GNH’s indicators get streamlined

Thimphu, January 17: Centre for Bhutan Studies, led by a political party chief, said it has identified income, health, family, spirituality and good governance as the measuring rod of happiness.

In a recent research, CBS said 66 percent of the respondents said income was the most important factor to make them happy.

The research further said 56.3 percent of the respondents are positive towards their future and 72.8 percent explained their strong attachment with the society. Some 60 percent like to spend their life in spiritual way, making frequent prayers and 35 percent perceived compassion.

Likewise, the research found out that people living in big families are happier than those living in smaller families, men are happier than women and the educated population happier than the illiterate. But women have heavier workload compared to men.

Issues such as unsatisfactory income, future for their children and increasing health problems have become the cause of stress for 19 percent of the Bhutanese people.

CBS said 13 percent of people get angry frequently, 17.4 percent concerned of their poor health, 16.6 percent have disabilities and 31.7 percent said their income is below the average annual.

47.7 percent of the respondent said they give importance to wealth for happiness. Trust among the society is decreasing — 70.6 percent said they care when dealing with other.

CBS interview 350 people for the research. Another of such research is to be held shortly. CBS claimed such indicators will help develop GNH as a vision or philosophy. Bhutan News Service