Which happiness index was introduced by Bhutan?

Which happiness index was introduced by Bhutan?

• A. World Happiness Index
• B. Gross National Happiness Index
• C. Happy Planet Index
• D. Wellbeing Index

Answer: (B)

Bhutan’s approach to development centers on happiness as the measure of a nation’s progress, not just economic output. This philosophy gave rise to the Gross National Happiness Index, introduced by Bhutan in the 1970s. It evaluates well-being across four pillars—sustainable development, preservation and promotion of culture, conservation of the environment, and good governance—and covers nine domains such as psychological well-being, health, education, time use, cultural diversity, living standards, community vitality, ecological resilience, and governance. Because Bhutan created and popularized this specific index to track happiness as a form of development, it’s the correct reference for the question. Other indices like the World Happiness Index or the Happy Planet Index originate outside Bhutan and use different methods, so they aren’t the ones introduced by Bhutan.

Bhutan’s approach to development centers on happiness as the measure of a nation’s progress, not just economic output. This philosophy gave rise to the Gross National Happiness Index, introduced by Bhutan in the 1970s. It evaluates well-being across four pillars—sustainable development, preservation and promotion of culture, conservation of the environment, and good governance—and covers nine domains such as psychological well-being, health, education, time use, cultural diversity, living standards, community vitality, ecological resilience, and governance. Because Bhutan created and popularized this specific index to track happiness as a form of development, it’s the correct reference for the question. Other indices like the World Happiness Index or the Happy Planet Index originate outside Bhutan and use different methods, so they aren’t the ones introduced by Bhutan.