Thimphu

Bhutan to Blacktown

Bhutan’s commitment to Gross National Happiness has led to significant achievements. However, the country now faces challenges that require more adaptable strategies.

By Sajad Jatoi | February 2025

Bhutan to Blacktown
Bhutan, often celebrated as the “kingdom of happiness,” has long prioritized Gross National Happiness (GNH) over Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a measure of its development. This unique approach, introduced by the 4th King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in the late 1970s, emphasizes a holistic view of progress, integrating both economic and non-economic aspects of well-being. However, recent trends suggest that the GNH framework is struggling to maintain its relevance, as a growing number of Bhutanese citizens are leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.

The GNH framework comprises nine domains: psychological well-being, health, time use and balance, education, cultural diversity and resilience, good governance, community vitality, ecological diversity and resilience, and living standards. These domains are broken down into 33 specific indicators, providing a comprehensive assessment of the Bhutanese population’s well-being. Individuals are categorized into four groups based on their GNH scores: unhappy, narrowly happy, extensively happy, and deeply happy. This system helps policymakers pinpoint areas requiring attention to improve overall happiness.

Guided by the GNH philosophy, Bhutan has made significant strides in various sectors over the past four decades. The nation has maintained an average annual GDP growth of 7.5% since the early 1980s, dropping poverty levels from 36% in 2007 to 10% in 2019. Environmentally, Bhutan is the world’s only carbon-negative country, with a forest cover exceeding 70% and a thriving hydroelectricity export industry. These accomplishments underscore Bhutan’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation.

Despite these successes, Bhutan faces substantial challenges that question the effectiveness of its GNH-centric approach. Om Dhungel, a Bhutanese refugee now residing in Australia and author of Bhutan to Blacktown: Losing Everything and Finding Australia, offers a critical perspective on the GNH concept. While he acknowledges the positive aspects, Dhungel argues that the framework doesn’t adequately reflect the government’s commitment to the happiness and human rights of all citizens.

Having once been a senior telecommunications engineer in Bhutan, Dhungel recalls his efforts to apply GNH principles when installing phone towers with minimal environmental disruption. Yet, he questions the authenticity of this approach, stating, “At the same time, now we can see its hollowness. Why would people leave a land of gross national happiness?”

Bhutan’s economy faces substantial challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought the tourism sector—once a key revenue source—to a halt. The sector has not yet recovered, and Bhutan’s status as a least developed country further complicates its economic situation, as it lacks a robust industrial base.

Youth unemployment is another growing concern. With fewer job market opportunities, many young Bhutanese are leaving the country for better prospects. The latest data shows that just over half of women are employed, down from 61.2% in 2019. Meanwhile, youth unemployment, which has steadily risen since 2004, reached 28.6% in 2022. Australia has emerged as a popular destination for Bhutanese emigrants, with 1.5% of the population relocating to the country in 2023 for work and study. This exodus has contributed to a “brain drain,” which has begun to affect public service delivery in Bhutan.

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