution closely following the character of the terrain, climatic conditions, and land productivity. The government perceives the spatial distribution of the population as inappropriate, especially in terms of the development needs of the country.
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