Poverty in Bhutan
Bhutan has currently overtakes a drastic national goal to reduce poverty. Their goal is to lower the national poverty level to 15% from 26%. This is a great feat and the fight is in everyone's hands!
Bhutan has currently overtakes a drastic national goal to reduce poverty. Their goal is to lower the national poverty level to 15% from 26%. This is a great feat and the fight is in everyone's hands!
Bhutan's Progress with Poverty
Poverty rates within Bhutan are decreasing significantly. The National Statistics Bureau (NSB) released a report stating that in 2007 the poverty rate in Bhutan was at 23.2%. This number was recorded looking at the cost of life substance over the persons per capita consumption. Since then, in 2012, the NSB reported that poverty rates are now at 12%. A significant drop in the counties poverty rate. This is wonderful news for Bhutan, but what types of problem is Bhutan having with poverty? It has to deal with agriculture. Currently, about 44% of families below the poverty line are working in agriculture. If Bhutan could find a way to provide more economical gain for those in the agricultural business then their poverty rate would drop substantially. So what is causing the problem, the answer: Inequality. According to the NSB, the top 20% of Bhutan's population, economically, consumes 6.2 times more than the poorest 20% of Bhutan's population. This gap has been consistent over past years. The solution to the poverty problems Bhutan has can be solved through taxation of the upper class. The equality of a nation is necessary for the irradiation of poverty. If there are more rich giving to the poor, than there are less of both rich and poor. |
Bhutan's Progress with Education
Looking at the literacy rate in Bhutan, according to the National Statistics Bureau (NSB) the economic status of a person in Bhutan does not affect, as much, the amount of education received. According to the NSB, Bhutan's literacy rate for poor citizens is at 52%, while it is at 65% for upper class citizens. This means that the difference in literacy between the poor and the rich is only 17%! The problem with Bhutan's literacy rate is that it is so low overall. Overall, Bhutan's literacy rate is at 63%. So, where is the problem. The answer comes in the school systems. Public education had not always existed in Bhutan, according to Shaylah O'Connor, since before the 1960s Bhutan simple taught in the monasteries. Now that the national government is focusing in on public education there is a demand for teachers. But in the mindset of those growing up in Bhutan, to become a teacher is looked down upon. The educational system is struggling with the task of finding good teachers who can propel public school. They also have problem with the cost of textbooks. Because textbooks ore expensive and hard to acquire in some areas of Bhutan, the difficulty of good education goes up. There is need for outside intervention. Bhutan needs good teachers, so they need to look towards other countries to provide them. They need the help of more educated societies to pick them up and help them get a grasp on education's importance. |
Information Provided by: http://www.nsb.gov.bt/publication/publications.php?id=1 and http://dev.cushing.org/bhutan/bhutan/education/ . Thank You.