The amount of the one-time child birth allowance in Belarus will be doubled

March 3, Minsk / Nadezhda Radivon - BELTA /. The lump-sum benefit for the birth of a child will double. This was announced today by the Chairperson of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for Education, Science, Culture and Social Development, Co-Chairperson of the NGO "Belarusian Women's Union" Antonina Morova during an online conference on the BELTA website. She noted that the state will strengthen the material component of family support. In addition to increasing the lump-sum benefit, it is planned to increase the benefit for childcare up to three years of age - it will amount to 35-40% of the average wage in the republic. By the way, since February 1 of the current year, the monthly childcare benefit until the child reaches the age of three years is Br296 thousand 870. "Increasing the amount of this benefit to the subsistence minimum per capita is a very good achievement," said Antonina Morova. Assistance will also be provided to large families in solving housing problems. Those in need will be supported in repaying preferential loans: families raising three minor children - up to 75%, four or more - 100%. In general, Belarus is currently experiencing a slowdown in the birth rate, which is due to objective reasons - the number of women of childbearing age (15-49 years) is decreasing. "In 2005-2009, there was the highest proportion of women of childbearing age, and we tried to 'press all the pedals' to increase the birth rate. And we managed to use the demographic chance. Now, for objective reasons, there will be some decline in the birth rate, and one should calmly accept this," noted Antonina Morova.-0-