Addressing the Goa Legislative Assembly, Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju announced that the state government will take a concrete step towards measuring citizens’ well-being by preparing Goa’s first-ever Happiness Index. Calling it a pioneering initiative for the state, the Governor said the index will assess the overall quality of life of Goans beyond economic indicators.
“I am proud to announce that my government will take a concrete step in this direction by preparing a first-of-its-kind Happiness Index for Goa,” the Governor said. The index will evaluate the well-being of residents across multiple parameters, including health, education, environment, culture, community life, and overall life satisfaction.
What exactly is a Happiness Index?
A Happiness Index is a framework used to measure how satisfied people are with their lives, going beyond traditional metrics such as income or GDP. It typically evaluates factors such as physical and mental health, access to education, environmental quality, social relationships, cultural participation, governance, and work-life balance.
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Unlike economic growth indicators, a happiness index focuses on how people actually experience daily life. Governments use these findings to design people-centric policies, improve public services, and identify areas where social well-being needs strengthening.
Goa Not Alone: Madhya Pradesh Earlier Tried Happiness Mapping
Interestingly, Goa is not the first Indian state to explore happiness as a governance goal. Madhya Pradesh pioneered India’s first government-backed happiness initiative in 2016, when it set up the Happiness Department (Anand Vibhag) under then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Inspired by Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness model, the state planned a Gross Happiness Index, partnering with IIT Kharagpur to design a 30-question survey covering education, socio-economic conditions, governance, and life satisfaction. The survey was intended to be rolled out across districts by 2017.
However, as of 2025, the comprehensive index survey remains pending. While pilot initiatives such as Anandgrams (model happiness villages) were introduced in all 55 districts, the full-scale implementation faced delays, shifting focus more towards inner well-being rather than measurable outcomes.
Top 10 Happiest Indian States
Based on lifestyle indicators, governance quality, environment, healthcare, and social cohesion, the following states are often cited among India’s happiest:
- Himachal Pradesh – Clean environment, low crime, peaceful lifestyle
- Mizoram – Strong community bonds, rich culture, low crime
- Sikkim – Eco-friendly policies, high literacy, good governance
- Goa – Relaxed lifestyle, vibrant culture, strong healthcare
- Kerala – Top-tier healthcare, education, high literacy
- Tamil Nadu – Cultural depth, job opportunities, healthcare access
- Punjab – Agricultural prosperity, strong family networks
- Uttarakhand – Natural beauty, low crime, eco-tourism
- Rajasthan – Cultural richness, improving infrastructure
- Maharashtra – Economic strength, diversity, robust infrastructure
UAE’s Happiness Governance Model
Globally, the United Arab Emirates emerged as a pioneer in institutionalising happiness within governance. In 2016, the UAE created the world’s first Minister of State for Happiness, under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
The ministry, initially headed by Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, launched the National Happiness and Positivity Program, introduced happiness metrics beyond GDP, and trained Chief Happiness Officers across government departments. Initiatives such as Customer Happiness Centres, Happy Workplaces, and the UAE Declaration of Happiness brought global attention to the model.
Also, Bhutan who conceptualised Gross National Happiness in the 1970s, the UAE became the first to operationalise happiness as a formal government portfolio.
