How Gross National Happiness is rewriting success

Recently, during a sustainability training session, I posed a question to the participants about Gross National Happiness (GNH). Well, none of them were familiar with the concept. Instead, many confused it with Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while others admitted they had never heard of GNH at all. This reaction highlights a significant gap in our understanding of alternative measures of success and underscores the need for broader awareness about GNH. 

Gross National Happiness (GNH) is not a completely new idea, but it represents a profound shift from the traditional focus on economic metrics like GDP. The concept was introduced in the 1970s by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan. King Wangchuck envisioned GNH as a holistic measure that prioritizes the well-being and happiness of people, offering a counterpoint to the more narrowly focused Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which primarily measures economic output. GNH challenges the notion that economic growth alone is the ultimate indicator of a country’s success and instead emphasizes a more comprehensive approach to measuring progress. 

The framework of GNH is built upon four foundational pillars that guide its implementation. These pillars are: Sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, which aims to ensure that economic growth is both enduring and fairly distributed; Conservation of the environment, which emphasizes the importance of protecting natural resources and promoting environmental sustainability; Preservation and promotion of culture, which seeks to maintain and celebrate cultural heritage and traditions; and Good governance, which ensures that political and administrative practices are transparent, effective, and accountable. Together, these pillars provide a balanced approach to measuring and enhancing the overall well-being of a society. 

GNH advocates for a transition from an ego system—where the focus is primarily on individual gains and economic output—to an eco-system that considers the collective good of all people. This shift involves integrating social, environmental, and cultural factors into development strategies, thereby promoting a more inclusive and sustainable approach to progress. The idea is to create an environment where economic, social, and environmental aspects are harmoniously balanced to improve the quality of life for everyone. 

Research into GNH reveals that countries with high GNH scores, such as Denmark, Finland, Bhutan, and Switzerland, excel in several key areas. These nations prioritize the development of strong social networks and community cohesion, which are essential for individual well-being. They implement inclusive policies that promote social integration and ensure that all citizens have access to the resources and opportunities necessary for a high quality of life. For instance, Finland and Denmark are renowned for their comprehensive social welfare systems, which provide extensive support and foster a profound sense of belonging and security among their populations. These systems are designed to address the diverse needs of individuals, from healthcare and education to social services, thereby contributing to overall happiness. 

In contrast, African countries do not currently appear among the top rankings for GNH, indicating that there is significant room for improvement. This disparity highlights the need for a concerted effort to understand and implement the principles of GNH in our own regions. We can learn from the successful examples set by high GNH countries and adapting these principles to our own context and work towards creating a more equitable and sustainable future. Embracing the GNH framework can help guide us in developing policies and practices that genuinely reflect and enhance the well-being of our communities.  

Overall, Gross National Happiness offers a valuable alternative to conventional economic measures of success. It encourages a more holistic view of progress that goes beyond mere economic output to consider the broader dimensions of human well-being. As we strive to improve our own societies, understanding and applying the principles of GNH can lead us toward a more balanced and fulfilling measure of success that benefits everyone.