Part 84

Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 378,407; female 351,146) 15-64 years: 56% (male 524,972; female 496,715) 65 years and over: 4% (male 36,304; female 35,081) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.32% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 38.48 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 15.28 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 116.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.46 years male: 51.96 years female: 50.93 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese

Ethnic divisions: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15%

Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%

Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 42.2% male: 56.2% female: 28.1%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan

Data code: BT

Type of government: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India

Capital: Thimphu

Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang

Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India)

National holiday: National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen Wangchuck became first hereditary king)

Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights note: Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the National Assembly

Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections

Executive branch: Chief of State and Head of Government (Druk Gyalpo): King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) is a hereditary monarch Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde): was nominated by the king cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) was appointed by the king

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Tshogdu): members serve for three years; seats - (150 total, 105 elected from village constituencies, 12 represent religious bodies, and 33 designated by the king to represent government and other secular interests)

Judicial branch: the Supreme Court of Appeal is the king; High Court, judges appointed by the king