Happiness as a Measure of National Development: Insights from the Emergence and Abandonment of the Philippine Happiness Index

Driven by the global Beyond GDP initiative, happiness has increasingly been recognized as an alternative measure of societal progress. In response the Philippines developed the Philippine Happiness Index (PHI) as a complementary metric of national development in 2007. Using the multiple streams framework, this study examines the PHI’s emergence, development, and eventual abandonment. Findings show that while the PHI addressed the need for a more holistic development metric, methodological and resource limitations, weak political and public support, and the absence of a sustained policy window constrained its institutionalization. The PHI illustrates the challenges of institutionalizing well-being metrics in developing countries.