Bhutan’s Global Accelerator Roadmap Towards Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions

Bhutan

High-Level Commitment: Confirmed on 12 December 2024  

Roadmap Validation: Validated at the Multi-Stakeholder Forum – Towards Inclusive Social Protection in Bhutan held on 3–4 March 2025.  

Roadmap Development, Governance and Coordination: The Office of the Resident Coordinator led the development of the Bhutan National Roadmap, in close collaboration with the Royal Government of Bhutan. UN agencies including UNICEF, UNDP, and UNFPA, as well as key international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank made key contributions to the roadmap. The Ministry of Finance and the Office of Cabinet Affairs and Strategic Coordination (OCASC) reviews the first draft which was validated through a national multi-stakeholder forum held in Thimphu on 3–4 March 2025, co-convened by OCASC and the Asian Development Bank.

The Office of Cabinet Affairs and Strategic Coordination (OCASC) is responsible for ensuring cohesive and strategic implementation of the roadmap and is leading the Global Accelerator in Bhutan. OCASC will work in close collaboration with line ministries and the Ministry of Finance, building on existing frameworks and resources to drive forward and scale up the roadmap’s priorities effectively. 

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Roadmap Priorities

Bhutan’s Roadmap identifies seven priority areas for acceleration, aligned with the three pillars of the Global Accelerator:

Targeted Social Protection Enhancements

  1. Establish an Integrated Social Protection Management Information System to link civil registration, citizen identification, social service management information and other social protection services across the life cycle.
  2. Develop and implement a multi-tiered disability support scheme, closing a major gap in providing cash support to persons with disabilities.

Economic Transformation and Decent Jobs

  1. Advance a 21st century skills  to prepare youth for a modern, diversified economy.
  2. Promote youth entrepreneurship through financial ecosystem reforms and capacity-building initiatives.
  3. Transform agriculture by increasing productivity, enhancing value chains, and integrating youth into rural innovation.

Systemic Impact and Just Transition

  1. Ensure urban–rural inclusivity through digitalization, infrastructure investment, and targeted service delivery.
  2. Strengthen public service delivery and institutional capacity, with a focus on digital governance and performance-based reforms.

Key Target Groups

  • Youth
  • Women
  • Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
  • Rural Communities
  • Informal Workers and Small Entrepreneurs
  • Elderly and Retired Populations 

National Policies and Programmes to be Supported by the Global Accelerator

The Global Accelerator in Bhutan is closely aligned with the country’s overarching development agenda, particularly the 13th Five Year Plan (2024–2029), which serves as the primary framework for accelerating decent jobs and social protection. Key strategies supported include:

  1. 13th Five Year Plan (2024–2029) – Prioritize inclusive economic growth, decent employment, and expanded social protection, in Bhutan’s central development strategy.
  2. Bhutan’s 21st Century Economic Roadmap – A long-term vision for structural transformation, innovation, and private sector growth.
  3. National Social Protection Frameworks (2024–2025) – A suite of strategic documents developed with UN and IFI support to strengthen inclusive, lifecycle-based protection systems.
  4. “Diamond Strategy” for Public Sector Reform – A national effort to professionalize the civil service, enhance digital governance, and strengthen institutional delivery capacity. 

The expected impact of the Global Accelerator in Bhutan is closely aligned with the country’s 13th Five Year Plan, which prioritizes inclusive economic growth, job creation, and universal social protection. Through coordinated policy and financing support, the Accelerator will contribute to building a shock-responsive, inclusive, and comprehensive social protection system, expand decent work opportunities, and strengthen institutional capacity to ensure a just and equitable transition for all. 

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Expected Outcomes and Impact

Operationaliza a shock-responsive and inclusive social protection system, with a national Social Protection Management Information System functional by 2030 to ensure coordinated, data-driven service delivery. By 2028, at least 80 per cent of persons with disabilities will receive targeted cash support, increasing to full coverage by 2030. Introducing lifecycle-based and digitally enabled benefits will enhance coverage, adequacy, and administrative efficiency across the system. 

By 2029, Bhutan will equip at least 50 per cent of its workforce with higher education or vocational skills, laying the foundation for a future-ready labour force. The roadmap targets the creation of 10,000 new Bhutanese-owned businesses by 2030, supported through entrepreneurship development and improved access to finance. In the agricultural sector, productivity is expected to double, fostering economic diversification and rural employment. 

Reducing disparities between urban and rural populations in access to jobs and social protection through improved geographic equity and digital service delivery. Public institutions will demonstrate stronger performance, with measurable improvements in the quality, efficiency, and accountability of public services. Enhanced digital governance will be reflected in improved rankings in international indices.  

Through enhanced domestic resource mobilization, including progressive tax reforms and improved performance of state-owned enterprises, the fiscal space will be increased. Strengthened partnerships with key development actors will enable mobilizing targeted international investments and technical assistance.