The Bhutanese Constitution of 2008 and previous law provide for freedom of religion in Bhutan; however, the government has limited non-Buddhist missionary activity, barring non-Buddhist missionaries from entering the country, limiting construction of non-Buddhist religious buildings, and restricting the celebration of some non-Buddhist religious festivals.
Overview
Drukpa Kagyu (Mahayana) Buddhism is the state religion, although in the southern areas many citizens openly practice Hinduism. Since the year 2015 Hinduism is also considered as the national religion of country.
Societal and governmental pressure for conformity with Buddhist norms is prevalent.
In 2022 Freedom House rated Bhutan’s religious freedom as 2 out of 4, noting that the constitution protects freedom of religion, but local authorities are known to harass non-Buddhists and people have experienced pressure to participate in Buddhist ceremonies and practices.
In the same year, the country was ranked as the 40th worst place in the world to be a Christian.
Religious demography
The official religion in Bhutan is Buddhism, which is practiced by between 73-85% of the population; the rest of the population is mainly Hindu.
Approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of the population practice Drukpa Kagyu or Nyingma Buddhism, both of which are disciplines of Mahayana Buddhism. Approximately one-quarter of the population are ethnic Nepalese and practice Hinduism. They live mainly in the south and follow the Shaivite, Vaishnavite, Shakta, Ganapatya, Puranic, and Vedic schools. Christians both Roman Catholic and Protestant and nonreligious groups comprised less than one percent of the population. Bön, the country's animist and shamanistic belief system, revolves around the worship of nature and predates Buddhism. Very few citizens adhere exclusively to this religious group.
In 2021, the population was estimated at 857,000. According to a 2012 report by the Pew Research Center, approximately 75% of the population follows Buddhism and 23% are Hindu. Hindus reside mostly in southern areas adjacent to India. The 2020 report by the World Christian Database estimated that Buddhists comprised 83% of the population and Hindus 11% in 2019.
The 2012 Pew Research Center report estimates of the size of the Christian community ranges from 0.5% to 3.6% of the total population. The Open Doors report covering 2021 estimates the Christian population at 30,000 (approximately 3.5 percent). Most Christians reside in urban areas in the south of the country
Legal framework
The most authoritative law regarding religious freedom in Bhutan is its Constitution. Other ancillary acts of Bhutanese legislation provide the substantive and procedural framework to ensure religious freedom and regulate religious bodies. Religious freedom in Bhutan is shaped by the evolving laws and policies of the Bhutanese government regarding discrimination, organizations, national security and social order, and family law. Although Bhutan’s National Assembly had banned open practice of non-Buddhist and non-Hindu religions by passing resolutions in 1969 and in 1979, the current legal framework on its face unequivocally provides religious freedom for all.
Constitution
The Constitution of 2008 affirms the Drukpa Kagyu sect as the state religion, though it designates the King of Bhutan as the protector of all religions in Bhutan. Under Bhutan's current constitutional framework, freedom of religion is guaranteed; however, the Constitution places limits on political activity by religious figures and on proselytism.
Under the Constitution, religious institutions and personalities have a duty "to promote the spiritual heritage of the country while also ensuring that religion remains separate from politics" and that religious institutions and personalities remain "above politics," which is construed to disqualify registered monks from voting as well as running for office. The Constitution further prohibits political parties or activities based on religion.