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12 May 2016

Belarus ranks 25th on Mothers’ Index

Belarus ranks 25th on Mothers’ Index

MINSK, 12 May (BelTA) – Belarus ranks 25th among 179 countries around the world on the Mothers’ Index, and first among the CIS countries, Marina Artemenko, deputy head of the population, gender and family policy department of the Labor and Social Security Ministry, told a press conference, BelTA has learned.

Despite the difficult economic situation, the government keeps its social commitments to support families with children, since this is of great importance for the future socio-economic and demographic situation in the country. Particularly important measures have been taken in recent years as the national demographic security program has been implemented. Allowances for childcare have been increasing; additional forms of material support for families have been introduced are a wide range of social services provided.

Thus, 11 types of benefits are assigned for the birth and upbringing of children in Belarus. The allowance in connection with the birth of the first child equals 10 subsistence wages (Br16.994 million). For the birth of the second child the government gives 14 subsistence wages (Br23.792 million). Until a child reaches 3, the allowance makes up 35-40% of the average wage in the country, regardless of whether a woman has an insurance or not.

Allowances are paid to 541,500 children (30.3% of the total number of children), while the coverage is virtually 100% for children under 3.

The system of support for large families has been strengthened with the new program Family Capital which was introduced in 2015. This is a one-time non-cash payment in the amount of $10,000 given at birth or adoption of a third or subsequent children.

As of 1 April 2016 the population of Belarus was 9,498,700. There are about 2.7 million families, of which 1.2 million (almost 45%) have children under the age of 18.

Belarus traditionally celebrates the International Day of Families on 15 May. This day demonstrates that family gets huge attention all over the world, and that traditional family values remain intact. This year the day’s motor is Families, Healthy Lives and Sustainable Future.

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