What term describes Bhutan’s national development philosophy measuring collective well-being?

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

The concept was associated with Bhutan’s fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who emphasized that development should not be judged only by economic production. The phrase became widely known in the 1970s and was used to express a broader national goal than Gross Domestic Product.

Bhutan’s framework groups well-being into nine domains, including psychological well-being, health, education, time use, cultural diversity, good governance, community vitality, ecological diversity and living standards. The government has used surveys and a Gross National Happiness Index to assess these areas.

Gross National Happiness is not simply a claim that Bhutan is the happiest country in every international ranking. It is a policy framework developed for Bhutan, and its measurement methods differ from global happiness surveys. The approach has influenced international discussions about sustainable development and quality of life.