the 2010 gross national happiness index : part ii the centre for bhutan studies 2011
TRANSCRIPT
The 2010 Gross National Happiness Index : Part II
The Centre for Bhutan Studies2011
.
Part II: Understanding Happiness1. National happiness2. Happiness by Dzongkhag3. Happiness by region4. Happiness by gender5. Happiness by age group6. Happiness by marital status7. Happiness by educational level8. Happiness by occupational group9. People’s Stories
Part II: Understanding Happiness1. National happiness2. Happiness by Dzongkhag3. Happiness by region4. Happiness by gender5. Happiness by age group6. Happiness by marital status7. Happiness by educational level8. Happiness by occupational group9. People’s Stories
A person who has achieved sufficiency in at least 6 of the 9 domains of GNH is classified as “HAPPY”
How is happiness measured?
33 indicators: Sufficiency thresholds
Nine domains: Happiness threshold
GNH Index: 0.737
40.8% of Bhutanese are classified happy after
applying sufficiency and happy threshold.
The value for GNH Index 2010 is 0.743
.
.
Nationa
l Pov
erty
line
200
7
Multid
imen
siona
l Pov
erty
Inde
x 20
10
Gross
Nat
iona
l Hap
pine
ss In
dex 20
100%
20%
40%
60%
80%
77% 74%
41%
Proportion of people non-deprived/happy
Indicator: Consumption
per capita
Domains: Health,
Education and Living Standards
Domains: Psychological wellbeing, Health, Time use, Culture, Ecology, Community vitality, Good Governance and
Living standards
14%
12%
12%
12%11%
10%
10%
9%
9%Health
Ecological diversity and resilience
Psychological wellbeing
Community vitality
Living standards
Time use
Cultural diversity and resilience
Good Governance
Education
Domain percentage contribution to GNH indexIn which domains do happy people enjoy sufficiency?
14%
12%
12%
12%11%
10%
10%
9%
9%Health
Ecological diversity and resilience
Psychological wellbeing
Community vitality
Living standards
Time use
Cultural diversity and resilience
Good Governance
Education
Domain percentage contribution to GNH indexIn which domains do happy people enjoy sufficiency?
Observation 1:
All nine dimensions
contribute to GNH.
Happy people live relatively
balanced lives.
No dimension is
unimportant
14%
12%
12%
12%11%
10%
10%
9%
9%Health
Ecological diversity and resilience
Psychological wellbeing
Community vitality
Living standards
Time use
Cultural diversity and resilience
Good Governance
Education
Domain percentage contribution to GNH indexBiggest contributions
Observation 2:
Good Health (14%)
Community (12%)
Ecology (12%), and
Psychological well-being (12%)
Contribute the most to GNH in
2010.
14%
12%
12%
12%11%
10%
10%
9%9%
Health
Ecological di-versity and resi-lience
Psychological wellbeing
Community vital-ity
Living standards
Time use
Cultural diversity and resilience
Good Gov-ernanceEducation
Domain percentage con-tribution to GNH index
Biggest contributions
Observation 2:
Good Health (14%)
Community (12%)
Ecology (12%), and
Psychological well-being
(12%)
Contribute the most to GNH in
2010.
Disability Mental health Healthy days Self reported health status
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
89% 86%76% 74%
Percentage of people enjoying suf-ficiency in indicators of Health
• 89% of Bhutanese either do not suffer from long term disability or those who are disable ones are not restricted from doing their daily activities• 86% of Bhutanese have normal mental wellbeing• 76% of Bhutanese have sufficient number of healthy days • 74% of Bhutanese have rated their health as either “good” or “very good”
0%40%80%
89% 86% 76% 74%
Percentage of people enjoying sufficiency in Health
• 89% of Bhutanese either do not suffer from long term disability or those who are disable ones are not restricted from doing their daily activities• 86% of Bhutanese have normal mental wellbeing• 76% of Bhutanese have sufficient number of health days • 74% of Bhutanese have rated their health as either “good” or “very good”
Disability Mental health Healthy days Self reported health status
32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%
39% 39%
36%35%
Percentage of people enjoying suffi-ciency and are happy in indicators of
Health
• Of the Bhutanese who achieved sufficiency levels in disability, 39% are happy (fulfill the happiness threshold) • Of the Bhutanese who have normal mental wellbeing (86), 39% are happy• Of the Bhutanese who have achieved sufficient levels of healthy days, 36% are happy• Of the Bhutanese who have sufficiency in self reported health status , 35% are happy
14%
12%
12%
12%11%
10%
10%
9%9%
Health
Ecological di-versity and resilience
Psychological wellbeing
Community vi-tality
Living standards
Time use
Cultural di-versity and resilience
Good Gov-ernanceEducation
Domain percentage contribution to GNH index
Biggest contributions
Observation 2:
Good Health (14%)
Community (12%)
Ecology (12%), and
Psychological well-being
(12%)
Contribute the most to GNH
in 2010.
• 96% of Bhutanese have never been victims of crime• 93% of Bhutanese report good family relationship• 76% of Bhutanese report good community relationship• 46% of Bhutanese have sufficiency in donations (time & money)
Donat
ions
(tim
e & m
oney
)
Comm
unity
relatio
nship
Fam
ily
Safe
ty
0%30%60%90% 46% 63%
93% 96%
Percentage of people having suffi-ciency in indicators of Community
vitality
14%
12%
12%
12%11%
10%
10%
9%
9%
Health
Ecological diversity and resilience
Psychological wellbeing
Community vi-tality
Living standards
Time use
Cultural diversity and resili-enceGood Gov-ernanceEducation
Domain percentage contribution to GNH index
Biggest contributions
Observation 2:
Good Health (14%)
Community (12%)
Ecology (12%), and
Psychological well-being
(12%)
Contribute the most to GNH
in 2010.
• 39% of Bhutanese who report good family relationship are happy• 27% of Bhutanese who have good community relationship are happy• 21% of Bhutanese who have sufficiency in donations (time & money) are also classified happy
Donations (time & money)
Community relationship
Family Safety 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
21%27%
39% 40%
Percentage of people who are happy & have sufficiency in indicators of Com-
munity vitality
14%
12%
12%
12%11%
10%
10%
9%9%
Health
Ecological di-versity and resilience
Psychological wellbeing
Community vi-tality
Living standards
Time use
Cultural di-versity and resilience
Good Gov-ernanceEducation
Domain percentage contribution to GNH index
Biggest contributions
Observation 2:
Good Health (14%)
Community (12%)
Ecology (12%), and
Psychological well-being
(12%)
Contribute the most to GNH
in 2010.
• 83% of Bhutanese have sufficiency in life satisfaction• 65% of Bhutanese report low negative emotions•59% of Bhutanese report high positive emotions• Only 53% of Bhutanese have sufficiency in spirituality
Spiri
tual
ity
Posit
ive
emot
ions
Negat
ive
emot
ions
Life
sat
isfac
tion
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 53% 59% 65%83%
Percentage of people who have sufficiency in Psychological wellbeing indicators
• 83% of Bhutanese have sufficiency in life satisfaction• 65% of Bhutanese report low negative emotions•59% of Bhutanese report high positive emotions
•53% of Bhutanese have sufficiency in spirituality
Spiri
tual
ity
Posi
tive
emot
ions
Negat
ive
emot
ions
Life
sat
isfa
ctio
n0%
40%80%
53% 59% 65%83%
Percentage of people who have suffi-ciency in Psychological wellbeing in-
dicators
Not at all1%
Somewhat7%
Moderately40%
Very52%
How spiritual do you consider yourself to be?
Not at all2% Rarely
7%
Occasionally34%
Regularly57%
Do you consider Karma in the course of your daily life?
• 83% of Bhutanese have sufficiency in life satisfaction• 65% of Bhutanese report low negative emotions•59% of Bhutanese report high positive emotions
• 53% of Bhutanese have sufficiency in spirituality
Spiri
tual
ity
Posi
tive
emot
ions
Negat
ive
emot
ions
Life
sat
isfa
ctio
n0%
40%80%
53% 59% 65%83%
Percentage of people who have suffi-ciency in Psychological wellbeing in-
dicators Not at all6%
Rarely11%
Occa-sionally
34%
Regu-larly49%
How often do you recite prayers?
Not at all82%
Rarely7%
Occasionally6%
Regularly5%
How often do you practice meditation?
14%
12%
12%
12%11%
10%
10%
9%
9%Health
Ecological diversity and resilience
Psychological wellbeing
Community vitality
Living standards
Time use
Cultural diversity and resilience
Good Governance
Education
Domain percentage contribution to GNH indexLowest contributionsObservation 3:
Happy Bhutanese did
not necessarily have high education
(9%).
Nor did they score equally high in Good Governance
(9%).
.
Value
Spea
k na
tive
lang
uage
Disabi
lity
Urban
izatio
n iss
ues
Life
sat
isfac
tion
Health
y da
ys
Self
repo
rted
heal
th sta
tus
Slee
p
Comm
unity
rela
tions
hip
Artisa
n sk
ills
Posit
ive
emot
ions
Polit
ical p
artic
ipat
ion
Spiri
tual
ity
Housin
gW
ork
Scho
olin
g
Know
ledg
e0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%Percentage of people enjoying sufficiency
Bhutanese enjoy highest sufficiency in value, safety, native language, family, mental health, etc.
Value
Fam
ily
Men
tal h
ealth
Spea
k na
tive
lang
uage
Health
y da
ys
Self
repo
rted
heal
th sta
tus
Gover
nmen
t per
form
ance
Wild
life
dam
age
(Rur
al)
House
hold
per
cap
ita in
com
e
Ecol
ogica
l iss
ues
Lite
racy
Comm
unity
rela
tions
hip
Housin
g
Drigla
m N
amzh
a
Serv
ices
Donat
ions
(tim
e & m
oney
)
Know
ledg
e0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Percentage of people who are happy & have suffi-ciency
The indicators in which happy people still often lack sufficiency were knowledge, participation in festivals, donations, having more than 6 years of schooling, enjoying government services, participating politically, and believing in the practice of Driglam Namzha.
Part II: Understanding Happiness1. National happiness2. Happiness by Dzongkhag3. Happiness by region4. Happiness by gender5. Happiness by age group6. Happiness by marital status7. Happiness by educational level8. Happiness by occupational group9. People’s Stories
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
0.8070.7950.7830.7750.7730.7710.7700.7700.7530.7520.7370.7360.7340.7320.7120.7080.6980.6980.6840.655
GNH Index by dzongkhag (district)
Paro
Sarp
ang
Dagan
aHaa
Thim
phuGas
a
Tsira
ng
Puna
kha
Zhem
gang
Chukh
a
Wan
gdue
Pho
dran
g
Sam
tse
Bum
than
g
Mon
gar
Pem
a Gat
shel
Tash
igan
g
Lhun
tse
Tash
i Yan
gste
Tron
gsa
Sam
drup
Jong
khar
0.5
0.55
0.6
0.65
0.7
0.75
0.8
0.85
0.9
Upper boundary
Confidence intervals of district level GNH indices
Paro
Sarp
ang
Dagan
aHaa
Puna
kha
Thim
phuGas
a
Tsira
ng
Chukh
a
Zhem
gang
Wan
gdue
Pho
dran
g
Bum
than
g
Mon
gar
Sam
tse
Pem
a Gat
shel
Tash
igan
g
Lhun
tse
Tash
i Yan
gste
Tron
gsa
Sam
drup
Jong
khar
0.5
0.55
0.6
0.65
0.7
0.75
0.8
0.85
0.9
Upper boundary
Confidence intervals of district level GNH in-dices
The GNH Index is relatively equal. There are not many significant differences. A larger sample would give higher
definition.
Paro
Sarp
ang
Dagan
aHaa
Puna
kha
Thim
phuGas
a
Tsira
ng
Chukh
a
Zhem
gang
Wan
gdue
Pho
dran
g
Bum
than
g
Mon
gar
Sam
tse
Pem
a Gat
shel
Tash
igan
g
Lhun
tse
Tash
i Yan
gste
Tron
gsa
Sam
drup
Jong
khar
0.5
0.55
0.6
0.65
0.7
0.75
0.8
0.85
0.9
Upper boundary
Confidence intervals of district level GNH in-dices
But we might divide Dzongkhags into roughly 3
groups.
Paro
Sarp
ang
Dagan
aHaa
Puna
kha
Thim
phuGas
a
Tsira
ng
Chukh
a
Zhem
gang
Wan
gdue
Pho
dran
g
Bum
than
g
Mon
gar
Sam
tse
Pem
a Gat
shel
Tash
igan
g
Lhun
tse
Tash
i Yan
gste
Tron
gsa
Sam
drup
Jong
khar
0.5
0.55
0.6
0.65
0.7
0.75
0.8
0.85
0.9
Upper boundary
GNH Index by Dzongkhags
Higher GNH Lower GNH
Samdrup Jongkhar
probably has the lowest GNH
Index
GNH index map by district
Higher GNH Index Lower GNH Index
GNH Index by district
GNH Index by district
Low GNH Index High GNH Index
Higher GNH Index Lower GNH Index
Percentage of happy people by district
Lower percentage of happy people
Higher percentage of happy people
Paro
Sarp
ang
Dagan
aHaa
Puna
kha
Thim
phuGas
a
Tsira
ng
Chukh
a
Zhem
gang
Wan
gdue
Pho
dran
g
Bum
than
g
Mon
gar
Sam
tse
Pem
a Gat
shel
Tash
igan
g
Lhun
tse
Tash
i Yan
gste
Tron
gsa
Sam
drup
Jong
khar
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9GNH Index Per capita Income (BLSSR 2007)
GNH ranks districts differently than per capita income
Paro
Sarp
ang
Dagan
aHaa
Puna
kha
Thim
phuGas
a
Tsira
ng
Chukh
a
Zhem
gang
Wan
gdue
Pho
dran
g
Bum
than
g
Mon
gar
Sam
tse
Pem
a Gat
shel
Tash
igan
g
Lhun
tse
Tash
i Yan
gste
Tron
gsa
Sam
drup
Jong
khar
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9GNH Index Per capita Income (BLSSR 2007)
GNH ranks districts differently than per capita income
Thimphu is not ranked most
highly in GNH.
Paro
Sarp
ang
Dagan
aHaa
Puna
kha
Thim
phuGas
a
Tsira
ng
Chukh
a
Zhem
gang
Wan
gdue
Pho
dran
g
Bum
than
g
Mon
gar
Sam
tse
Pem
a Gat
shel
Tash
igan
g
Lhun
tse
Tash
i Yan
gste
Tron
gsa
Sam
drup
Jong
khar
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9GNH Index Per capita Income (BLSSR 2007)
GNH ranks districts differently than per capita income
Thimphu is not ranked most
highly in GNH.
Dagana and Zhemgang do much better in
GNH than income.
Where do the happy people live?
Thimphu and Chukha are home to the highest number of happy people….And unhappy people!
They are big dzongkhags.
Next: Samtse & Sarpang
Gasa TrongsaPema Gatshel Lhuntse HaaTashi Yangste
BumthangZhemgang
PunakhaDagana
Tsirang
Samdrup Jongkhar
Wangdue Phodrang
Mongar
TashigangParo
Sarpang
Samtse
Chukha
Thimphu
GasaTrongsaPema GatshelLhuntseHaaTashi YangsteBumthangZhemgangPunakhaDaganaTsirangSamdrup JongkharWangdue PhodrangMongarTashigangParoSarpangSamtseChukhaThimphu
Samdrup Jongkhar
Tashi Yangste
Tashigang
Mongar
Samtse
Chukha
Punakha
Gasa
Haa
Sarpang
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Psychological wellbeing
Health
Time use
Education
Cultural diversity and resilience
Good Governance
Community vitality
Ecological diversity and resilience
Living standards
Domain contribution to happiness by Dzongkhag
The composition of happiness changes a little across Dzongkhags. Thimphu is better in education & living
standards, but worse in community vitality
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1Paro Samdrup Jongkhar
Percentage of people having sufficiency
Psychological wellbeing Health Time
useEducation Cultural
diversity and resilience
Good Governance
Community vitality
Ecological diversity and resilience
Living standards
Paro and Samdrup differ most in work time,
fundamental rights, services, income, housing and wildlife
damage .
Part II: Understanding Happiness1. National happiness2. Happiness by Dzongkhag3. Happiness by region4. Happiness by gender5. Happiness by age group6. Happiness by marital status7. Happiness by educational level8. Happiness by occupational group9. People’s Stories
.
UrbanNational
Rural
0.5
0.55
0.6
0.65
0.7
0.75
0.8
0.85
0.9
0.790
0.7370.726
GNH Index by region
.
UrbanNational
Rural
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%50%
41%
37%
Percentage of happy people
50% of urban dwellers are happy as per GNH criteria
.
Psychological wellbeing
Health
Time use
Education
Cultural diversity and resilienceGood Governance
Community vitality
Ecological diversity and resilience
Living standards
0%
10%
20%
RuralUrbanNational
Percentage contribution of domains to GNH Index Contribution of domains to happiness by region In rural areas,
Community vitality, Cultural diversity and
Good Governance contribute more to
happiness
Living standards, Education and Health
contribute more to happiness in urban
areas
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
Rural UrbanPercentage of Bhutanese having sufficiency by region
Psychological wellbeing Health
Time use
Education
Cultural diversity and resilience
Good Governance
Community vitality
Ecological diversity and resilience
Living standards
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
Rural UrbanPercentage of Bhutanese having sufficiency by region
Psychological wellbeing Health
Time use
Education
Cultural diversity and resilience
Good Governance
Community vitality
Ecological diversity and resilience
Living standards
Urban areas have higher sufficiency in
Health, Education, and Living standards.
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
Rural UrbanPercentage of Bhutanese having sufficiency by region
Psychological wellbeing Health
Time use
Education
Cultural diversity and resilience
Good Governance
Community vitality
Ecological diversity and resilience
Living standards
Rural areas have higher sufficiency in Community,
Culture, & much of Governance.
Part II: Understanding Happiness1. National happiness2. Happiness by Dzongkhag3. Happiness by region4. Happiness by gender5. Happiness by age group6. Happiness by marital status7. Happiness by educational level8. Happiness by occupational group9. People’s Stories
FemaleNational
Male
0.66
0.68
0.7
0.72
0.74
0.76
0.78
0.8
0.704
0.737
0.783
GNH Index by gender
Men are happier than women.
Female National Male0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
33%
41%
49%
Percentage of happy people
Psychological wellbeing
Health
Time use
Education
Cultural diversity and resilienceGood Governance
Community vitality
Ecological diversity and resilience
Living standards
0%
10%
20%
MaleFemale
Women seem to do better in living stan-dards and ecology.
Men and women are about the
same in health, time
use, gov-ernance, and
culture.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Male FemalePercentage Bhutanese having sufficiency by sex
Psychological wellbeing Health Educatio
nCultural diversity and resilience
Good Governance
Community vitality
Ecological diversity and resilience
Living standards
Part II: Understanding Happiness1. National happiness2. Happiness by Dzongkhag3. Happiness by region4. Happiness by gender5. Happiness by age group6. Happiness by marital status7. Happiness by educational level8. Happiness by occupational group9. People’s Stories
15-1
7
18-2
1
22-2
5
26-2
9
30-3
3
34-3
7
38-4
1
42-4
5
46-4
9
50-5
3
54-5
7
58-6
1
62-6
5
66-6
9
70-7
3
74-7
7
78-8
1
82-8
5>85
5.2
5.4
5.6
5.8
6
6.2
6.4
6.6
6.8Psychic Happiness level by age group
On a scale of zero to 10, I consider myself: 0 (Not a very happy per-son)------10 (Very happy person)
15-1
7
18-2
1
22-2
5
26-2
9
30-3
3
34-3
7
38-4
1
42-4
5
46-4
9
50-5
3
54-5
7
58-6
1
62-6
5
66-6
9
70-7
3
74-7
7
78-8
1
82-8
5>85
0.5
0.55
0.6
0.65
0.7
0.75
0.8
GNH Index Happiness levelPsychic Happiness
Age group analysis of GNH Index and Psychic Happiness variable
Part II: Understanding Happiness1. National happiness2. Happiness by Dzongkhag3. Happiness by region4. Happiness by gender5. Happiness by age group6. Happiness by marital status7. Happiness by educational level8. Happiness by occupational group9. People’s Stories
Never married
Married Divorced Separated Widowed0.000
0.100
0.200
0.300
0.400
0.500
0.600
0.700
0.800
0.7910.747
0.721
0.6610.625
GNH Index by marital status
Never married
Married Divorced Separated Widowed0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
50%
42%
36%
27%
19%
Percentage of happy people
Never
mar
ried
Mar
ried
Divor
ced
Sepa
rate
d
Widow
ed0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
8% 10% 11% 11% 12%11%
12% 13% 11% 12%11%
9% 8% 8% 6%
12% 11% 10% 11% 8%
Contribution to happiness by marital statusHealth
Ecological diversity and resilience
Living standards
Time use
Psychological wellbeing
Education
Community vitality
Cultural diversity and resi-lience
Good Governance
Part II: Understanding Happiness1. National happiness2. Happiness by Dzongkhag3. Happiness by region4. Happiness by gender5. Happiness by age group6. Happiness by marital status7. Happiness by educational level8. Happiness by occupational group9. People’s Stories
No fo
rmal e
duca
tion
Prim
ary ed
ucat
ion
(VI)
LS e
duca
tion
(VIII)
MS
educ
ation
(X)
HS ed
ucat
ion
(till de
gree
2nd
...
Diplom
a/Cer
tifica
te
Bach
elor
s Deg
ree
Post G
radu
ate
00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
1
GNH Index and percentage of happy people by educational level
Percentage of happy people GNH Index
No fo
rmal e
duca
tion
Prim
ary ed
ucat
ion
(VI)
LS e
duca
tion
(VIII)
MS
educ
ation
(X)
HS ed
ucat
ion
(till de
gree
2nd
yr)
Diplom
a/Cer
tifica
te
Bach
elor
s Deg
ree
Post G
radu
ate
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
Contribution of domains to happiness
Living standardsEcological diversity and resilienceCommunity vitalityGood GovernanceCultural diversity and resi-lienceEducationTime useHealthPsychological wellbeing
No fo
rmal e
duca
tion
Prim
ary ed
ucat
ion
(VI)
LS e
duca
tion
(VIII)
MS
educ
ation
(X)
HS ed
ucat
ion
(till de
gree
2nd
yr)
Diplom
a/Cer
tifica
te
Bach
elor
s Deg
ree
Post G
radu
ate
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
Contribution of domains to happiness
Living standardsEcological diversity and resilienceCommunity vitalityGood GovernanceCultural diversity and resi-lienceEducationTime useHealthPsychological wellbeing
As education increases, contribution of living standards & education to happiness increases; governance and culture decrease
Part II: Understanding Happiness1. National happiness2. Happiness by Dzongkhag3. Happiness by region4. Happiness by gender5. Happiness by age group6. Happiness by marital status7. Happiness by educational level8. Happiness by occupational group9. People’s Stories
00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
1
GNH Index and percentage of happy people by occu-pational status
Percentage of happy people GNH Index
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100% Contribution of domains to happinessLiving standards
Ecological di-versity and resi-lience
Community vital-ity
Good Governance
Cultural diversity and resilience
Education
Time use
Health
Psychological wellbeing
Part II: Understanding Happiness1. National happiness2. Happiness by Dzongkhag3. Happiness by region4. Happiness by gender5. Happiness by age group6. Happiness by marital status7. Happiness by educational level8. Happiness by occupational group9. People’s Stories
Who is Happy? Some real people
(minor details have been changed)
One happy person in the GNH survey was
a married woman aged 35 living in rural Haa. She is a housewife who has completed primary school. Again, she achieved sufficiency in over 90% of the domains. She said she still suffered from selfishness and jealousy, and did not donate very much time/money. She was concerned about littering and the absence of good waste disposal, as well as floods, and did not know any zorig chosum skill.
When asked what contributed most to her happiness she said:
• Having sufficient income• Being in good relation with
the husband• When everyone is in good
health.
Another happy person in the GNH survey was
a young man aged 22 who lived in rural Sarpang and was never married. He is a farmer who finished primary school. His only deprivations were that wildlife damaged his crops, and that he did not know about his political rights.
When asked what contributed most to happiness he said:
• A peaceful environment• Enough money• No suffering• Good health• Good relations with my
friends.
Another happy person in the GNH survey was
a widowed gomchen aged 70 living in rural Thimphu. He had no formal education, and was deprived in education, housing, sleep and did not participate politically.
He observed that getting good agricultural products from the land contributes to happiness.
Another happy person in the GNH survey was
a married woman farmer aged 44 living in rural Tongsa. She was illiterate, and was deprived from wildlife damage to her crops, and thought she never felt forgiveness among the positive emotions – yet was happy.
She mused that she felt happy when she was able to do her household work, when she was harvesting potatoes, and as she wove.
Another happy person in the GNH survey was
a married shopkeeper aged 37 living in urban Bumthang. He has finished 10th class, and meditates and prays regularly. He enjoys sufficiency in nearly every indicator. But he did mention that at the moment he only rarely experiences calmness and contentment. He also lacked some knowledge and did not think Driglam Namzha was terribly important.
Another happy person in the GNH survey was
a married corporate employee aged 35 living in urban Chukha. He has completed 10th class, and has achieved sufficiency in nearly all indicators. He was a bit sleep deprived, and did not feel a deep sense of belonging to his community, but was overall very satisfied with his life.
When asked what contributed most to happiness he said:
• To be healthy• To meet basic needs• To have peace in the
family• To be religious
Our final happy person in the GNH survey is
an unmarried young woman aged 26 living in
urban Tashigang. She completed a bachelor’s degree and is a civil servant living alone. She scores highly across domains, although she misses a sense of belonging. When asked what contributes to her happiness she replied: Love, Family, Friends, Education, and Enough money.
.
The 2010 Gross National Happiness Index : Part II
The Centre for Bhutan Studies2011
.