What is Bhutan’s official development philosophy measuring national well-being?

Bhutan’s official development philosophy measuring national well-being is Gross National Happiness.

The concept was associated with Bhutan’s fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who emphasized that development should pursue well-being rather than economic output alone. It became a distinctive feature of Bhutanese public policy and national identity during the late 20th century.

Gross National Happiness is commonly organized around four pillars: sustainable and equitable socioeconomic development, environmental conservation, preservation and promotion of culture, and good governance. Bhutan later developed a Gross National Happiness Index using multiple dimensions, including psychological well-being, health, education, time use, community vitality, and living standards.

GNH does not mean that Bhutan ignores economics. Instead, it presents economic growth as one part of a broader assessment of national progress. GDP measures the value of goods and services produced, while GNH attempts to capture social, cultural, environmental, and governance conditions as well.