𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬

…𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒖𝒏𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒔, 𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒉 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔, 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒔

By Yeshi Dolma

As youth unemployment continues to rise globally, Bhutan is wrestling with its own version of a crisis that has become one of the defining challenges of the 21st century. While the country’s overall unemployment rate fell to 3.6 percent in 2024, youth unemployment remains high at 17.1 percent, highlighting the increasing need to create meaningful employment, especially for new graduates entering the job market in 2025.

This issue is not unique to Bhutan. In emerging economies, more than 1.2 billion young people are expected to join the workforce in the next decade. However, only around 420 million jobs are projected to be created, according to the World Bank. The gap is significant, and the consequences could include economic stagnation and social unrest.

Bhutan’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) is taking a multi-faceted approach to address this gap. Initiatives such as the Youth Engagement and Livelihood Program (YELP), the Overseas Employment Program, and the National Reintegration Program are designed to engage youth through internships, overseas placements, and support for returning jobseekers through training and counselling. Employment Service Centres have been established across six regions to serve as job-matching platforms that connect young people with opportunities.

At the core of the ministry’s approach is an emphasis on entrepreneurship and career guidance. Through GOWA job fairs, school-based awareness programmes, bootcamps, and tools such as the Career Compass and Career Boardgame, MoICE aims to introduce young Bhutanese to the dynamics of the job market. Support for startups is also provided through funding, incubation, and mentorship to help young innovators turn ideas into businesses.

Despite these measures, awareness and reach remain uneven. Several college students close to graduation said they were unaware of MoICE’s recent employment initiatives. One final-year student said, “After graduation, I will apply for the post of Army Officer. While going through the process, I will prepare for the RCSC exam. If both plans don’t work, then I will go abroad. No, I am neither aware of MoICE’s new employment and skills programs nor have I participated in any such training. I am in my final semester, so I haven’t faced any challenges in finding a job yet. But yes, if I am given support in terms of resources and funds, I would be interested in starting my own business as a side income.”

A student from Gedu College of Business Studies shared a similar view, combining ambition with uncertainty. “I want to stay and work in Bhutan after graduation. I am passionate about contributing to our local economy, especially in areas like tourism and marketing. I have started attending job fairs and workshops, and I think MoICE’s efforts to support youth employment are a step in the right direction. Still, I feel more awareness is needed, we don’t always know what opportunities are out there. If given training and a little financial support, I would also love to start a small local business that promotes Bhutanese products.”

Others, like Dorji Gyeltshen, a recent graduate in Information Technology, have already started exploring new opportunities. “With the Startup Bhutan Fund, I am seriously considering launching a tech solution tailored for rural farmers,” he said. “Before learning about this initiative, I had no idea such support existed. It’s encouraging to see real backing for innovation and startups in Bhutan, especially those aimed at solving practical problems in rural communities.”

Lyonpo Namgyel Dorji, Minister of MoICE, acknowledged that while Bhutan’s national employment rate of 96.4 percent is strong by international standards, the high rate of youth unemployment reveals a deeper issue. “There is a persistent mismatch,” he said, “but we are addressing it through coordinated, cross-sector programs.”

At the global level, the World Bank is calling for urgent and broad action to create jobs, especially for youth. In its latest jobs initiative, the Bank emphasized that employment is more than just a source of income—it is central to dignity, opportunity, and social stability. “Creating jobs is not just about economic growth, it’s about unlocking potential where people already live,” the Bank stated. It recommended investing in renewable energy, agribusiness, digital services, tourism, and manufacturing to support inclusive and sustainable development.

Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, stressed the role of private enterprise in this effort. “We need the private sector. We need its capital, its innovation, and its people,” he said. “Doing this the right way is what we have to do. If we do it that way, everybody wins.”

Youth activist Christina William provided a broader context. “When we think about jobs, we need to think about livable income, pension benefits, and job security. Young people want sustainable careers, ones that provide independence, pride, and dignity.”

Michelle Bachelet, Co-Chair of the World Bank Jobs Council and former President of Chile, added, “Far too many young people are entering the workforce with ambition but without opportunity. We cannot let a generation lose faith in the promise of progress. The solution lies in practical, scalable investments that deliver results, not just for individuals, but for entire communities.”

Bhutan’s labour market, like others in the developing world, is still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While employment indicators are improving, structural challenges remain, including low agricultural productivity, limited private sector capacity, and infrastructure deficits. With agriculture employing 43.5 percent of the workforce but contributing just 14.7 percent to GDP, economic diversification continues to be a key priority.

In 2023, more than 14,000 students entered Bhutan’s job market- double the number from the year before- further straining a labour force already operating close to its limit. Although female labour force participation rose significantly to 56.8 percent in 2023, many women remain in low-paying agricultural roles.

Creating sustainable and meaningful jobs for youth is not simply about reducing unemployment rates; it is essential to Bhutan’s long-term stability. As the global community confronts the challenges of a shifting workforce, Bhutan’s approach may offer insights into how targeted policies, innovation, and collaboration can support a more inclusive future of work.