Bhutan: A Land of Happiness Struggling with Long Working Hours

Bhutan’s Paradox: Happiness vs. Work

The picturesque Kingdom of Bhutan, nestled between China and India, is widely known for its unique approach to economic development — prioritizing its Gross National Happiness over GDP. In practice, though, many Bhutanese workers have little time left for the pursuit of happiness.

Overworked and Underappreciated

The tiny country tops the ranking for the average number of hours worked in a week. According to the International Labour Organization, Bhutanese employees work an average of 54.4 hours a week, far exceeding the 38-hour average in the US.

• 61% of Bhutan's workforce works more than 48 hours a week.
• Overwork is especially common in the private sector.
• Family businesses, construction, transportation, and hospitality are the hardest hit.

Worker Experiences Highlight a Grim Reality

While Bhutan is often perceived as a tranquil paradise of mountains and temples, Bhutanese workers challenged that impression, expressing feelings of compulsion to devote most of their waking hours to work. A case in point is 22-year-old Ten Choezim, who shared her experience of working beyond her contracted 12-hour shift, often stretching to 16-hour days and regularly logging a staggering 112-hour week.

Choezim mentioned that working this kind of overtime is the norm, with some weeks featuring 16-hour shifts for three consecutive weeks without a day off.