Millennium Development Goals in Bhutan

Bhutan continues to make significant and sustained progress in achieving the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. The MDGs relating to poverty, educational attainments,
maternal and child health, high-risk diseases and environmental sustainability are in
themselves high-priority themes in Bhutans Five Year Plans. In addition, significant
investments in the social sectors of health and education by the government and
development partners have greatly contributed to overall progress toward attaining the
MDGs.
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Perhaps the clearest portrait of Bhutans development endeavor is painted by the recent
decrease in poverty across the country. While more than 23% of the population lived below
the poverty line in 2007, this number dropped by almost half, to just 12% in 2012, thus
achieving the MDG target set at 15 % (Bhutan Living Standards Survey 2012 Report).
2. Achieve universal primary education
Significant progress also has been made since 2008 toward overall education enrollment in
the country (primary to tertiary), particularly with support from UNICEF. The Gross Primary
Enrollment Ratio, targeted at 100% by 2015, reached 96% in 2012. Almost all students
(98.5%) reach Class VII, showing a clear improvement from the figure of 85.4% in 2007.
This is mainly due to more girls having the opportunity to stay in school.
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
The achievement of complete gender parity at primary and secondary levels was achieved by
2009. Demonstrating this, the ratio of girls in tertiary education has risen sharply, from 54%
(2007) to 71% (2012)and the number continues to rise. However, under-representation of
women in the Parliament and weak participation in national decision making processes
continue to need attention in order to reach gender equality targets by 2015.
4. Reduce child mortality
Bhutan is on track to achieve the MDG target to reduce under-five mortality rates by two
thirds. Between 1990 and 2012, mortality of under-five children has been reduced by half:
the mortality rate was 84 per 1000 live births in 2000, and 69 per 1000 live births in 2010.
5. Improve maternal health

Bhutan has reduced maternal mortality rates by about nearly three-quarters between 1990
and 2012. Most maternal deaths are due to post-partum hemorrhage occurring either at
home or because women arrive too late at hospitals which necessitates easy access to
emergency obstetric care services. Work needs to be done in ensuring health personnel
attend all births. While significant progress has been made in the attendance of trained
health personnel in births, from just 19% in 1990 to 69% in 2012, work remains to be done,
especially in rural and remote areas.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
The support and contribution of WHO have been significant in helping to improve Bhutans
health system. Bhutan has one of the most comprehensive primary health care systems in
the world, with 90% of the population having access to health care services. The rate of
immunization has risen from 90% in 2007 to 94.4% in 2012, close to meeting the MDG target
of 95%.
Given the low population base, the rising trend of HIV infection is an alarming development.
By June 2014, a total of 380 cases had been detected. UNAIDS estimates that more than
1,100 people could be infected in Bhutan. The total numbers of HIV cases detected remains
small in global comparison and the prevalence is estimated to be around 0.15% of the
national population.
Malaria, once a major public health burden no longer poses a serious threat: only 194 cases
of malaria were detected in 2012. The mortality from malarial infection has reduced from 63
in 1993 to only one death in 2012.
Tuberculosis incidence and cases have actually increased from 720 cases in 1990 to 1156
cases in 2012. With the rising HIV/AIDS prevalence, there is a danger that TB incidences and
related fatality may continue to increase as well.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
Bhutan continues to be a global leader in environmental policy and conservation, with support
from development partners like UNDP. More than 70% of the country is covered by forest,
and over half of the land area is designated as protected areas and biological corridors. Due
to dense forests, Bhutan is one of the carbon sinks in the world and has negative CO2
emissions per capita.
Bhutan is also an early achiever with regard to its targets for the provisioning of clean water,
approaching the near-universal coverage by 2015. In 2012, 94% of Bhutanese had access to
clean drinking water.