Examining the Influence of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on Happiness: A Systems Thinking Perspective

The topic of happiness has gained significant attention during the last decade. With the influx of popular books and research into the topic of happiness, our understanding of the ‘emergence’ of happiness and its significance and connection to well-being is increasing. ‘International institutions, national governments and communities are promoting and measuring happiness in various ways’ (Iriarte and Musikanski, International Journal of Community Well-Being 1:115–135, 2019:115). The General Assembly of the United Nations in 2012 proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness (UN DESA). This was predated in 1972 with the declaration by 4th King of Bhutan, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck that ‘Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product’. Recognizing the emphasis on a more holistic approach towards progress in personnel and national well-being, this chapter employs a system thinking and complexity lens in the examination of the extant literature and data on happiness and well-being and presents an ‘interpretive’ network analysis revealing the inherent relationality and influence of various factors on the emergence of happiness. The insights are far reaching in terms of recognizing the influence of public policy objectives pertaining to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on national happiness.