His Excellency the Prime Minister of Bhutan,
Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup launches the website
of the Office of Census Commissioner and the results of PHCB 2005.

FOREWORD

The socio-economic development initiated through Five Year Plans have propelled Bhutan into an era of modernization, socio-economic growth, prosperity and happiness. Bhutan is now on the threshold of the 10th Five Year Plan due to begin from 2007. And as the country gears up for yet another multitude of socio-economic development planning and programmes ahead, His Majesty the King has emphasized the importance of balanced development through practical and sustainable decision making based on reliable statistical data.

With the rapid socio-economic progress of the country, planning and decision making have also become equally complex and difficult and this has resulted in the increasing need for timely and reliable statistical data and information. The country's information base, however, remained relatively weak due to the lack of reliable database, mainly the population and housing data, on which most of our socio-economic indicators depend upon. [Complete Forward ]

Welcome

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the official website of the Population and Housing Census of Bhutan 2005 (PHCB 2005).

On May 30th and 31st 2005, Bhutan conducted its first ever Population and Housing Census in accordance with international standards as prescribed by the UN with financial and technical assistance from the UNFPA. The PHCB 2005 was undertaken on the basis of the command received from His Majesty the King and the resolution of the 82nd National Assembly of Bhutan.

The Results of the Population and Housing Census of Bhutan 2005 provides a valuable data on population, age-sex structure, migration, fertility and mortality, health and sanitation, households and housing charateristics etc.

If you are interested in knowing more about the census procedures and methodology, read the overview which will give you a background and a general idea of what it is about, or download our in-depth appraisal. The FAQ page answers some of the most commonly asked questions, but you can still get in touch with us to clear doubts.

We would like to thank every individual for their cooperation without which the PHCB 2005 would not have been successful. Last but not the least I would like to make a special mention of the resource personnel, trainer for the trainees, census enumerators, census coordinators and the dzongkhag, gewog and throm coordinators. 

Dr. Sonam Tenzin,
Census Commissioner.