The Happiest Country in the World – Bhutan

Bhutan is a small country in the Himalayas, known as the last Shangri-La. 

With just under 1 million people sandwiched between two of the most populated countries on earth, China and India, Bhutan has survived for centuries without being colonized. In fact, they are thriving, much of which they attribute to great leadership.

Their leaders have worked tirelessly to protect the country’s rich natural environment, making decisions and measuring progress through the “Gross National Happiness” or GNH. For Bhutan, Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product. 

Their government initiatives are on track to make the country’s agriculture waste-free by 2030. 72% of their country is covered in forest, and they have a law in the country that it can never drop below 60%.

Turns out, this a big deal. Of the 200-odd countries in the world today, Bhutan is the only one that’s carbon negative. The entire country generates 2.2 million tons of carbon dioxide, but their forests sequester more than three times that amount.

Today, more than half their country is protected, as national parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. But the beauty is that they’ve connected them all with one another through a network of biological corridors. Now, what this means is that their animals are free to roam throughout our country. Take this tiger, for example. It was spotted at 250 meters above sea level in the hot, subtropical jungles. Two years later, that same tiger was spotted near 4,000 meters in our cold alpine mountains. Isn’t that awesome? 

GNH is a pioneering vision that aims to improve the happiness and well-being of their people. But that’s easier said than done, especially when they are one of the smallest economies in the world – with an entire GDP of less than two billion dollars.

So while their economy is small… Education is completely free. Healthcare is completely free. Energy is also free for farmers in rural areas.

Today, Bhutan’s culture is flourishing. They continue to celebrate art and architecture, food, dress, and festivals, monks and monasteries. 

When you visit you can enjoy Trekking, Rafting, Cycling, and many other outdoor activities that make the Kingdom of Bhutan so Special. It’s a country unlike any others and you have to see the happiest country in the world for yourself!

Grab your Backpack, There’s More to Explore.