An Extensive Analysis of GNH Index

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Abstract

The current paper introduces the 2010 Gross National Happiness Index, which has been advanced by the Centre for Bhutan Studies. It provides a thorough explanation of the methodology, drawing attention to both strengths and standing questions. The remainder of this introduction describes the four pillars and nine dimensions of GNH and the purpose of the GNH Index for public policy. The first part sets out the methodology of the index. It introduces the 2008 GNH Index, the 2010 Gross National Happiness Survey, and the Alkire-Foster methodology as adapted for the GNH Index. It concludes by presenting the GNH Index formulae and interpretation, and introducing the logic for the following two sections. The second part focuses on understanding the achievements of people who have been identified as 'happy' because they enjoy a sufficient combination of achievements across domains. This includes the groups described as 'extensively happy' and 'deeply happy'. This section describes the GNH Index and its associated variables by district, age, gender, and other classifications, and shares the composition of sufficiency among happy people. The third part focuses on increasing happiness. It focuses upon people who are not-yet-happy and scrutinizes the indicators and domains in which they lack sufficiency – because addressing these will increase GNH. This analysis uses the GNH Index, but focuses on the not-yet-happy population and on insufficiency rather than sufficiency.