Major Ethnic Groups in Bhutan

1. Ngalop – Western and northern Bhutan; Dzongkha-speaking, Tibetan Buddhist
2. Sharchop – Eastern Bhutan; Tshangla-speaking, largely assimilated into Ngalop culture
3. Lhotshampa – Southern Bhutan; mostly of Nepali origin, religiously diverse

Indigenous and Tribal Ethnic Groups

4. Brokpa
5. Lepcha
6. Doya (Lhop)
7. Black Mountain Monpa
8. Monpa (Menba)

Other Ethnic Communities

9. Tibetan refugees and residents

Bhutan is a culturally diverse Himalayan kingdom whose population is made up of several ethnic groups shaped by migration, geography, and religion. Although the country promotes a strong national identity, its society is not ethnically uniform. The main ethnic groups in Bhutan include the Ngalop, Sharchop, Lhotshampa, as well as smaller indigenous and tribal communities, and a small population of Tibetans.

The Ngalop people inhabit western and northern Bhutan and are of Tibetan origin. They introduced Tibetan Buddhism and much of Bhutan’s traditional culture, including the Dzongkha language, which is now the national language. The Ngalops practice Drukpa Kagyu Buddhism and dominate Bhutan’s political and cultural institutions, including the monarchy and government.

The Sharchop, meaning “easterners,” live mainly in eastern Bhutan. Many scholars consider them among the earliest inhabitants of the region. They are ethnically mixed, with Tibetan, South Asian, and Southeast Asian ancestry, and primarily follow Nyingmapa Buddhism. Although once the largest ethnic group, the Sharchop have largely assimilated into Ngalop cultural norms over time.

The Lhotshampa, or “southern Bhutanese,” are mostly of Nepali origin and live along Bhutan’s southern border. They are religiously diverse, with Hinduism being the most common, alongside Buddhism and indigenous animist traditions. The Lhotshampa played a major role in agriculture but became the focus of political tension in the late 20th century due to citizenship laws and cultural policies, leading to the displacement of many from Bhutan.

In addition to these groups, Bhutan is home to several indigenous and tribal communities such as the Brokpa, Lepcha, Doya (Lhop), and Monpa. These groups live mainly in remote regions and maintain distinct languages, traditions, and belief systems that blend Buddhism, Hinduism, and indigenous practices.

Bhutan has also hosted a small population of Tibetans, many of whom arrived as refugees after the 1959 Tibetan uprising. While some Tibetans integrated into Bhutanese society, others were later relocated to India due to changes in government policy.

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Ethnic Groups in Bhutan: Religion and Population Estimates

Ethnic Group	Primary Religion(s)	Estimated Share of Population
Ngalop	Tibetan Buddhism (Drukpa Kagyu)	~35–40%
Sharchop	Tibetan Buddhism (mainly Nyingmapa)	~25–30%
Lhotshampa	Hinduism (majority); Buddhism; Animism (Mundhum)	~20–25%
Indigenous & Tribal Groups (combined)	Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism	~10–15%
└─ Brokpa	Tibetan Buddhism & indigenous beliefs	Included above
└─ Lepcha	Buddhism & animism	Included above
└─ Doya (Lhop)	Hinduism & indigenous beliefs	Included above
└─ Black Mountain Monpa	Tibetan Buddhism & animism	Included above
└─ Monpa (Menba)	Tibetan Buddhism (Nyingma)	Included above
Tibetans (residents/refugees)	Tibetan Buddhism	<2%

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Quick Summary

• Ngalop + Sharchop together make up roughly 60–65% of Bhutan’s population
• Lhotshampa form the largest minority group
• Tribal and indigenous peoples are small but culturally significant
• Tibetans represent a very small population today