Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Bhutan instead of Marshall Islands, you would:

Health

live 6.2 years longer

In Marshall Islands, the average life expectancy is 67 years (65 years for men, 69 years for women) as of 2024. In Bhutan, that number is 73 years (72 years for men, 75 years for women) as of 2024.

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be 68.9% less likely to be obese

In Marshall Islands, 42.0% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Bhutan, that number is 13.1% of people as of 2024.

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see 22.6% less spent on your healthcare

Marshall Islands spends $874 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Bhutan spends $677 as of 2023.

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Economy

be 72.2% more likely to live below the poverty line

In Marshall Islands, 7.2% live below the poverty line as of 2019. In Bhutan, however, that number is 12.4% as of 2022.

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make 47.1% less money

Marshall Islands has a GDP per capita of $8,489 as of 2025, while in Bhutan, the GDP per capita is $4,493 as of 2025.

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Life

be 69.7% less likely to die during childbirth

In Marshall Islands, approximately 155.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Bhutan, 47.0 women do as of 2023.

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be 39.6% less likely to die during infancy

In Marshall Islands, approximately 22.7 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Bhutan, on the other hand, 13.7 children do as of 2024.

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be 32.2% less likely to be literate

In Marshall Islands, the literacy rate is 95.8% as of 2021. In Bhutan, it is 64.9% as of 2022.

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have 37.6% fewer children

In Marshall Islands, there are approximately 20.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Bhutan, there are 12.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 38.5% more likely to have internet access

In Marshall Islands, approximately 65.9% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Bhutan, about 91.3% do as of 2024.

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be 13.8% more likely to have access to drinking water

In Marshall Islands, approximately 87% of people have access to drinking water (86% in urban areas, and 94% in rural areas) as of 2024. In Bhutan, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 99% in rural areas) as of 2024.

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Expenditures

spend 24.0% less on education

Marshall Islands spends 7.7% of its total GDP on education as of 2022. Bhutan spends 5.8% of total GDP on education as of 2023.

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spend 67.0% less on healthcare

Marshall Islands spends 13.4% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2023. In Bhutan, that number is 4.4% of GDP as of 2023.

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Infrastructure

find 24.3% more home broadband

Marshall Islands has 2.4 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2022. Bhutan has 2.9 as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2019–2025), World Health Organization (2024). How we calculate this

Compare further: Marshall Islands vs. Bhutan

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Bhutan is 74.6% cheaper than Marshall Islands overall
→
Size Comparison · See true size
Marshall Islands is about 212 times smaller than Bhutan.
→
Moving from Marshall Islands to Bhutan · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
→

Bhutan: At a glance

Bhutan is a sovereign country in South Asia, with a total land area of approximately 38,394 sq km. In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs, and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned to Bhutan the areas annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which introduced major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK, in order to give him experience as head of state before the democratic transition. In early 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be "guided by" India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. Elections for seating the country's first parliament were completed in March 2008; the king ratified the country's first constitution in July 2008. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following parliamentary elections in 2013, which routed the incumbent party. The disposition of some 30,000 Bhutanese refugees - housed in two UN refugee camps in Nepal - remains unresolved.
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How big is Bhutan compared to Marshall Islands? See an in-depth size comparison.

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