Bhutan Sees Decline in Crime Rates but Increase in Offence Severity

THIMPHU, Bhutan — According to the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), crime rates in Bhutan have witnessed a notable decline in recent years, with a recorded 2,476 criminal incidents in 2024, marking a 5.3 percent decrease from 2,614 incidents in 2023. This figure represents the lowest number of recorded crimes in the past five years, down from a peak of 3,502 in 2022. However, despite this reduction in overall crime, the severity of offences has risen significantly, as indicated by the Crime Severity Index (CSI), which measures both the volume and seriousness of crimes committed.

The RBP’s Statistical Yearbook 2024, published on July 15, 2025, highlights that while the number of crimes has decreased, the CSI surged from 82 in 2021 to a peak of 121 in 2023, before slightly improving to 106 in 2024. This suggests that although fewer crimes are occurring, the nature of these crimes is becoming increasingly serious, with the CSI remaining 6 percent higher than the 2020 baseline.

Sherab Lhamo, a reporter for Kuensel, reported that the most common criminal incidents in 2024 included larceny (255 cases), battery (912 cases), illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (248 cases), burglary (201 cases), and deceptive practices (95 cases). Notably, substance-related offences made up over 57 percent of all arrests, with 3,018 documented cases.

According to Dr. Tashi Dorji, a criminal justice expert at the Royal University of Bhutan, the shift in the recording practices of substance abuse cases—where only cases proceeding to court are included in overall statistics—may have contributed to the decline in reported incidents. “While it is encouraging to see a reduction in crime numbers, we must remain cautious about the increasing severity of the crimes that are still occurring,” he noted in an interview on July 16, 2025.

The report also revealed concerning trends in non-criminal incidents, including 180 unnatural deaths and 129 missing persons cases, with suicides involving 105 individuals. Fire incidents totaled 139 in 2024, with house fires being the most prevalent, often attributed to electrical short circuits and unattended cooking.

Furthermore, motor vehicle accidents accounted for 1,118 incidents, resulting in 97 fatalities, with Chhukha recording the highest death toll. The RBP has acknowledged the need for enhanced crime prevention strategies and rapid response protocols to tackle the emerging threats to public safety.

The geographical distribution of crime rates highlighted that Sarpang recorded the highest crime rate at 52 incidents per 10,000 population, followed closely by Chhukha and Thimphu, both at 48 incidents per 10,000. However, in terms of crime severity, Chhukha (154 CSI) and Paro (151 CSI) exhibited the highest scores, indicating a concentration of more serious offences in these districts.

In light of these findings, the RBP aims to further refine their strategies focusing on specialized investigations and community engagement to mitigate the risks associated with severe crimes. As the country navigates these complex challenges, ongoing analysis and collaboration with various stakeholders will be essential to maintain public safety and well-being.

The ongoing efforts to address both crime reduction and the increasing severity of offences will be pivotal in shaping Bhutan's response to its evolving security landscape.