July 15, 2025
THIMPHU – Fewer crimes are happening in Bhutan, but those that do are more severe, according to the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP)’s Statistical Yearbook 2024 report.
Figures show that the RBP recorded 2,476 criminal incidents, 1,492 incidents of substance abuse, 1,118 cases of motor vehicle accidents, 352 non-criminal incidents, and 139 fire incidents last year.
In 2024, the RBP recorded 2,476 criminal incidents, marking the lowest figure in the past five years and a 5.3 percent decline from 2,614 incidents in 2023.
This downward trend, which began after a peak of 3,502 incidents in 2022, is primarily attributed to a change in recording practices for substance abuse cases, only those proceeding to court are now included in overall crime statistics, as initial instances often lead to counselling and rehabilitation.
However, a deeper analysis using the Crime Severity Index (CSI) paints a more concerning trend.
The CSI, which accounts for both the volume and relative seriousness of offences, indicates a rising seriousness of crimes despite the lower overall numbers.
After dipping to 82 in 2021 (with 2020 as the base year at 100), the CSI surged to 99 in 2022 and peaked at 121 in 2023, before a slight improvement to 106 in 2024.
Despite this recent dip, the overall seriousness of crimes remains 6 percent higher than 2020 levels.
This shows that fewer crimes are being committed, but those that do occur are increasingly severe, prompting the RBP to focus on enhanced crime prevention, rapid response, and specialised investigations to address emerging threats to public safety.
Dzongkhag-wise, Sarpang recorded the highest crime rate at 52 incidents per 10,000 population, followed by Chhukha and Thimphu, both at 48. In terms of crime severity, Chhukha (154 CSI) and Paro (151 CSI) registered the highest scores, indicating the most serious offences in these areas.
Last year, the most common criminal incidents included larceny with 255 cases, battery 912 cases, 248 cases of illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, 201 cases of burglary, and 95 cases of deceptive practices.
Arrest data for 2024 revealed that substance-related offences, combining substance abuse, illicit trafficking, and substance abuse by minors, accounted for over 57 percent with 3,018 recorded arrests.
Battery was the second-highest arrest category with 1,279 cases, highlighting a significant prevalence of interpersonal violence.
In total, 5,743 individuals were arrested, comprising 5,640 Bhutanese (5,226 male, 414 female) and 103 non-Bhutanese (101 male, 2 female).
Beyond criminal incidents, the report also detailed 352 non-criminal incidents, with unnatural deaths accounting for 180 cases (51.14 percent) and missing persons for 129 cases (36.65 percent). Suicides involved 105 individuals, and 136 persons were reported missing.
Fire incidents totaled 139 in 2024, with house fires (74 incidents) being the most common, often caused by electric short circuits (28 incidents) and unattended cooking (13 incidents). Forest fires accounted for 32 incidents and bush fires for 19.
Motor vehicle accidents resulted in 1,118 incidents in 2024, with single-vehicle accidents being the most frequent (536 or 47.94 percent), followed by two-vehicle collisions (398). These accidents tragically led to 97 deaths, with Chhukha reporting the highest number of fatalities at 18.