Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a holistic and sustainable approach to development, which balances material and non-material values with the conviction that humans want to live in harmony with each other and with nature. Originating in Bhutan in the early 1970s, it was introduced by the then King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who believed that the happiness and well-being of the population should be the ultimate goal of governance, rather than merely the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This philosophy represents a shift from the traditional economic growth model to a more comprehensive development framework, considering factors such as psychological well-being, health, education, and the health of the natural environment.
The core of GNH is its four pillars, which include sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, preservation and promotion of cultural values, conservation of the environment, and good governance. These pillars are designed to ensure that economic growth does not come at the expense of the population's well-being or the environment. Each pillar has equal weight in policy considerations, aiming to integrate economic and non-economic aspects of well-being into a balanced developmental strategy. Bhutan's commitment to these principles has influenced various aspects of its governance and policies, making it a unique example of a country that formally integrates happiness into its national agenda.
The measurement of GNH is detailed and complex, involving nine domains that provide a holistic look at the well-being of its citizens. These domains include psychological well-being, health, education, time use, cultural diversity and resilience, good governance, community vitality, ecological diversity and resilience, and living standards. Each domain is composed of subjective and objective indicators that are surveyed regularly. Notably, the GNH survey results are used to guide government policies and allocate resources in a way that promotes not just economic prosperity but overall human happiness.
Internationally, GNH has sparked global interest and inspired discussions on how nations can create sustainable happiness. The concept has influenced leaders and policymakers worldwide, leading to the establishment of the UN World Happiness Report and the International Day of Happiness, which seeks to prioritize happiness as a universal goal. While GNH is not without its critics, who argue about its practicality and the difficulty of measuring intangible aspects of well-being, it continues to serve as a pioneering benchmark for how societies might envision development beyond economic outputs, injecting ethical and philosophical considerations into the global dialogue on development.