The Bhutanese government is working to open doors to investors and new industries. It wants more than its famous national happiness score. It plans to take home the work with its clean energy and special areas of the economy. But many challenges are in the future.
Bhutan faces brain drainage
According to recent data, about 13,500 Bhutanese (1.6 per cent of the country’s less than 800,000) were sent to Australia in 2023. This export shows that young talents are chasing a larger market. When new ideas and energy are needed, Bhutan has similar positions for skilled workers. Geography doesn’t help. Inland between India and China means more costly and takes longer to transport goods and construction infrastructure.
New plan for hydropower promotion
Bhutan’s main outlet is the river’s electricity. It now has 2.5 GW of hydropower and another 3 GW of construction. Cheap and clean, this power can be fueled by factories, server farms or green technology trials. These locations allow companies to test pump storage systems or hydrogen production under actual conditions, according to a report by Druk Holdings and Investments (DHI), the country’s sovereign wealth fund. Then, the fast pilots in Bhutan may be rolled out in the area.
Bitcoin mining growth
According to Fortune’s report, Bitcoin mining is one of the most unusual bets. Bhutan began mining cryptocurrencies in 2019, when Bitcoin was priced at less than $10,000. As of May 7, 2025, each coin is worth approximately $97,400. According to DHI, relying on hydroelectric power to make the mining low-carbon increase the fund’s $3 billion portfolio. But encryption prices are difficult. A big drop can eliminate profits. Still, DHI calls Bitcoin “digital gold” and says it’s part of a hybrid approach.
Image: Canva
Gelephu Mindfulness City
According to the plan documents, the Gelephu mindful city will cover about 2,500 square kilometers near the Indian border. This particular area aims to connect Bhutan with South and Southeast Asia, providing space for health clinics, technology startups and green energy companies. It is called the place where work and well-being meet. Roads, digital lines and homes all need to be built from scratch. This will require cash and many years before the hotel or office is filled.
Bhutan’s GNH index rose from 0.743 in 2010 to 0.781 in 2022. In the same span, GDP per person grew from $2,435 to $3,711, although it dropped sharply in 2020 during the pandemic. Tourism is still recovering: 145,000 visitors last year came from 315,599 in 2019, a “high value, low impact” model that restricts the protection of mountain roads and forests.
DHI sees Singapore’s Temasek as an example of governance. Temasek manages approximately US$300 billion and owns well-known stakes such as Singapore Airlines. By comparison, DHI holds stakes in 24 Bhutanese companies, including Bhutan Telecom and Bhutan Bank. Executives say size is not the key. It is important to move quickly, stay slim and turn green energy into growth.
Bhutan’s plan is bold. It combines traditional values with lenses of technology and finance. If young people see real work at home, some may stay. If the pilot program is successful, then small scales may grow. However, any mistakes in hydropower, cryptocurrencies or urban buildings may extend to Bhutan’s limited resources. Currently, investors and citizens will pay close attention.
Featured images from Unsplash, charts for TradingView
Editing process For Bitcoin experts, focus on thorough research, accurate and impartial content. We adhere to strict procurement standards and each page is diligently evaluated by our top technical experts and experienced editorial team. This process ensures the integrity, relevance and value of our content to our readers.
