Implementing Gross National Happiness in Bhutan as a Development Model and GovernanceTool – Perspectives of Policy Influencers

Abstract

Bhutan’s development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) prioritises the collective wellbeing of its people over economic growth through a multidimensional index that informs policy. While GNH has received global recognition, persistent challenges in conceptual clarity and practical implementation are argued and debated. This qualitative study examines the role and utility of GNH as a development model and its implementation as a multifaceted governance tool in Bhutan. The findings reveal that GNH is conceptualised in diverse ways, ranging from personal happiness to a more generic communal philosophy. While its strengths lie in its culturally grounded framework, key limitations include a lack of shared understanding, overuse in marketing, and tensions with economic growth. As a governance tool, its implementation is challenged by inconsistent political commitment, limited resources, and reliance on informal cultural practices, rather than official policy instruments. The study concludes that for GNH to mature into an effective and replicable alternative development paradigm, Bhutan must address these implementation gaps through legislative formalisation, simplified public communication, and strategies that reconcile its wellbeing objectives with economic imperatives.