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Bhutan Offers Cash Incentives for More Babies
6 Jun
Summary
- Bhutan offers 10,000 ngultrums monthly for third children.
- Annual births fell by 26% from 2015 to 2024.
- Young Bhutanese seek opportunities abroad amid economic unhappiness.
The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is introducing financial incentives to boost its declining birth rate. Families will receive 10,000 ngultrums (approximately $105) monthly for each child born from their third child onwards, effective June 4, 2026. This incentive will also apply to eligible children born before this date who have not yet reached three years of age.
The initiative comes as Bhutan faces a concerning demographic trend. Official data indicates a 26% decrease in total annual births from 11,001 in 2015 to 8,153 in 2024. Concurrently, the total fertility rate has approached the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman.
Government officials attribute the demographic challenges partly to outward migration, with many young Bhutanese seeking economic opportunities internationally, particularly in Australia. This policy underscores the government's commitment to population sustainability and family welfare, aiming to secure the nation's workforce and socio-economic future.
