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Aliaksandr Lukashenka wants the government to find a formula that will revive demographic processes. He had previously sought a formula for a fair price. A legal act concerning childcare benefit payments was brought before Lukashenka at a meeting today.
Addressing the issue, he noted that when children are born, families receive one-time payments of about 5,000 rubles for a first child and more than 7,000 rubles for subsequent children. There is also a monthly allowance of about 1,000 rubles and family capital.
“It would seem: have children! Children are fully supported by the state. But the modern world has become too pragmatic. Young people first seek to resolve other issues – education, career, something else, and only then have children”, Lukashenka said, according to his press service.
He recalled that birth rates were higher 10 years ago, although the population’s standard of living was lower. In 2015, 120,000 children were born, compared with 55,000 last year. At the same time, GDP per capita rose from $18,000 to $35,000.
Lukashenka wants the government to develop a formula to boost demographic growth.
“So that we do not disappear as a nation and there are people to work, it is as simple as two plus two: two parents – two children. This is the baseline, as young people say. And preferably three or more. Therefore, at the state level, we need to find an effective formula that, first, will revive demographic processes. Second, it will motivate conscious motherhood and fatherhood and make them a fashionable trend. Then we will preserve and increase our population”, he said.
According to him, the government proposes to review measures of state support for families.
“Is there a guarantee that expanding financial incentives will actually give a boost to the birth rate?” he asked.
Lukashenka also asked about international experience, the long-term effects of the measures and their impact on the budget.