Bhutan measures Gross National Happiness

In 1972 the young King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan said that Gross National Happiness was more important than Gross Domestic Product. Development, he argued, should be measured by how well people live, not just by how much they produce.

Turning a slogan into a measure

For decades GNH was a guiding philosophy. Bhutan’s 2008 constitution made it a goal of government, and the Centre for Bhutan Studies built an index based on nationwide surveys. It covers nine domains:

1. psychological wellbeing
2. health
3. time use
4. education
5. cultural diversity and resilience
6. good governance
7. community vitality
8. ecological diversity and resilience
9. living standards

“Time use” stands out: it asks whether people have enough time for sleep, family and rest, not only for work.

Global influence

In 2011 the UN General Assembly passed resolution 65/309, inviting countries to measure happiness and wellbeing. The first World Happiness Report followed in 2012, and 20 March became the International Day of Happiness.

The criticism

GNH has critics. Before democratisation, Bhutan expelled over 100,000 ethnic Nepali residents (the Lhotshampa), many of whom spent years in refugee camps. Observers have also pointed to persistent poverty, and argue that GNH has worked partly as national branding.

The idea is worth taking seriously; the image of a “happiest country on Earth” deserves more scepticism.