Time Use and Happiness

In: Gross National Happiness: Practice and Measurement: Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Gross National Happiness. Thimphu, Centre for Bhutan Studies 2008, pp. 169-206 . ISBN 978-99936-14-52-4

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Abstract

The study of time use in different Bhutanese regions presents a wide array of information related to public policy issues. For instance it was found that rural people spend quite a substantial amount of time on travel and commute as well as waiting for services to be delivered. This amounts to a waste of people's precious time since they are not able to work in their farms during such days. Such information could be very useful to our policy makers involved in planning rural roads and transport and communication facilities and those engaged in instituting effective governance. Finally, the study provides a clear picture of how time use affects wellbeing or happiness. To the extent we know that there is such a relationship we can design policies towards affecting time use pattern that would bring greater happiness or wellbeing to the society.