The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Although the overall unemployment rate dropped to 3.6 percent in 2025, youth unemployment remains high at 17.1 percent. With more graduates to enter the job market this year, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment (MoICE) has laid out steps to create jobs and support young people transitioning from school to work.
MoICE has implemented the Youth Employment and Livelihood Program, a job placement program offering paid internships of one to twelve months, with monthly allowances of up to Nu 9,000 depending on qualifications.
Through the Overseas Employment Program, the ministry is helping young people find international jobs to gain skills, improve their income, and prepare for future entrepreneurship.
The National Reintegration Program supports workers returning from abroad with economic aid, career counseling, and services to help them settle back in.
MoICE has also rolled out the Employment Responsibility System (ERS), which brings together different government agencies to promote, prepare, and place job seekers.
Employment Service Centres have been set up in six regions to offer job matching and referrals.
To help job seekers and employers make informed decisions, the ministry releases regular labour market bulletins, job seeker guides, and holds employer forums.
In addition, career guidance efforts such as GOWA, bootcamps, toolkits, and school outreach programs aim to help young people plan their careers.
To encourage entrepreneurship, the government is providing funding, training, and incubation support for youth-led startups and promoting an entrepreneurial mindset.
According to the ministry, these programs are focused on building long-term employment opportunities and preparing Bhutanese youth for a changing labour market.
