This report presents a concise, evidence- based review of Bhutan’s progress on SDG 3, Good Health and Well-being, for the period of 2015 to 2025. The report synthesises a comprehensive desk review of over 55 sources of reports and documents, a youth survey on SDG 3 in Bhutan and key informant interviews to map progress, achievements, highlighting challenges, and provide actionable recommendations to accelerate progress to 2030.
Bhutan demonstrates a strong commitment to SDG 3, which has been further supported by the country’s political will, a people-centred health system and policies that reflect the country’s Gross National Happiness ethos. Overall, most of the SDG 3 indicators show improvement: maternal and child mortality rates have fallen, routine immunisation coverage remains high, and most of the priority communicable diseases are being effectively controlled. However, there has been a growing case of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), surging mental health cases and high suicide incidence still persist. Additionally, health workforce shortages, geographic inequities in service access, out-of-pocket costs for indirect services, limited disability inclusive infrastructure and gaps in emergency preparedness, notably for marginalised groups, undermine equity.
