The government’s Nu 10,000 cash incentive for families having a third child has been put on hold. The cabinet has stated that a cash incentive alone is too narrow a solution to address the country’s complex demographic challenges. It has instead directed that a comprehensive demographic study be conducted before implementing any interventions. The study will examine fertility trends, marriage patterns, migration dynamics, and other related factors affecting population growth.
During the Meet the Press Session yesterday, speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary Dasho Kesang Deki said that the strategy must go beyond simply paying for children, adding that it must focus on building a nation where young people feel confident enough about their future to start a family in the first place.
Dasho Kesang Deki, Cabinet Secretary said, “The focus is shifting from a single policy to a sustainable population strategy. So, what are we working on is, we are trying to look at economic stability, that is prioritising job creation, youth retention, so staying in Bhutan is a viable financial choice, support system like robust childcare, gender-responsive policies that make it easier for working parents to balance career and family. Then we also have social protection, that is reforming human capital development to ensure that our small workforce is highly skilled and productive.”
While the government says more research is needed before implementing the third-child incentive scheme, some residents say they are uncertain about when or whether the support will be provided with some saying the rising cost of living is already discouraging families from having more children.
Pema Tshezom, a mother of three said,“When the scheme was announced, I thought it was ready to be implemented. I don’t think further studies are necessary, as I believe studies should have already been completed. My third child is now three years old, and initially my friends told me that I would be eligible for the Nu 10,000 monthly incentive.”
Sashi Ghalley, a mother of four said, “We heard that mothers with a third child would receive Nu 10,000 a month. However, the scheme keeps getting postponed, and even those who are eligible have not received the incentive yet. We have four children, so we are not eligible, but even those who qualify are still waiting.”
Likewise, Maya Rana, a mother of two said, “When we inquired about our eligibility, we were told that those with business licences or government jobs, who are able to support themselves, are not eligible. With daily expenses rising due to inflation, it is difficult for us to even think about planning for a third child.”
Zekomo from Tseza Gewog, Dagana said, “In the past, the cost of living was manageable. Raising eight to ten children was also doable. But now, the price of everything is rising. If we give birth to more children, there are chances that we won’t be able to raise them well.”
The programme, one of the prominent pledges of the government during election campaigns, intends to provide Nu 10,000 per month to families for their third and subsequent children until the child attains three years. The government announced it as a measure to encourage Bhutanese families to have more children as the country witnesses a decline in population due to low fertility rates and increased migration.
Phub Gyem/Kelzang Chhophyel
