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Now read the text below and explore Bhutan’s understanding of a happy nation.
4 lessons from Bhutan on the pursuit of happiness above GDP
Antonia Gawel
Deputy Head, Centre for Nature & Climate Member of the Executive Committee
World Economic Forum
1 Waking to the sound of monks chanting prayers and drumming their gongs during countless traditional pujas, a ceremony of honour, worship and devotion; running up the steep Himalayan mountain slopes under colourful prayer flags hung between trees in the breathtaking landscape; looking out at the expanse of forests and mountains that surround its capital city, Thimphu. These are the memories that remain imprinted in my mind after two years living in Bhutan – the Himalayan Kingdom best known for its concept of “Gross National Happiness” (GNH). But, what is GNH and are the people of Bhutan really the happiest in the world?
2 GNH, as a development philosophy in Bhutan, dates back as far as 1972, when the fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, announced that Bhutan would pursue “happiness” in its path towards development, rather than measuring progress merely through growth in Gross Domestic Product* (GDP). Revered in Bhutan for his many progressive actions as king, this forward-looking leader recognized that GDP did not take into account the ultimate goal of every human being: happiness.
What does the pursuit of happiness really mean?
3 John Lennon sums up the concept, and the tensions behind it, beautifully. He wrote: “When I was five
The prime minister, Tshering Tobgay, shares his country’s ambitions to be not just carbon-neutral but carbon-negative in this recent talk. Beyond these measures, Bhutan is also home to a diverse ecosystem, ranked among the top 10 countries in the world with the highest species density and recognized as a biodiversity hot-spot. It also has the highest proportion of land in protected areas, with five national parks, four wildlife sanctuaries, and a nature reserve, covering an area of 16,396.4 km squared (42.7% of the country).
7 Preservation and promotion of culture: Tucked between the powerful giants of China to its north, and India to the south, the fact that this tiny country remains on the map is in itself an amazing feat. Its high mountain passes and deep valleys have helped to guard the country, but have also created isolated communities which have evolved their own culture, identity and languages. Bhutan has over two dozen languages throughout the country. While celebrating this diversity with the many local tsechus, or regional festivals organized on an annual basis at a national level, the government strives to maintain a “national identity” by requiring officials to wear traditional dress to the workplace and speak Dzongkha as the national language. The emphasis on tradition and celebration of a unique culture is part of daily life.
8 Sustainable and equitable socio-economic development: The Gross National Happiness Commission has an explicit role of ensuring that all policies in the country pass a “GNH stress test” such that a balanced approach to economic development is pursued. The GNH Commission screens all government bills before they are submitted to the Cabinet using a GNH screening tool, made up of 26 variables that reflect the four core GNH principles. Based on this assessment, specific recommendations for adjustment to the policies are made.
9 Bhutan’s GNH approach and concrete actions have certainly raised its profile on the international stage – frequently referred to as the "last Shangri-La", and inspiring work at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with their Better Life Index, and even leading dialogues at the UN General Assembly on how to create a holistic sustainable development roadmap through the pursuit of happiness. But, the most important question still remains – as a result of these measures, are the people of Bhutan the happiest in the world?
10 For me, this is a challenging question to answer – I met many enlightened and centred individuals in Bhutan, but I also met many who struggled to merely sustain their livelihoods. What stood out however as a unique attribute of the people I met in Bhutan is the importance they place on “time” – taking time for reflection, family, and rest; acknowledging the experiences of past generations; and prioritizing equity for future generations. This appreciation for time, reflection and the ability to pause is something that many Western cultures have lost, yet I believe forms an important part of what makes Bhutan’s GNH philosophy work in practice.