By 2022, Bhutan’s total GDP is $2.54 billion, ranking 164th in the world, and its per capita GDP is only $3,300, making it one of the least developed countries in the world. Countries on the same level as Bhutan include Gambia, Suriname and Belize, all of which are backward countries. However, Bhutan has been named by the media as one of the “happiest countries in the world”. Are Bhutanese really happy?
The Happiest Country in Asia
Bhutan, the full name of the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a South Asian country located in the middle of China and India. It is geographically remote, mountainous and forested, with a total land area of less than 40,000 square kilometers and a population of only 700,000. Due to its location at the southern foot of the Himalayas and subtropical climate in the south, glacial meltwater nourishes this land all the year round, making Bhutan’s agriculture very developed, with a forest coverage rate of up to 70%, but its industrial base is weak, and industrial waste gas and electronic products are rarely seen here. The main industry is power generation, after all, there is a large terrain gap and abundant hydropower resources.
Bhutan has no other important resources, and its people depend on agriculture for most of their livelihoods. As early as the mid-20th century, Bhutan implemented land reform and allocated 60% of the agricultural population to land. Because of this, Bhutan ranks at the bottom in terms of GDP and GDP per capita and is one of the least developed countries in Asia. As a poor country, Bhutan is hardly known to the outside world, until a ranking in 2006 made Bhutan a tourist city. In the 2006 “World’s Happiest Countries” list, Bhutan was ranked eighth and number one in Asia. Business Week followed suit and named Bhutan the happiest country in Asia. Under the influence and rendering of the media, Bhutan is known around the world for its “happiness”, and countless people have begun to come to Bhutan to see this different happy country.
The Happiness of the Bhutanese
As early as the 1970s, the King of Bhutan put forward the “Gross National Happiness” theory, he believes that the development of a country should not rely on GDP alone, and should be judged by the national happiness index.
To put it bluntly, the king of Bhutan believes that money does not make people happy and that economic development should also enrich people’s minds, which is praised by Western countries. Soon after, Bhutan set up the National Happiness Administration, every two years to conduct a happiness index questionnaire, such as today meditate? Are you angry today? Did you plant any trees today?
The Bhutanese government also provides many benefits for its citizens, such as the local implementation of 10 years of free education, the threshold of high school and university is not high, and the poor are funded by the state to study, so Bhutanese invest little in education.
Bhutan also provides free medical care, regardless of major illnesses and minor illnesses are paid by the state, which makes the local society has a small gap between rich and poor, the crime rate is very low, and the door is not closed at night.
The pace of society in Bhutan is slow, so slow that you don’t need to look at your watch, government offices only need to work for a few hours to close, and their salary level is not too high, but everyone is satisfied.
Bhutan is still a green country, 73% of the land is covered by forests, and 60% of the land belongs to ecological reserves, the government is reluctant to cut down forests and would rather import wood from abroad at high prices, the national regardless of how many trees have to apply. In order to protect the environment, Bhutan is willing to spend 12 years to build a power plant underground. For those newly married couples, the government allows them to cut down trees to build houses, but they have to plant new trees in time, so as to better protect the environment.
For the sake of environmental resources, the Bhutanese government prohibits the use of plastic bags and does not introduce any industrial and commercial activities that cause environmental deterioration. The Bhutanese diet is also relatively simple, all vegetables sold here are organic, and no bugs are allowed to be killed. Although they do eat meat, slaughterhouses are banned and all meat has to be imported from India.
Restricted tourists in Bhutan
Bhutan’s tourism industry is very developed, since the 1970s began to open up to foreign tourists to come, but the Bhutanese government adopts a “high value, low impact” tourism policy, only 50,000 tourists are allowed to enter each year, tourists often have to apply six months in advance.
Once in Bhutan, visitors need to spend at least $200 a day, otherwise they can’t stay. In addition to compulsory consumption, tourists can not travel freely, many places are not open to the outside world, after getting off the plane, there are professional guides accompanied, tourists can only follow the guide to see the fixed attractions.
Until today, Bhutan is still raising visas and round-trip fees, which is said to test the sincerity of tourists, but in fact, tourists are being slaughtered. What’s more, All foreign visitors, except Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian nationals, need a Bhutan visa to enter Bhutan. Visas are processed through licensed Bhutanese tour operators or their international partners. It’s mandatory to book a pre-arranged tour package, which includes accommodation, meals, a guide, and transportation.
The best times to visit Bhutan are during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is pleasant, and the skies are clear. These periods are also ideal for attending festivals and trekking. Winter (December to February) can be cold but offers clear views of the Himalayas, while the summer monsoon season (June to August) is less crowded and lushly green.
Bhutan’s commitment to happiness, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability makes it a unique and inspiring destination. By planning your trip with respect for its traditions and regulations, you can experience the joy and serenity that Bhutan offers. Whether you’re trekking to ancient monasteries, participating in vibrant festivals, or simply soaking in the peaceful landscapes, a journey to Bhutan promises to be a transformative and unforgettable adventure.
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