While numerous online articles proclaim Bhutan as the “happiest country on earth,” this claim isn’t entirely accurate. Although Bhutan prioritizes happiness as a national goal, it’s not necessarily the happiest country globally. Let’s explore the reality of Bhutan’s happiness index and the origin of this popular myth.
A very brief history of Bhutan
Originally a protectorate of the United Kingdom, Bhutan managed to retain its independence following the partition of India, alongside fellow Himalayan Kingdoms of Nepal and Sikkim.
Sikkim, a corrupt and troubled state, saw its monarchy overthrown in the 1970s, leading to its integration into India. Nepal, too, experienced significant turmoil. The absolute monarchy faced a civil war involving Maoist rebels, ultimately resulting in the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic in 2006.
Bhutan, on the other hand, remained an isolated absolute monarchy for much of its history, only allowing television and radio in 1999. In 2005, following a royal massacre in Nepal, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced his intention to abdicate in favor of his son. This transition to a constitutional monarchy was completed in 2007 and 2008.
While this move is often praised as honorable, it’s important to consider the broader context. The rise of Maoist insurgencies in both Nepal and Bhutan, as well as the global trend towards democratization, likely played a role in the king’s decision.
More info about the Bhutan Communist Party.
Why do people think Bhutan is the happiest country on earth?
The myth stems from King Jigme Singye Wangchuck’s emphasis on Gross National Happiness (GNH) over Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This philosophy, prioritizing happiness over wealth, resonated with Western audiences, particularly those interested in Buddhism.
Pretty much every national newspaper ran with the idea and people were quoting left right and centre about how we should all take a leaf from the book of Bhutan. I have to admit I was also hoodwinked by this idea after meeting a United Nations (UN) worker in North Korea.
He explained to me that his job was to literally travel the world measuring people’s happiness, something the UN had even been allowed to do in the famously closed Soviet Union. I foolhardily said to him “Did you know Bhutan are one of the happiest countries on Earth. In fact they even measure Gross Domestic Happiness”? He politely explained that whilst they might measure it, they were not in any way, shape, or form one of the happiest countries on earth.
Is Bhutan the happiest country on earth?
So, we have established that they are not, but where exactly do they fit into the overall happiness league table? In 2021, for the fourth year in a row it was northern European countries that topped the pile, with Finland being top and Denmark coming second.
Afghanistan unsurprisingly ranked last in 2021, and Yemen is likely a strong contender for the bottom spot in 2022. Rounding out the bottom five were Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Botswana, and Lesotho. While Rwanda’s low ranking might seem surprising given its current economic situation, it’s more understandable in the context of the recent genocide.
Interestingly, the UK plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, adding another layer of complexity to the country’s situation.
Where does Bhutan fit into this global happiness ranking? In 2021, Bhutan was excluded due to a technicality but received an honorable mention for its focus on GNH. However, in 2019 (pre-COVID), Bhutan ranked 95th happiest, below communist Vietnam and civil war-torn Cameroon.
While this may seem to diminish Bhutan’s reputation, it’s simply a factual observation.
The reality is the people in Bhutan have the same cravings and fears as those in other developing countries and despite their Disneyfication, are not happy Buddhist caricatures wearing their pretty clothing and praying all day. I had a friend who spent some time living in the country and he explained that as soon as the sun set on a Friday, people would rip off their traditional clothes to put on their best clobber and go dancing. Nothing unusual about that, but much like the reality in Tibet, not the image the West wants to see. It is funny how we see certain countries prescribing what people wear as oppressive, but as “cute” when a Buddhist country does it.
Therefore much like other countries we visit such as North Korea, Syria, or even Nauru there are many more layers to what makes Bhutan Bhutan and it is very different from the western portrayal of the country.
Is Bhutan the happiest country on earth? No it is not. In fact, it is the 95th happiest country in the world.
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