Bhutan
From Wikiprogress.org
| Bhutan | |
 Flag of Bhutan | |
| Population (In Millions) | NA |
| Human Development Index | 141/169 |
| Gross Domestic Product (In USD Billions - World Bank) | 1.52 |
| Global Peace Index | 34/153 |
| Happy Planet Index | 17/143 |
| Social Institutions and Gender Index | 64/102 |
| Environmental Performance Index | 40/163 |
| Child Mortality Rate | 43.7 |
| More information on variables | |
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About
Bhutan is located in South Asia and shares its borders in the south, east and west with India and to the north with the People's Republic of China.
Multidimensional Poverty Index
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) for Bhutan is 0.119. The MPI is an international measure of acute poverty covering 109 countries. The MPI reflects the multiple deprivations that poor people face at the same time in three dimensions: health, education and living standards. The MPI reflects both the incidence or headcount ratio (H) of poverty – the proportion of the population that is multidimensionally poor – and the average intensity (A) of their poverty – the average proportion of indicators in which poor people are deprived. More information on the MPI in Bhutan is available here.
Gross National Happiness
Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a global indicator of progress, which measures both sustainable economy and social development, while protecting the environment and culture.
In Bhutan, where GNH originated, it is based on four pillars (Centre for Bhutan Studies):
- the promotion of sustainable development,
- preservation and promotion of cultural values,
- conservation of the natural environment,
- and establishment of good governance.
Read the Announcement of the 4th International Conference on Gross National Happiness
Gross National Happiness Explained.
Development Progress Story: Valuing the contribution of the environment to Gross National Happiness in Bhutan
Bhutan's progress in the sustaining the environment has been highlighted as a part the Overseas Development Institute's Development Progress Stories, an initiative looking at what is working in development and why.
Key messages from the research:
- The Government of Bhutan has placed environmental conservation at the core of its development strategy. Understanding how environmental progress has been made must take into account the country’s historical context and its overarching approach to development, as captured in the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH).
- Today, 38% of the country’s land is designated as national protected areas and 75% is covered in forest. The development of hydroelectricity has been an important element in the preservation of natural resources, and has resulted in one of the lowest rates of fossil fuel use in the world.
- Bhutan’s story of progress highlights the importance of cultural and spiritual heritage in shaping how a nation manages its natural environment. Its religious background in Buddhism has been an important factor in encouraging strong environmental stewardship. The quality of national leadership and ownership has also ensured successful environmental conservation.
The full research can be found here: Valuing the contribution of the environment to Gross National Happiness in Bhutan
Report on Bhutan, Democracy and Gross National Happiness
AlJazeera Report: 101 East speaks exclusively to Jigme Thinley about the challenges facing the world's youngest democracy.
Official Statistics
Official Website for Statistics and Reports about Bhutan
See also
- Asia
- Gross National Happiness
- Indicators
- Gross National Happiness and the search for a new global economic architecture
- Gross National Happiness USA
External Links
Progress Papers and Publications
- Bhutan National Human Development Report 2011
Sustaining Progress: Rising to the Climate Challenge
Climate Change threatens Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness. Impressive economic and human development gains that contribute to Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness are threatened by changing climate conditions with the country’s poorest people likely to suffer the worst impact, according to the third National Human Development Report “Rising to the Climate Challenge” released on 1 September in Thimphu.The report - a collaboration between the Gross National Happiness Commission Secretariat on behalf of the Royal Government of Bhutan, and UNDP is an outcome of consultations with various national institutions, civil society organizations and development partner agencies.
