Maldives to establish a national happiness index

Maldives’ government is working on establishing a happiness index to measure the happiness level of Maldivian citizens.

In a press conference on Thursday, Local Government Minister Adam Shareef Umar said it is important to measure the level of happiness and satisfaction of people living in across the Maldivian islands, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the status of the people.

“This is an effort to identify how people living across the islands measure the state of the islands and their level of happiness,” he said.

Adam Shareef said the government is engaged in efforts to establish a national happiness index.

He said that the index will be an inclusive framework created through an open consultative process to get a clear picture of the status of islands.

Adam Shareef said that islands that score well in the index will be awarded.

“We also plan on seeking public opinion to decide standards for establishing the happiness index. The work on compiling the happiness index will be carried out based on a framework that the majority is in favor of, through a process based on public opinion and consultations with relevant experts,” he said.

Some of the factors the happiness index is based on includes:

• Low crime rate
• Sustainable development
• Good basic hygiene standards
• Strong communal bonds
• Strong familial bonds
• A cohesive environment for children and elderly
• An inclusive environment for people with disabilities
• Generosity
• Good educational standard
• Good health standard
• Strong societal awareness
• Respect for religion, culture and heritage
• Strong social support
• Income
• Freedom
• Absence of corruption

Adam Shareef said the Maldives’ national happiness index will be based on international best practice.

He said the index will be introduced next year.