A National achievement

The credible Bhutan Living and Standards Survey (BLSS) 2017 confirms what we as Bhutanese already know and feel, the increasing prosperity of our nation and the well being of our people.

Two important figures stand out with the reduction of poverty from 12 percent in 2012 to 8.2 percent in 2017 and unemployment coming down from 2.7 percent in 2012 to now 2 percent in 2017.

To be clear poverty was as high as 31.7% in 2003 to 23.2% in 2007.

The figures on the health, education and other sectors are also encouraging.

The current government deserves a lot of credit for restoring economic stability after the 2012-13 economic crisis and taking a host of measures that have strengthened the fundamentals of the economy.

The various job schemes both inside and outside the country also seem to have made a major dent on the unemployment figures though youth unemployment (15 to 24 yrs) remains an enduring concern.

However, above all, this increasing and continued prosperity is in large part due to the strong and stable political, economic and social foundations laid by our Monarchs all the way from 1907.

A lot of reform, modernization and development was started by our Monarchs , who also saw through the process. When they felt the nation was strong and stable enough, we entered a democratic era.

As Bhutan celebrates its 110th National Day it is a time to celebrate and come together in thanking our Monarchs and also to reflect on how we can further strengthen the Tsa-Wa-Sum.

Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong.
James Bryce

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