Press releases

13 Aug 2026

One in four children in Belarus now raised in large families

An archive photo

MINSK, 13 August (BelTA) - In Belarus, one in four children is growing up in a large family, Deputy Labor and Social Protection Minister Yuliya Berdnikova told a briefing on 13 August, BelTA has learned.

There are over 120,000 large families in the country. Yuliya Berdnikova emphasized that the support measures provided to such families are contributing to their growing numbers. “A significant progress can be observed. For example, in 2009, there were only 65,000 large families. Today, one in four children is growing up and being raised in a large family. Such families have a special atmosphere. They are characterized by friendship, cohesion, and mutual support,” she said.

Brest Oblast ranks first in the number of large families, followed by Minsk Oblast, with Gomel Oblast in third place. According to Yuliya Berdnikova, large families have been elevated to the level of a national value. Support measures for large families are multifaceted, with one of the key initiatives being the Family Capital program. This year, the Family Capital amount is Br35,500. “When a third or subsequent child is born, a deposit account is opened, and the state transfers the funds to it. With the birth of a child, families often need to improve their housing conditions. The Family Capital can be used early to address housing issues. This measure is popular: 80% of large families have used the Family Capital funds to improve their housing conditions. The use of Family Capital for education and healthcare services is also in high demand,” the deputy minister said.

In addition, families receive a one-time allowance at the birth of the first child equivalent to 10 minimum subsistence budgets, approximately Br5,300. The one-time allowance for the second and subsequent children is Br7,400. The monthly childcare allowance for children under 3 is about Br1,000 for the first child and approximately Br1,200 for the second and subsequent children. If a family is raising more than one child, an additional allowance of 50% of the minimum subsistence budget is paid for the older children.

Yuliya Berdnikova recalled that support measures for large families include preferential terms for housing construction and improvement, children’s health and spa rehabilitation services, free medications for children under 3, and various labor and pension guarantees. Support measures related to school preparation are also important. Before the new academic year, large families receive a one-time financial assistance of 30% of the minimum subsistence budget for each school-age child - nearly Br159 per child. “This year, over 112,000 large families with 230,000 school-age children will receive the one-time financial assistance. Around Br39 million have been allocated for these purposes,” the deputy minister said.

State support measures are adapted to the needs of modern society. “Starting a family is a responsible step. Young people are now postponing this milestone event, seeking to establish themselves professionally first. The Labor Code has been adapted to these needs, offering employees remote and hybrid work options. In addition, preschool institutions provide parents with opportunities to combine work with raising children. Groups for children under two years old are being actively opened, and more than 500 such groups have been opened in the first half of this year,” Yuliya Berdnikova added.



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