What is it about the happiest country in the world?

Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia, situated between India and China. Although Bhutan has one of the lowest-ranked economies in the world, and poverty and illiteracy remain widespread, its people are considered among the happiest in the world.

A survey has shown that thanks to its stunning scenery and strong sense of national pride, the people of this country always feel happy and comfortable living here.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is situated next to the Himalayas, and up to 60% of its land remains largely unspoiled. During holidays, the people of Bhutan feel much more fortunate than people in other countries who are often crammed into suffocating urban areas.

The people of Bhutan have a very strong environmental awareness; half of the country's land is protected within national parks. They themselves feel very happy to live in such a good environment.

Bhutanese people are not interested in TV and the internet; in fact, they didn't have access to television until 1999. However, in this country, people don't care much about media. They believe that excessive internet access, seeing wealthy people, cars, and money, would stir up envy and dissatisfaction with their own lives. In reality, Bhutanese people don't worry or feel sad about not having the latest iPhone because, for them, simply being alive is enough.

In Bhutan, the government has developed a scale called the Gross National Happiness Index to measure people's life satisfaction. The Bhutanese government is always aware of the importance of bringing happiness to its people in their daily lives.

The people here also have a very regular and disciplined sleep schedule. A survey showed that two-thirds of the population get eight hours of sleep each night, which contributes to their good health and makes them feel more relaxed each day. To protect the health of its people, the Bhutanese government was the first country in the world to completely ban smoking and the sale of tobacco (since 2004).

The national government has also implemented policies aimed at eliminating artificial chemicals in agricultural production with the goal of creating a clean and safe food source for public health. The import of chemical fertilizers is also officially banned in this country.

The majority of Bhutanese people are Buddhist and vegetarian. They firmly believe in the law of karma, so they live compassionately, kindly, and do good deeds for others. This makes life in Bhutan even more peaceful. In fact, there is virtually no crime in Bhutan.

The gap between social classes is not too wide. The people of Bhutan are very friendly; even a prince might play ball with children without any discrimination. This is what makes the people of Bhutan more content with their lives.

Bhutan is not a large, wealthy, or powerful country, and is even quite isolated from the world; however, the happiness that the people of Bhutan experience is something not found everywhere.

Bao Khuyen