Climate change is increasingly contributing to the depopulation of rural Bhutan with many villages witnessing a steady decline in residents as environmental pressures make traditional livelihoods more difficult to sustain, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter and the Royal University of Bhutan.
The study found that climate related challenges including rising temperatures unpredictable rainfall patterns and an increase in natural disasters, are making farming and rural livelihoods increasingly uncertain. As a result many people are leaving their homes in search of better opportunities in urban centres or overseas.
Researchers reported that out of Bhutan 205 administrative regions, 138 have experienced population decline. Migration is occurring primarily from the country’s rural eastern districts to the more economically developed western regions. Climate change is acting as a “background stressor” that intensifies existing economic and social difficulties, making life in rural communities less sustainable.
Bhutan widely recognised as the world’s first carbon negative country contributes very little to global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, it remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The country is already experiencing rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and the retreat of glaciers, all of which are affecting agriculture and water resources.
One of the most significant consequences of rural migration is a growing labour shortage in the agricultural sector. Younger generations are leaving villages for education, employment and improved living conditions, leaving behind an ageing population. Researchers noted that this trend is weakening traditional farming systems, reducing food production and disrupting long-established community support networks.
The study also highlighted the rise in international migration. Increasing numbers of Bhutanese citizens are moving abroad, particularly to countries such as Australia, in pursuit of education and employment opportunities. This trend has raised concerns about a potential “brain drain” as skilled and educated individuals leave the country.
Climate-related risks are adding further pressure. Bhutan’s mountainous terrain makes it vulnerable to floods and landslides, while erratic rainfall, pest infestations and changing weather conditions are damaging crops and increasing uncertainty for farmers.
Researchers noted that the Bhutanese government has recognised these challenges and is implementing measures to strengthen resilience. Efforts include investments in clean energy, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development initiatives. Authorities are also focusing on creating economic opportunities in rural areas to ensure migration remains a choice rather than a necessity.
The study recommends policies that diversify rural economies and strengthen climate adaptation measures. Providing farmers with improved technology, better irrigation systems and alternative sources of income could help reduce migration pressures and support the long-term sustainability of rural communities.
The findings were published in the annual journal of Bhutan’s Royal Thimphu College and offer new insight into how climate change is reshaping demographic patterns in one of the world’s most environmentally conscious nations.