Bhutan and the Holistic Development of Happiness

Bhutan’s decision to ditch the use of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in favor of other non-economic indicators of national progress have led it to be dubbed the Kingdom of Happiness. One of the keys to this approach is to look beyond growth and measure development by the benefits that growth can provide to the overall wellbeing of the individual. Borja Santos, Executive Director of the IE School of Global and Public Affairs and Professor of Practice in Public Policy, Development, and Social Entrepreneurship, talks to Jigme Thinley, politician and former Prime Minister of Bhutan, on how society can be developed on the basis of a philosophy of “Gross National Happiness” and discusses the challenges that still need to be overcome.