Bhutan recorded 846 tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2025, a decrease of 74 cases from 2024. According to the Annual Health Bulletin 2026, people aged 15 to 34 accounted for more than half of the cases, with young adults continuing to be affected the most.
People aged 15 to 24 recorded the highest number of cases, with 260 in 2025, down from 290 in 2024. Females accounted for 154 cases in this age group, compared with 106 among males.
The 25 to 34 age group recorded the second-highest number, with 200 cases in 2025, compared with 245 the previous year. In this age group, males accounted for close to 120 cases, while females accounted for a little over 80.
Together, people aged 15 to 34 accounted for 460 cases, more than half of the national total.
Meanwhile, TB cases among older adults aged 65 and above increased slightly, from 91 in 2024 to 95 in 2025. Of the cases recorded in this age group last year, 61 were males and 34 were females.
Cases among children aged five to 14 also increased, from 18 in 2024 to 25 in 2025. Two cases were recorded among children under five, bringing the total number of TB cases among children below 15 to 27.
Overall, males accounted for more than 440 of the cases recorded in 2025, while females accounted for a little over 400.
New cases of pulmonary TB, which affects the lungs and is confirmed through laboratory tests, fell from nearly 500 in 2024 to close to 465 in 2025. Cases of extrapulmonary TB, which affects other parts of the body, also declined by 18 cases during the same period.
Relapse cases decreased slightly, from 55 in 2024 to 52 in 2025.
To improve access to diagnosis and treatment, the Ministry of Health, through the National TB Control Programme, continues to provide free TB diagnosis and treatment across the country, including in remote communities.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Phub Gyem
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