Kochanova: demographic policy issues under constant control of Belarus’ President

Demographic security is an important aspect of effective socio-economic development of any state – as noted by Natalya Kochanova, the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic, at an off-site meeting of the expert advisory council of the Presidium of the Council of the Republic

“In Belarus, demographic policy issues, including the development of human capital, family support, protection of motherhood, fatherhood and childhood, are under constant control of the Head of State,” Ms. Kochanova said. “In his Address to the Belarusian People and National Assembly of Belarus on March 31st, 2023, our President stressed, “In order to stand firmly on our land, there must be much more of us, Belarusians. This is the most important condition of sovereignty, and the state is doing a lot to ensure it.”

According to Ms. Kochanova, the People's Health and Demographic Security state programme of 2021-2025 envisages a range of activities, which are aimed at improving health, increasing the birth rate and life expectancy, forming a healthy lifestyle, orienting the educational process towards family values, strengthening the prestige of a large family, and improving Belarusians’ socio-economic living conditions.

“Currently, a large-scale package of measures to support families is being implemented in the Republic of Belarus,” the Speaker of the Council of the Republic stated. “They include a paid leave to care for a child under the age of three, various allowances, subsidies for multiple-child families, benefits and guarantees in the field of labour relations. Among these measures there are also pension allowances, provision of housing for large families as a matter of priority, subsidised or free meals at schools, benefits for paying for the use of textbooks and teaching aids, the priority place in a university dormitory, tax and other benefits.”