Bhutan votes as economic strife hits 'national happiness'

Both parties contesting are committed to a constitutionally enshrined philosophy of a government that measures its success by the "happiness and well-being of the people". Foremost in the minds of many are the struggles facing the kingdom's younger generation, with chronic youth unemployment and a brain drain. Bhutan's youth unemployment rate stands at 29 per cent, according to the World Bank, while economic growth has sputtered along at an average of 1.7 per cent over the past five years.