Empowering Bhutan’s Youth and Women: Strategies for Inclusive Workforce Participation

The report by Tshering Choki and Alvin Etang explores the systemic barriers faced by Bhutanese youth and women in accessing employment, highlighting challenges in education, gender disparities, climate impacts, and migration. It calls for inclusive policies, targeted skill development, and workplace support to foster equitable and sustainable economic growth in Bhutan.

The report, authored by Tshering Choki of the Athang Training Academy and Alvin Etang from the World Bank's Poverty and Equity Global Practice, investigates the multifaceted challenges faced by Bhutanese youth, particularly women, in accessing employment opportunities. Part of the Bhutan Poverty and Equity Assessment project, the study uses qualitative research conducted in urban and rural areas such as Thimphu, Chukha, and Dagana to understand the societal norms, institutional barriers, and market dynamics affecting employment. Using a conceptual framework derived from the World Development Report 2012, the research finds that youth unemployment, particularly for women, is a pressing issue in Bhutan, exacerbated by restrictive social norms, inadequate access to resources, and systemic gaps in education and skills training. Women face additional constraints such as workplace discrimination, lack of childcare support, and deeply ingrained gendered expectations, which not only limit their economic independence but also leave them vulnerable to domestic violence and social marginalization.

Gender Gaps in Education and Employment Opportunities

The Bhutanese education system emerges as a key barrier to youth employment. While schools have recently begun incorporating entrepreneurial education, earlier generations missed out on such training, leaving them unprepared for the evolving demands of the job market. Gender disparities in education, particularly in STEM fields, further restrict women’s opportunities. Societal biases and stereotypes discourage women from pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, fields traditionally dominated by men. For students with disabilities, the challenges are even greater; unequal access to education and insufficient inclusive infrastructure often exclude them from both higher education and the job market. Despite policies promoting inclusivity, systemic gaps remain, perpetuating a cycle of inequality that disproportionately affects women and disabled students. These educational shortcomings highlight the urgent need for reforms that address both gender and disability-based inequities in Bhutan’s education system.

The Hidden Costs of Climate Change on Rural Women

Climate change has a profound impact on women, particularly in rural Bhutan. Women often bear the brunt of climate-induced challenges such as water scarcity, natural disasters, and increased exposure to vector-borne diseases. These pressures add to their already significant unpaid workloads, leaving them little time or energy to engage in income-generating activities. Rural women are also more vulnerable to the effects of environmental degradation, such as reduced agricultural productivity, which limits their economic opportunities. The study highlights that rural women perform 71% of unpaid household and care work, making them particularly susceptible to climate-related disruptions. To mitigate these impacts, the report emphasizes the need for gender-sensitive climate policies that empower women, enhance their decision-making abilities, and reduce the disproportionate burdens they face in a changing environment.

Migration and Economic Consequences

One of the most striking findings is the significant out-migration of Bhutan’s working-age population, particularly youth, to countries like Australia. Around 70% of registered job seekers actively pursue overseas employment, driven by limited domestic opportunities and policy uncertainties. This “brain drain” poses a serious threat to Bhutan’s long-term economic stability, depleting its talent pool and reducing the returns on investments in education and healthcare. The study underscores the economic repercussions of this trend, including a shrinking labor force, reduced tax revenues, and underutilization of infrastructure. Migration also affects housing markets, with declining rents and empty apartments in urban areas like Thimphu signaling deeper economic vulnerabilities. If unchecked, the loss of skilled and educated individuals could severely undermine Bhutan’s growth prospects, making it imperative for policymakers to address the root causes of this exodus.

Policy Reforms and Future Directions

The report highlights several government initiatives aimed at addressing youth and female unemployment, including the Youth Engagement and Livelihood Program, the Overseas Employment Program, and the Build Bhutan Project. While these programs have shown promise, their short durations and limited scalability often hinder their impact. The study recommends integrating vocational training into mainstream education, with a focus on skill-building for emerging industries like information technology. Flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options and parental leave policies, are also proposed to help women balance caregiving responsibilities and career aspirations. Additionally, the report advocates for workplace childcare support and legal representation for women facing discrimination, as well as behavioral interventions like mentorship programs to boost youth confidence and employment readiness.

Ultimately, the study emphasizes the need for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to address Bhutan’s employment challenges. By fostering an inclusive education system, promoting gender equity in the workplace, and addressing the socio-economic impacts of migration and climate change, Bhutan can build a more equitable and sustainable labor market. The report calls for collaboration between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and international organizations to implement effective policies that empower women and youth. These measures are critical to achieving Bhutan’s long-term developmental goals, ensuring that all citizens have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress.