Bhutan PM leans on Singapore to grow his country's economy

Tshering Tobgay has written a new book about Bhutan's transition from monarchy to democracy

- Clement Yong

Bhutan's reputation is of being the happiest country in the world, but when asked for his priorities as Prime Minister, Mr Tshering Tobgay does not hesitate to say: "Economic growth."

With a gross domestic product of US$2.84 billion (S$3.79 billion) in 2019, Bhutan ranks among the poorest in the world, comparable with "least developed" states such as Lesotho and Timor-Leste.

While it has earned its cachet rejecting material metrics - harassed by a journalist for Bhutan's GDP, fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck famously retorted "for Bhutan, gross national happiness is more important than gross national product" — Mr Tobgay understands Bhutan now ignores wealth to its citizens' detriment.

The PM tells The Straits Times over Zoom on March 10 that the South Asian country of 700,000, having done well in terms of social progress, is a victim of its own success. "Within a generation, life expectancy has increased from 40 to over 70 years, and youth literacy has increased from 16 per cent to almost 99 per cent.

"Our youth are educated in a global language, in English. They can get jobs anywhere in the world, and many of them are in Australia. We cannot compete with the wages they earn there, even those from doing menial work. This is an existential crisis for Bhutan."

The 59-year-old is speaking to promote his new book, Enlightened Leadership: Inside Bhutan's Inspiring Transition From Monarchy To Democracy. In it, he serves as tour guide to the still enigmatic country, briefing readers on its recent history, particularly its voluntary transition from monarchy to a model of democratic constitutional monarchy.