This document discusses well-being and happiness. It notes that GDP only measures economic outputs and does not account for social and environmental factors that influence well-being. Alternative indicators like the Genuine Progress Indicator and Canadian Index of Well-Being have been developed to measure well-being. Subjective surveys also measure reported levels of happiness. Happiness is determined by various domains like health, social support, community, education, environment and work-life balance. The document advocates taking a survey to identify low scores and taking action, like limiting work hours, to improve one's well-being.

1. Seattle Happiness
Conference

2. International Expert Working
Group in Bhutan

3. Well-Being and Happiness:
What do we mean?

4. The Problems with GDP
GDP measures all expenditures in
a society as positive. Oil spills,
heart attacks, divorce, etc. all add
to GDP. GDP does not measure
many things that are important for
well-being, such as the value of
housework, volunteering, leisure
time, nature.
“Gross National Happiness is
more important than Gross
National Product.”
-Jigme Singye Wangchuck,
former King of Bhutan

5. Measuring Well-Being
Well-Being
 Conditions of Life
 Objective Indicators
 Goal of policy change
Indicators of Well-Being
 Genuine Progress Indicator
 Canadian Index of Well-Being

6. Measuring Happiness
 Subjective
surveys : how do you feel
about your health, social support, financial
security, etc.?
 Examples :
OECD Better Life Index,
Happiness Initiative GNH Index–
www.happpycounts.org

7. Domains of Happiness
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Living Standards
Health
Mental Health
Community Vitality
Cultural Vitality
Governance
Education
Environment
Time Balance
Plus (Gallup) Work Satisfaction

8. What can we learn from
survey?
Happiness scores:
Overall life satisfaction
Material Well-Being
Governance
Environment
Community Vitality
Social Support
Education, Arts and Culture
Mental Health
Health
Time Balance
Work Satisfaction
66
67
52
68
53
71
67
70
65
60
50

9. Call to Action
 Take the survey.
 Pick one of your lowest scores (eg. Time
balance).
 Decide on one activity to improve it (eg.
Don’t check work emails after work).
 Do this for three weeks.
 Take survey again and reassess your
score—has it improved. Has it affected
other scores?

10. Call to Action
 Take the survey.
 Pick one of your lowest scores (eg. Time
balance).
 Decide on one activity to improve it (eg.
Don’t check work emails after work).
 Do this for three weeks.
 Take survey again and reassess your
score—has it improved. Has it affected
other scores?