Gross Happiness Index (GHI)

sfg-2026
ForumIAS LATEST
  1. 22 May |The Last e-Meet before Prelims 2026 Click Here to register
  2. 17 May | ABC of Indian Sociology Series | 'H' = HAROLD COULD | Sociology Optional Simplified Click Here
  3. 15 May | If You Are Giving Prelims 2026, Watch This Before Entering the Exam Hall Click Here to listen to Ayush Sir's advice →

Gross National Happiness is a term coined by His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck in the 1970s. 

Gross national happiness (GNH) measures economic and moral progress as an alternative to gross domestic product measurement in Bhutan. 

The concept implies that sustainable development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress and give equal importance to non-economic aspects of well being. 

The Gross National Happiness Index is a single number index developed from 33 indicators categorized under nine domains including psychological well-being, standard of living, good governance, health, community vitality, cultural diversity, time use, and ecological resilience. 

The GNH Index is constructed based upon a robust multidimensional methodology known as the Alkire-Foster method. 

In 2012, for the first time World Happiness Report was released by United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network based on Gross Happiness Index at global level. 

Print Friendly and PDF
Blog
Academy
Community