Summary 

Since 1961, the Royal Government of Bhutan has embarked on a far-reaching development strategy articulated in a series of five-year national development plans. Since 1972, these plans have been guided by the philosophy and policy direction of the Gross National Happiness (GNH) introduced by the Fourth King His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk. Bhutan has achieved remarkable progress, with the share of nation's population living below the poverty line effectively cut in half between 2007 to 2015. However, challenges remain in consolidating the accomplishments of the successive plans and of the implementation of the Millenium Development Goals from 2000 to 2015. 

In 2015, Bhutan began drafting its 12th Five Year Plan to the further pursuit of GNH, considering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) therein. This project aims to support the Government in developing a plan that is results-oriented, inclusive and financially sustainable, with a focus on data for evidence-based decision-making, to attain and measure progress towards GNH that also provides measureable SDG results.

To support this, the project is working with partners to ensure:

1. The 12th Five Year Plan is inclusive and results-oriented, mapping progress to advance GNH while also measuring SDG impact where relevant 
2. A data ecosystem is in place in Bhutan that supports evidence-based decision making 
3. The public and sectors are familiar with the SDGs and how to leverage them as a tool to achieve GNH