Weaving Wellbeing into the Fabric of the Economy

Abstract

Abstract Gross national happiness (GNH), as a living experiment in wellbeing economics, has its roots in Bhutan and is now influencing development thinking and practice worldwide. This chapter traces the history of GNH as it emerged from its birthplace in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan and describes how its unique vision has been moving from intention into action. The authors discuss the GNH Index and how it offers a holistic measurement and policy framework that integrates psychological, physical, societal, and environmental wellbeing, then explore several unique aspects of GNH: prioritising wellbeing rather than economic growth as the purpose of the economy, addressing both the outer conditions (an enabling environment) and inner factors (values and mindsets) for a wellbeing economy, and articulating a form of leadership described as ‘leadership of the self’. The authors describe how GNH is influencing wellbeing initiatives at different levels of scale, including individual, organisational, national, and global. They argue that the goal of human flourishing is deeply connected to tackling the current crisis of sustainability. The chapter concludes with reflections on how lessons from Bhutan’s experience might help inform and navigate opportunities and challenges going forward, both for Bhutan and for an emerging network of economies of wellbeing worldwide.