Happiness as a Pillar of Nationhood: Bhutan’s Vision for the Future
Located at the southern foot of the Himalayan Mountains, Bhutan is known for its government based on
the principles of Gross National Happiness, a metric for the population’s happiness.
The pavilion’s ‘Happy Future’ zone covers lifestyles, culture, and traditions, while the ‘Good Governance’
zone covers medical facilities, education, and the royal family.
There is also the ‘Sustainable Social and Economic Development’ zone that covers happiness and
liberation from materialism, the ‘Cultural Preservation and Promotion’ zone on Buddhism, and the
‘Environmental Conservation’ zone on snow leopards, a symbol of biodiversity, and the takin, which is the
national animal.
