𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞

…𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔

By Tashi Tshewang and Yeshi Dolma

Amid a steep rise in outward migration, Bhutan is witnessing early signs that its growing diaspora, particularly in Australia, could become a significant contributor to national development. As increasing numbers of youth and professionals leave in search of better prospects, remittances have reached record levels, highlighting the potential for a more coordinated approach that transforms brain drain into a source of national strength.

According to the World Bank’s Bhutan Development Update (Spring 2025 edition), the number of monthly departures from Bhutan rose sharply from fewer than 500 before the COVID-19 pandemic to over 5,000 by early 2023. Using data from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the report notes that Bhutanese migrants in Australia more than doubled from 12,424 in 2020 to 25,363 in 2024.

This increase is attributed to both domestic and international factors. Australia provides comparatively easier visa access, more affordable higher education, and employment opportunities for student dependents. Meanwhile, Bhutan continues to face limited career advancement, low private sector growth, and modest salaries. These issues are especially concerning given the high youth unemployment rate, particularly among women and university graduates.
The report indicates that 64 percent of Bhutanese seeking to migrate cite education as their primary reason, with income differences also playing a significant role. Most domestic workers earn below Nu. 40,000 (USD 468) per month, while many Bhutanese in Australia now earn over Nu. 60,000 (USD 702), with some reaching beyond Nu. 100,000 (USD 1,170), placing them among the top one percent of Bhutan’s income earners.

Migration is notably high among the educated and skilled. Over half of Bhutanese migrants hold university degrees, compared to just 7 percent of the general working-age population. Nearly 49 percent of migrants are civil servants, with the education and health sectors most affected. In 2024 alone, around 70 percent of all voluntary civil service resignations came from these two sectors.

“This is a classic case of brain drain,” said Cecile Fruman, Acting Country Director for the World Bank in Bhutan. “What is worrisome is that it is the most skilled and future-ready individuals who are leaving. To retain them, Bhutan must create not just well-paying jobs, but jobs that are engaging and motivating. And the private sector is key to this.”
The long-term effects include a weakened public workforce, a loss of institutional knowledge, and slower progress toward development targets. Nonetheless, experts and officials argue that migration, though inevitable, can be better utilized to benefit national growth if managed strategically.

“Migration cannot be stopped, but it can be strategically managed,” said the head of the postgraduate programme at Gedu College of Business Studies. “We need to improve career opportunities here at home, while also maximizing the benefits of Bhutanese abroad.”

One of the clearest indicators of potential lies in remittance inflows. According to the World Bank, Bhutan received USD 143 million in personal remittances in the fiscal year 2023 to 2024, a 66.2 percent increase from the previous year. Of this, 58.3 percent came from Australia, up from 37 percent the year before. Over the last decade, remittance inflows have risen by 458 percent, becoming a vital source of foreign reserves at a time when the country is facing current account deficits and low foreign direct investment.

The World Bank recommends making remittance channels more efficient and less costly. These financial flows not only support individual families but also contribute to Bhutan’s overall economic stability, presenting a compelling case for greater engagement with the diaspora.

Beyond financial contributions, many Bhutanese abroad already assist by sponsoring students, donating resources, or investing in local ventures. However, experts note that such efforts need to be scaled and organized through a national diaspora strategy that aligns with Bhutan’s development goals.

“There is a growing network of Bhutanese talent overseas,” said an official from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment. “We need to tap into that, whether it is through investments, skills sharing, or building Bhutan’s global brand.”

To enable this, the World Bank has suggested offering tax incentives to attract diaspora investment in key sectors such as technology, tourism, and renewable energy. Other proposals include mentorship schemes, expert exchanges, and initiatives aimed at encouraging professionals to return and share knowledge. Cultural connections, such as festivals and community networks, can also help maintain emotional ties and increase participation.

Several international models demonstrate how targeted policies can reverse or mitigate brain drain. Romania paired economic reforms with its Repatriot initiative. Hungary retained healthcare workers by increasing wages and research investment. Estonia’s digital infrastructure brought back professionals, while Ireland and Portugal supported youth and returnee entrepreneurs through mentorship and tax benefits. Countries such as China, South Korea, and the Philippines implemented dedicated programs to attract skilled diaspora members back home.

For Bhutan, similar efforts might involve offering grants to returning professionals, creating specialized job opportunities in high-skill sectors, and forming public-private partnerships that provide more rewarding career tracks. The Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship is exploring new strategies to directly engage Bhutanese abroad and promote return migration.

As Bhutan moves through an economic transition, its growing diaspora may become a vital asset. With thoughtful policies and coordinated efforts, this global community can contribute to addressing domestic skill shortages, advancing innovation, and supporting the country’s development journey.

How Bhutan chooses to engage with its overseas citizens, now numbering more than 25,000, may shape its economic and social trajectory. Strategic diaspora engagement is not merely an option. It is becoming an imperative.