Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a development philosophy that prioritizes the overall well-being and happiness of citizens over purely economic growth. GNH was first introduced in Bhutan in the early 1970s by the fourth king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and has since become an important concept in development discourse.
The GNH philosophy is based on the belief that economic growth alone cannot guarantee happiness and well-being. Instead, GNH focuses on four pillars of well-being: sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, environmental conservation, preservation and promotion of culture, and good governance.
These four pillars are further broken down into nine domains that provide the framework for measuring GNH: psychological well-being, health, education, time use, cultural diversity and resilience, good governance, community vitality, ecological diversity and resilience, and living standards.
GNH has gained international attention and has been used as a guiding principle for development in several countries. The United Nations has also recognized the importance of GNH and passed resolutions encouraging member states to consider happiness and well-being as important indicators of progress and development.
In conclusion, GNH is a development philosophy that prioritizes the overall well-being and happiness of citizens over purely economic growth. The four pillars of well-being and the nine domains provide a framework for measuring GNH and guiding development policies. GNH has gained international recognition and has the potential to create a more sustainable and equitable world.