Why Bhutan Measures Happiness

In the 1970s the fourth King of Bhutan suggested that Gross National Happiness was more important than Gross Domestic Product. Today the idea shapes policy: every new law is screened against nine areas including psychological wellbeing, health, education, culture, good governance and ecological resilience.

For visitors it shows up in small ways — a constitution that requires 60% forest cover, free healthcare, a ban on plastic bags, and the high-value, low-volume tourism policy that keeps temples and trails uncrowded.