Population: Estimates vary widely: 1,598,216 in July 1991 but possibly only 700,000. Two percent annual growth rate. Fortyfive percent under age fifteen in late 1980s. Ninety-seven percent in rural areas low population density--thirty-one persons per square kilometer for total area, higher average for habitable land.

Ethnic Groups: Officially 72 percent of Bhutanese of Tibetan (Ngalop), Indo-Mongoloid (Sharchop), and aboriginal (Drokpa, Lepcha, and Doya) origin 28 percent, Nepalese origin. Nepalese may constitute as much as 40 percent.

Language: Dzongkha official national language using chhokey (Tibetan script) used for written expression Ngalopkha (on which Dzongkha is based) spoken in west Sharchopkha in east Nepali in south English widely understood throughout school system and, with Dzongkha, an official language.

Religion: 70 percent Mahayana Buddhists (predominantly Drupka subsect), 25 percent Hindus, 5 percent Muslims. Indeterminate but small number of Bon adherents.

Education: Non-compulsory, free eleven-year education (primary--grades one through five lower-secondary--grades six through eight upper-secondary schools--grades nine through eleven). Primary level attended by about 23 percent of school-age population lower-secondary and uper-secondary schools attended by around 8 percent and 3 percent, respectively. In 1991 one junior college and two technical schools. Entire system supervised by Department of Education. Literacy rate 12 percent in late 1980s.

Health: In early 1980s, life expectancy 45.9 for women and men. Infant mortality rate 137 per 1,000 in 1990. Health-care system in late 1980s included twenty-nine general hospitals, fortysix dispensaries, and sixty-seven basic-health units, four indigenous dispensaries, and fifteen malaria education centers with total capacity 915 beds. Severe shortage of health-care personnel: 134 physicians and 541 paramedics in 1988. Gastrointestinal infections most common illness.

Data as of September 1991