Bali to introduce incentives to preserve traditional naming customs

The Bali provincial government is developing incentives to support third and fourth children in families to address demographic shifts and preserve traditional Balinese naming customs. As family sizes decrease, names associated with later birth orders, such as Nyoman, Komang, and Ketut, are becoming less frequent in the population.

Funding for this initiative has been included in Bali’s revised 2026 regional budget. The program aims to provide support across education, healthcare, and social welfare, with an initial priority placed on lower-income families. Governor Wayan Koster noted that names like Nyoman and Ketut represent approximately 19 percent and 6 percent of the population, respectively, highlighting the decline in third and fourth births. Proposed assistance may include nutritional support for mothers and children during pregnancy and ongoing educational aid.