gross national happiness

Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a philosophy that prioritizes the well-being and happiness of a population over purely economic growth. It originated in Bhutan in the 1970s when King Jigme Singye Wangchuck famously said, “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product.”

GNH considers multiple dimensions of well-being. The Bhutanese model includes nine domains:
1. Psychological well-being
2. Health
3. Education
4. Time use
5. Cultural diversity and resilience
6. Good governance
7. Community vitality
8. Ecological diversity and resilience
9. Living standards

Unlike GDP, which only measures economic output, GNH seeks to balance material and spiritual development.

According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, Finland ranks as the happiest country in the world for the seventh consecutive year.

The rankings are based on factors such as:
• Social support
• Income
• Healthy life expectancy
• Freedom to make life choices
• Generosity
• Perceptions of corruption

So, what can we learn from the happiest country in the world?

1. Social safety nets ensure basic needs are met
2. Shorter work hours and generous parental leave policies mean family is prioritized
3. Universal access to quality services helps work towards equity
4. In both Bhutan and Nordic countries, nature is central to daily life and mental health

As my friend Mark says, GDP is about DOING while GNH is about BEING. Gross National Happiness reminds us that progress isn’t just about wealth, it’s about focusing on ways to live sustainably, build community, work towards equity and freedom, and prioritizing well-being.

Countries like Bhutan and Finland show that when governments prioritize people’s well-being, happiness becomes a realistic and achievable national goal.

~Kate