{"id":14016,"date":"2016-01-11T09:36:18","date_gmt":"2016-01-10T22:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=14016&preview_id=14016"},"modified":"2025-06-19T09:54:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T23:54:49","slug":"bhutan-liveable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/bhutan-liveable\/","title":{"rendered":"6 reasons Bhutan might be the world’s most liveable country"},"content":{"rendered":"

In case you need a reminder that wealth does not necessarily equate to happiness, meet Bhutan<\/a>\u2026 one of the happiest little vegemites on Earth.<\/p>\n

Dressed in a traditional knee length \u2018gho\u2019, Bhutan \u2013 if personified – would be the oriental friend you wish you always had. Bhutan would be interesting to talk to, with a charismatic charm you could never quite put your finger on. Bhutan would be kind, humble and sensitive, and incredibly attuned to his emotion self.\u00a0Bhutan would live self-sufficiently (but not in a preachy way) and his brows would rise every time you chose automobile as your first choice of transport (you know\u2026 over those two strong limbs that connect with your feet to the ground).<\/p>\n

Sadly, Bhutan is not a person. But luckily, Bhutan does exist (and its in the form of an entire nation cushioned between China<\/a> and the northeastern tip of India) *insert praise\/celebratory emoji* Here are six reasons why it might just change the way you live:<\/p>\n

1. Spirituality<\/h3>\n
\"bhutan---anja-disseldorp-2\"<\/a>

Image c\/o Anja Disseldorp, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

Bhutan is a Buddhist kingdom of the Himalayas. \u2018Mayahana\u2019 (tantric) Buddhism is Bhutan\u2019s official religion, and is practiced by about 75% of its entire population. Buddhist monasteries dot this nation and, while aesthetically exquisite in nature, they also serve as a reminder that the Bhutanese are a people, incredibly reverent towards each other, as well their land and animals.<\/p>\n

While Buddhism is Bhutan\u2019s \u2018go-to\u2019 religion, Bhutan also has historical ties to several forms of animistic beliefs that are still held by many today.<\/p>\n

2. Gross National Happiness<\/h3>\n
\"bhutan---brentolson\"<\/a>

Image c\/o Brentolson, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

While most countries measure their success in the form of GDP (gross domestic product) Bhutan measures its national prosperity in the form of \u2018Gross National Happiness\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018Gross National Happiness\u2019 is a term first coined by His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan in the 1970s. It is a concept that implies wellbeing should take preference over material growth.\u00a0Bhutanese policies have been set up through the \u2018GNH\u2019 index, based on equitable social development, cultural preservation, conservation of the environment and good governance.<\/p>\n

3. Environmental Conservation<\/h3>\n
\"bhutan---marina-&-enrique-2\"<\/a>

Image c\/o Marina & Enrique, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

The Bhutanese are known for living in harmony with their environment. Bhutan is one of the last remaining biodiversity hotspots in the world, with most of its natural environment still pristine and intact. It is also the only country whose largest export is renewable energy.<\/p>\n

Environmental sustainability is Bhutan\u2019s primary objective with around 72% of Bhutanese land still covered by natural forest. The government has enacted a law that shall maintain at least 60% of its forest cover for all time. 60% of its land mass already falls under protected areas.<\/p>\n

4. Light tourist footfall<\/h3>\n

Bhutan<\/a> was opened to tourists in 1974. Since then, the Bhutanese government has remained acutely cautious of the environmental damage that tourist footfall can have. To maintain a largely unspoiled landscape, the Bhutanese government has restricted the level of touristic activity that is undertaken.<\/p>\n

Minimum tariffs <\/strong><\/p>\n

Bhutan believes in \u2018high value, low impact\u2019 tourism. This sees a daily minimum tariff charged to tourists (all who need to be travelling on a pre-planned, pre-paid guided tour).<\/p>\n

In high season, the daily minimum is roughly $250 USD, however this fee covers a package that includes all internal taxes and charges, including royalty, accommodation, all meals, services of licensed guides, internal transport etc.<\/p>\n

These fees go towards providing free healthcare and free education to citizens, as well as towards alleviating poverty, and preserving the environment.<\/p>\n

5. Life moves at a slower pace<\/h3>\n
\"bhutan-<\/a>

The busiest intersection in Thimpu, sans traffic lights. Image c\/o Khaled Monsoor.<\/p><\/div>\n

In Bhutan, real life thrives. Its Buddhist values and unmaterialistic lifestyle leaves its people feeling more connected to one another and the Earth. Life moves at a slower pace in Bhutan. Even the speed limit of vehicles is on average, 20km per hour (if that\u2019s any indication that they\u2019re in no hurry for life to pass by quickly). Plus the capital Thimpu is one of only two in the world that doesn\u2019t have traffic lights. They trialled one set of lights, but locals prefer the dramatic arm gestures of the city\u2019s friendly traffic cops.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

6. Little Crime<\/h3>\n

Bhutan has a very low crime rate. This may be linked to its nation\u2019s strong ties with Buddhism and its focus on the wellbeing and happiness of its people.<\/p>\n

Incidents of petty crime however, are occasional, and crime rates have risen slightly since the influx of foreign workers and its growing contact with foreign cultures. However, all in all, the Bhutanese culture experience very little violent crime rates and thefts.<\/p>\n

7. Gender Equality *feminists cheer*<\/h3>\n
\"bhutan---andrea-williams-2\"<\/a>

Image c\/o Andrea Williams, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

Over the past few decades, Bhutan as improved gender inequalities within its society and is now one of the most gender equal countries in Asia.<\/p>\n

While there are still gaps between women and men in relation to education, employment and decision-making, Bhutan has taken great care in outlining gender-responsive planning and budgeting as a means to support women\u2019s value within society.<\/p>\n

Feature image c\/o Marina & Enrique, Flickr\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Lots of nature? Check. An official happiness index? Check. Zero traffic lights? 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