The gross national happiness index is a single number index developed from the 33 indicators categorised under nine domains. Bhutan is one of the smallest countries in the world. In bhutan, gross national happiness more important march 18, 2018 file the former administrative centre of punakha dzong, one of bhutans largest. Any discussion of the gnh in bhutan must begin from. This guiding policy of bhutan adheres to the notion that gross national happiness is more important than gross national product. On the more traditional economic measures, bhutan has also enjoyed success.
Gross national happiness also known by the acronym. In bhutan, gross national happiness is what counts the. Gross national happiness of bhutan anne muller, tashi wangchuk, anne muller. Gross national happiness, or gnh, is a holistic and sustainable approach to development, which balances material and nonmaterial values with the conviction that humans want to search for happiness. Since the foundation of bhutan, spirituality and compassion have been integrated with governance.
May 09, 2016 gross national happiness commission, royal government of bhutan. Bhutans constitution, which went into effect in 2008 with the transition to democracy, directs the kingdoms leaders to consult the four pillars of gross national happiness good. This book explores the practices of governance in bhutan and how they shape the implementation of the countrys gross national happiness gnh development strategy. Jun 23, 2017 on the more traditional economic measures, bhutan has also enjoyed success. Sustainable and equitable socioeconomic development. Gross national happiness gnh the fourth druk gyalpo, jigme sinye wangchuk at the age of 18, coined the term gross national happiness gnh in 1972. The remainder of this report presents the findings of the 2015 gross national happiness gnh survey, which collected information from across bhutan on many aspects of bhutanese peoples lives that relate to wellbeing measurement and analysis. The fourth druk gyalpo emphasized that for bhutan gross national happiness, is more important than gross national product. The environment is central to bhutans gross national happiness index. This is the national portal of bhutan, developed with an objective to enable a single window access to information and services being provided by the various governmental entities in bhutan. The tiny kingdom of bhutan, tucked away in the himalayas between china and india, is known for its innovative gross national happiness index, a measurement tool used to incentivize policies that. In a couple of blog posts, i want to outline the methodology, the 2015 survey findings, and the actual use of gnh as a policy tool. Apr 08, 2015 the himalayan kingdom is best known for its innovative policy of gross national happiness.
This is the national portal of bhutan, developed with an objective to enable a single window access to information and services being provided by the various governmental entities. Ive already written about the concept of gross national happiness gnh a lot. Jan 17, 2017 bhutans constitution, which went into effect in 2008 with the transition to democracy, directs the kingdoms leaders to consult the four pillars of gross national happiness good. Part of the creative education book series book series crea. The government of bhutan has been a constitutional monarchy since 18 july 2008. In bhutan, happiness index as gauge for social ills the new.
This book explores the history, culture, challenges, and opportunities of schooling in bhutan. It explains the origins of the concept of gnh, its grounding in bhutanese culture and history, and describes how the concept is being operationalized in the form of the gnh index in some novel and innovative ways. Dasho karma ura, president, the centre for bhutan studies and gnh. The centre for bhutan studies constructed the gnh index using robust multidimensional methodology known as alkirefoster method. Introduction this guide introduces the 2010 gross national happiness gnh index of bhutan. The united nations development programme undp is the uns global development network, helping people build better. Mar 18, 2018 in bhutan, gross national happiness more important march 18, 2018 file the former administrative centre of punakha dzong, one of bhutan s largest buildings, is seen in punakha, bhutan, march. Bhutans tourism mantra is high value, low impact and its aim is simple. Pdf where did bhutans gross national happiness come from. Jun 01, 2018 gross national happiness is a philosophy that guides the bhutanese government. Education in bhutan culture, schooling, and gross national.
Bhutan needed a smaller government there were,889 civil servants and he was thinking of. The book describes how democratic political institutions and markets. The survey was used to construct the 2015 gnh index, and to compare levels and the composition of. Think tanks dissected it, and governments grappling with improving. The experience of gross national happiness as development.
The author examines whether bhutan s innovative gnh governance framework successfully navigates competing power dynamics and generates the intended human development outcomes of gross national happiness. Asian development bank adb or its board of governors or the governments they. As the gnh research of the centre for bhutan studies is designed to inform action, the first chapter also. The himalayan kingdom is best known for its innovative policy of gross national happiness. The kings statement gross national happiness is more impor. Its gdp has grown each year since 1992 and its gross national income per capita is now at a record high in real terms. What happens when a country strives for happiness at any. The gnh index is a holistic approach, measured by bhutaneses sense of being wellgoverned, their relationship with the environment, satisfaction with the pace of economic development, a sense of cultural and national belonging.
As mandated in its constitution, bhutan preserves at all times 60 percent of. Gross national happiness is instituted as the goal of the government of bhutan in the constitution of bhutan, enacted on 18 july 2008. In an exclusive interview, tshering tobgay says his country is open for business but not at the expense of its gross national happiness principles tue 22 apr 2014 07. Gross national happiness tourism council of bhutan. But its commitment to conservation is bigger than most. The author examines whether bhutans innovative gnh governance framework successfully navigates competing power dynamics and generates the intended human development outcomes of. Gross national happiness is a philosophy that guides the government of bhutan. We call this development philosophy the gross national happiness. The gnh centre bhutan welcomed a sixteenmember high level delegation from the government of thailand led by mr. As a kingdom with a strong buddhist tradition, mindfulness and mental wellness are actively sought after and celebrated.
What this means for foreign tourists is you will have to pay a minimum. As mandated in its constitution, bhutan preserves at all times 60 percent of its land under forest cover. It explains the origins of the concept of gnh, its grounding in bhutanese culture and history, and describes how the concept is being operationalized in the form of the gnh index in some novel. The objective of gnh is to achieve a balanced development in. It includes an index which is used to measure the collective happiness and wellbeing of a population.
How is gross national happiness measured in bhutan. Bhutan, known for its gross national happiness index, comes. Thus, gross national happiness is now being fleshed out by a wide range of professionals, scholars and agencies across the world. In bhutan, gross national happiness is what counts. Bhutans gross national happiness masks problems, says new prime minister, 2 august 20, the daily telegraph. Gross national happiness commission, royal government of bhutan. The gnh index is a holistic approach, measured by bhutaneses sense of being wellgoverned, their relationship with the environment, satisfaction with the pace of economic development. Gross national happiness is a concept created from the kingdom of bhutan. Mar 14, 2016 gross national happiness gnh is more important than gross national product. Bhutans principles have been set in policy through the gross national happiness index, based on equitable social development, cultural preservation, conservation of the environment and promotion. Happiness is such an important concept to bhutan and the bhutanese people that the government measures its success by gross national happiness gnh rather than by gross domestic product. While conventional development models stressed on economic growth as the ultimate. But attending the international gnh conference in paro, bhutan, i have improved my understanding of what gnh really means. Its gdp has grown each year since 1992 and its gross national income per capita is.
It is my sincere hope that the contents of these pages will satisfactorily meet the needs of all categories of data users, be it policymakers, researchers, analysts, students and members of the public. Danai moosa, deputy secretary general, national security council, prime minister office, thailand. One of the key areas of interest expressed by the delegation was to visit the centre and learn more about gnh. Dec 01, 2012 bhutan s representatives at the doha climate talks are warning that its gross national happiness model could crumble in the face of increasing environmental and social pressures and climatic change. Bhutan measures prosperity by taking into consideration the citizens happiness levels and not the gross domestic product. Gross national happiness bhutan toursbhutan pelyab tours. Institutions in bhutan use the gnh index and a series of instruments of policy.
This guide introduces the 2010 gross national happiness gnh index of bhutan. What is bhutans gross national happiness index and how was it achieved. It discusses topics including historical perspectives on. The remainder of this report presents the findings of the 2015 gross national happiness gnh survey, which collected information from across bhutan on many aspects of bhutanese people s lives that relate to wellbeing measurement and analysis. Gross national happiness gnh is a comprehensive approach to development, which values collective happiness as the goal of governance through balancing material and nonmaterial values and it is used in place of gross national product gdp. Taking the middle path to happiness, about the modernizationbymoderation gross national happiness project in this himalayan kingdom turning constitutional democracy, the last land ruled under a tantric buddhist ethos, this bookoriginally in hardcover 2008, but slightly revised for the better.
Gross national happiness gnh is more important than gross national product. The government strategy for educating for gnh will be expounded and, in. The executive power is exercised by the lhengye zhungtshog, or council of ministers, headed by the prime minister. He emphasized the need to build an economy that would reflect and serve bhutans unique culture, which is based on buddhist values. In creating the gross national happiness index, bhutan sought to create a. Economists all over the world have argued that the key to happiness is obtaining andenjoying. The state shall strive to promote those conditions that will enable the pursuit of gross national happiness.
Politics of gross national happiness governance and. The birthplace of gross national happiness is growing a bit. When bhutans king jigme singye wangchuck first started talking about gross national happiness. Bhutan is a country in the himalayas with a relatively new education system and a unique governmental philosophy known as gross national happiness.
Gnh and gnh index karma ura, sabina alkire, tshoki zangmo i. Only 32% of those without formal schooling claimed deep happiness compared with 60% of. The central monastic body and the centre for bhutan studies and gnh are delighted to present the compilation of selected papers presented at the. At the unfccc 15 th session of conference of parties cop15 in copenhagen in december 2009, this was declared through the declaration of the kingdom of bhutan the land of gross national happiness to save our planet. Bhutans representatives at the doha climate talks are warning that its gross national happiness model could crumble in the face of increasing environmental and. The survey was used to construct the 2015 gnh index, and to compare levels and the composition. Bhutan government is committed to remain carbon neutral. Gross national happiness in bhutanese education how is it. Wangchuck of bhutan developed the term gross national hapiness gnh as an alternative approach to. The nsb data portal is a direct outcome of their devotion. In comparison, there were dozens of pre1996 articles, books and. A sector filled with unhappy and stressed employees who cut down trees for a living could receive less government funding than a sector that promotes adequate time off for daily prayers and is engaged in preservation.
Taking the middle path to happiness, about the modernizationbymoderation gross national happiness project in this himalayan kingdom turning constitutional democracy, the last land ruled under a tantric buddhist ethos, this book originally in hardcover 2008, but slightly revised for the better. Nov 15, 2015 ive already written about the concept of gross national happiness gnh a lot. Kent schroeder this book explores the practices of governance in bhutan and how they shape the implementation of the countrys gross national happiness gnh development strategy. Its a perfect example of the countrys guiding policy of gross national happiness. Gnh is a philosophy that guides the government of bhutan. Buddhist psychology and philosophy, which inspired the buddhist king of bhutan to conceive of gross national happiness, can offer a lot to the required shift in economic thinking. He put through a proposition that gross national product gnp was an insufficient measurement of the success of a country. The term gross national happiness was coined in 1979 during an interview by a british journalist for the financial times at bombay airport when the then king of bhutan, jigme singye. By employing gross national happiness as its leading economic indicator, bhutans public policy will inevitably follow suit. Conservation of the environment is one of the four pillars of bhutans gross national happiness philosophy. Modern origins of happiness and wellbeing economi cs in public policy.
Gnh in bhutanese government rhetoric to broader social, economic. The true story of a small kingdom, bordered by india and tibet, prioritizing the health and happiness of its loyal citizens. This builds on the government of bhutans pioneering work to develop the gnh index. Gross national happiness over the years, bhutan has cultivated a unique approach to development with its national philosophy anchored on the principal of gross national happinessgnh which was promulgated as the countrys philosophy of economic and social development by our forth king in 1972. The gross national happiness commission essentially the government s planning 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. Bhutanese government in creating tools to operationalize. The term gross national happiness gnh was coined in 1972 by fourth king his majesty jigme singye wangchuck, who assumed the throne at the age of seventeen.
This is the national portal of bhutan, developed with an objective to enable a single window access to. Gross national happiness is a philosophy that guides the bhutanese government. Dr wangchuk continues his work in bhutan for the government and. Over the course of his reign, he opened bhutan to the age of modernization. Gnh principles that affect the way bhutanese society and state interact. After ascending the throne as bhutans fourth king in 1972, jigme singye wangchuck advanced the concept of gross national happiness gnh and placed it above gross domestic product gdp as the ultimate measure of wellbeing for the bhutanese, arguing that health, education, and justice were necessary for a nation to develop.