When comparing countries’ success, the most common way is to look at their economy and use GDP, Gross Domestic Product, as the leading indicator to evaluate it. But what if economics is not the best way to measure the well-being of a country? This is the story of a country that took a different approach and started its metric, Gross National Happiness (GNH), as the main indicator of improvement in the constitution.
The philosophy behind Gross National Happiness is rooted in Bhutanese Buddhist culture, which values spiritual and mental well-being above material wealth. This revolutionary concept, introduced in the 1970s by Bhutan's fourth Dragon King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, shifts the focus from economic output to the holistic well-being of its citizens. GNH is based on four pillars: sustainable development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the natural environment, and good governance. Each pillar is composed of subjective (survey-based) and objective indicators
The implementation of GNH has led Bhutan to adopt policies that sometimes counter conventional economic wisdom but aim to preserve its cultural heritage and environment. For instance, Bhutan has strict limits on tourist numbers to avoid the environmental degradation and cultural dilution that often comes with mass tourism. Additionally, Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world that is carbon neutral and carbon negative, meaning it absorbs more carbon dioxide than it emits, a direct result of its commitment to preserving its extensive forests.
Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness index is a fascinating example of how national policies can reflect cultural values and priorities distinctly different from global norms. It challenges the international community to rethink development and progress, making the case for a balance between material and non-material well-being in pursuing a fulfilling life.
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