Bhutanese believe in GNH (Gross National Happiness) instead of GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
GDP (gross domestic product) is a monetary measure of the market value of all the final goods and services produced in a period of time, often annually. GDP may not always reflect differences in the cost of living and the inflation rates of the countries. As of 2019, United States of America (USA) tops in GDP followed by India on 5th rank.
GDP is an essential factor affecting the countries, but can we imagine a country which neither calculates its GDP nor believes in it? This is really strange, right?
Bhutan, a Buddhist country located in South Asia sharing borders with India and China is popular for its culture, fortresses, mountain ranges, temples and historical remains. This country doesn’t believe in GDP. They have their own unit of measuring the country’s growth, which is GNH (gross national happiness). This is going on since 1972.
This has inspired a modern political happiness movement and in 2011 the UN General Assembly placed “happiness” on the global development agenda, adopting it unanimously.
Gross National Happiness is a philosophy that guides the government of Bhutan. It includes an index which is used to measure the collective happiness and well-being of a population.
The GNH is calculated on the basis of nine domains. The domains are:
- Psychological wellbeing
- Health
- Education
- Time use
- Cultural diversity and resilience
- Good governance
- Community vitality
- Ecological diversity and resilience
- Living standards
Once, Bhutan was referred as the happiest country in the world as per this factor. Though, it acquires 97th position in World Happiness Report as of 2019.
