Changing Idea of the Nation in Bhutan due to Mass Outmigration

Bhutan's shift towards democracy has been hailed globally. Despite the progressive advancement, the state is facing contention of outmigration. This chapter is a contribution to identifying why outmigration in Bhutan has increased considerably over the last five years. Migration has become a topic of discussion in the Bhutanese parliament. Often pointed out are the economic factors of this push, but there is a subliminal cultural connotation that is not openly discussed. Despite the strong cultural attachment, there is outmigration, which questions the present structure of governance. The chapter also discusses the consequences it will have on the small population of the state. Mainly, it is the young and educated population that migrates due to concerns like unemployment, a low number of seats in higher education institutions, poor health infrastructure, etc. The state is unable to stop the brain drain. As the migration increases, the evident changes in society will question the concept of nation and identity in Bhutan. Hence, if Bhutan wants to continue its path of development as a modern state, it needs to balance its economic, political, and cultural spheres.