Is an indicator that was firstly developed in Bhutan. The concept grabbed the attention of the rest of the world because it measured the progress of a community or nation in a different way
A countries development should also be measured in a citizens happiness.
There had to be a way to balance the economical with the spiritual well being of the people
Gdp is applied to measure the total value of all goods and services produced in a nation within a given year
GDP has become a valuable tool for evaluating how well or poorly an economy's doing at a certain point in time.
Gdp is a reliable indicator of economic wealth
However GDP really only measures one thing -- money
For some people this indicator tells them everything they need to know
But for others money can be one in many factors that determine an economy's health
There are more important things to consider like happiness, for example.
Bhutan's former king has been espousing the concept of gross national happiness since 1972, and the country adopted it as a formal economic indicator in 2002.
Gross domestic product is not a measure of human well being, it is simply a measure of goods and services exchanged in a market-place at a given time in a given country.
GDP “does not adequately reflect the happiness and well-being of people in a country.”
Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigmi Y. Thinley
"The ultimate goal of every human individual, is happiness, so then it must be the responsibility of the state, or the government, to create those conditions that will enable citizens to pursue this value, this goal".
Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigmi Y. Thinley
So, is GDP better than GNH?
Is Gross National Happiness more important than GDP?
(cc) image by nuonsolarteam on Flickr
(cc) photo by medhead on Flickr
GNH
fundamental need of the human individual
GDP
it does not measure or account for so many things that are important to the well-being of a human individual
GNH
It is based on that the measurement of "wealth" should consider other aspects besides economic development
The concept of GNH is that every human being aspires for happiness.
For example:
- The preservation of the environment and the quality of life of the people.
- The goal of society should be the integration of development with psychological, cultural and spiritual aspects. All in harmony with the earth.