Bhutanese Ngultrum
དངུལ་ཀྲམ
Currency Code
BTN
ISO 064
Symbol
BTN
Native: Nu.
Decimal Digits
2
Rounding: 0
Countries
BT
Using this currency
Currency Units
Major Unit
Name: ngultrum
Symbol: Nu.
Minor Unit
Name: chetrum
Symbol: Ch.
Value: 0.01
Banknotes
Frequently Used
Nu.1Nu.5Nu.10Nu.20Nu.50Nu.100Nu.500Nu.1000
Coins
Frequently Used
Ch.25Ch.50Nu.1
Rarely Used
Ch.5Ch.10Ch.20
Plural Forms
English Plural
Bhutanese ngultrums
Native Plural
དངུལ་ཀྲམ
Overview
The Bhutanese Ngultrum is the currency of Bhutan, pegged to the Indian rupee. The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan manages monetary policy while Indian rupees also circulate freely in the country.
Economy
- Bhutan is a member of SAARC, BIMSTEC, Non-Aligned Movement.
- Main industries include: Cement, Wood products, Processed fruits, Alcoholic beverages, Calcium carbide, Tourism, Hydroelectric power.
- Bhutan is part of the World Trade Organization.
- Imports are fuel, grain, aircraft, machinery, vehicles, fabrics, rice.
- Major exports include electricity, ferrosilicon, cement, calcium carbide, copper wire, manganese, vegetable oil.
- GDP: $2.9 billion (2023 est.).
- GDP per capita: $3,684 (2023 est.).
- Unemployment rate: 2.4% (2019 est.).
- Inflation rate: 4.2% (2023 est.).
- Main trading partners: India, Bangladesh, Italy, Hong Kong, Nepal.
- Trade agreements: India-Bhutan Trade Agreement, SAARC preferential trading.
History
- Previous currencies used: Indian rupee, Bhutanese rupee.
- The ngultrum was introduced in 1974, replacing the rupee at par. It was established to assert Bhutan's monetary sovereignty while maintaining close economic ties with India.
- 1974: BTN introduced, pegged to Indian rupee
- 1982: Royal Monetary Authority established
- 1986: First ngultrum coins issued
- 2000: New banknote series with improved security
- 2013: New polymer banknotes introduced
- Exchange rate peg: INR (1974-present) at 1:1 parity.
- Currently pegged to INR at 1 BTN = 1 INR.
General Information
- ISO 4217 Code: BTN
- Symbols: BTN/Nu.
- Currency Subunits: 100 chetrum
- Central Bank: Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
- Monetary Policy: Currency board maintaining INR peg. Focus on supporting gross national happiness and sustainable development goals.
- Bills: 1 Nu, 5 Nu, 10 Nu, 20 Nu, 50 Nu, 100 Nu, 500 Nu, 1000 Nu
- Coins: 25 chetrum, 50 chetrum, 1 ngultrum, 5 ngultrum, 10 ngultrum
- USD Exchange Rate: Variable (follows INR rate, approximately 83 BTN per USD)
- Pegged To: INR at 1 BTN = 1 INR
- Capital: Thimphu
- Population: 787,941 (2023 est.)
- Area: 38,394 km²
- Languages: Dzongkha (official), Sharchopkha, Lhotshamkha, Nepali
- Time Zones: UTC+6 (Bhutan Time)
- Government Type: Constitutional monarchy
- Head of Government: King (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government)
- Independence: 1907 (never colonized)
- Ethnic Groups: Ngalop 50%, Ethnic Nepalese 35%, Indigenous tribes 15%
- Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
- Literacy Rate: 71.4% (2018 est.)
- Transport: Paro Airport, mountain roads, no railways, limited infrastructure due to terrain
- Communications: Growing telecommunications, 48% internet penetration, mobile network expansion
- Energy: Hydroelectric 100% (major exporter to India)
- Countries Using This Currency: Bhutan
- Data Sources: Central Bank: Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (rma.org.bt), Economic Data: National Statistics Bureau Bhutan, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Department of Revenue and Customs, Demographic Data: National Statistics Bureau Bhutan, Geographic Data: National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology, Historical Data: Royal Monetary Authority archives
- Last Updated: 2025