The term “Gross National Happiness” was first coined by the 4th King of Bhutan, the concept has a much longer resonance in the Kingdom of Bhutan. The 1729 legal code, which dates from the unification of Bhutan, declared “if the Government cannot create happiness for its people, there is no purpose for the Government to exist.” In 1979, the 4th King declared Gross National Happiness to be more important than GNP, and from this time onward, the country oriented its national policy and development plans towards Gross National Happiness. The Constitution of Bhutan (2008, Article 9) State that “to promote those conditions that will enable the pursuit of Gross National Happiness”. Gross National Happiness is holistic needs of the human individual – both physical and mental well-being. It reasons that while material development measures contribute, undeniably, to enhancing physical well-being, the state of mind which is perhaps, more important than the body, is not conditioned by material circumstances alone. Therefore, GNH is comprises with four pillars:

1. Equitable and Sustainable Development
2. Preservation of Culture
3. Conservation of Environment
4. Good Governance

1.      Sustainable and equitable Socio Economic Development

A flourishing Gross National Happiness must have value social and economic contributions of households and families, free time and leisure given the roles of these factors in Happiness and not only the contribution of business.  The value of happiness must distribute equally in the economy.

2.      Preservation and promotion of Culture

Evolving cultural resilience, which can be understood as the culture’s capacity to maintain and develop cultural identity, knowledge and practices, and able to overcome challenges and difficulties from other norms and ideals, which contributes to the happiness of the Bhutanese.

3.      Conservation of Environment

Environmental conservation is considered a key input to Gross National Happiness because it provide additional services such as water and energy. Environmental conservation is one of the priorities for the day of government to conserve our pristine environment. Moreover, it is mentioned in our constitution Article 5 where we have to maintain 60% of Bhutan’s total land under forest cover for all time.

 4.      Good Governance

Good Governance is one pillar of Gross National Happiness. The policies and programs that are developed in Bhutan are generally inline with the values of GNH, there is also a number of tools and processes employed to ensure the values are indeed embedded in social policy.