Why Bhutan, The Happiest Country In The World, Is In Danger

Happiness has been the focus of fairytales and movies for as long as one might remember. The concept is one that philosophers have dedicated their lives to understanding, and is something that every person seeks. If you haven't heard about it, you'll be surprised to know that the small and unique country of Bhutan in the Himalayas even has its own Happiness Ministry where happy citizens are more important than the country's economical growth. Instead of looking for how to make more money, Bhutan seeks regular feedback from its citizens and policies are changed based on their perceived happiness and well-being. That's why the fourth king of Bhutan claimed that the Gross National Happiness (GNH) index has more weight on the country's success than its Gross Domestic product (GDP).

Despite never claiming the number one spot on the World Happiness Report, which last ranked Bhutan 95 out of 156 countries in 2019, Bhutan is known to some as the "Kingdom of Happiness" or the "happiest country in the world." But the country's future is in danger, as many of its residents are leaving. Why would anyone want to leave the happiest country in the world? It's primarily due to limited economic opportunities and young people who are eager to live a modern lifestyle.

Gross National Happiness (GNH) is measured by well-being through cultural preservations, environmental conservation, and sustainable development. Instead of measuring happiness based on money or material wealth, the GNH prioritizes spiritual and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, despite Bhutan's reputation for happiness, there are limited economic opportunities. As the country is 85% forest, its job market is heavily dependant on hydropower and agriculture which leaves its young population with few employment opportunities. This leads people to consider leaving to get a higher education or find better paying jobs in a wider range of fields.

Because of Bhutan's strict commitment to preserving its culture, the country heavily encourages citizens — and even tourists — to wear traditional attire. Historically, the nation has been reluctant to introduce any foreign influence. Even television and Internet were banned until 1999, nearly 70 years after TV had been popularized in the U.S., and a decade after the Internet became available. Access to information beyond the small country's borders is likely one of the factors influencing young Bhutanese people to leave.

With a steadily growing tourism sector, Bhutan may be able to use its rich culture to create jobs. The cost of visiting is high, with a mandatory $100 tourism fee per day, but many see the value in exploring such a unique destination. Visitors also require a guide for the duration of their trip, and  which puts money back into the economy and is an opportunity young, proud, and happy Bhutanese citizens may choose to take up to teach foreigners about their country and culture.