Solutions from Ukraine: Ukrainian government proposes ten-fold increase in childbirth assistance to boost demographic growth
Фото: Klanneke/Depositphotos
The proposed childbirth allowance would be raised by nearly ten times, potentially providing young parents with up to 400,000 hryvnias if the legislation is passed.
Rubryka writes about this with reference to draft law No. 11072, which is already registered on the website of the Verkhovna Rada [Ukrainian parliament – ed.].
What is the problem?
Recently, the birth rate in Ukraine has seen a noticeable decrease. Overall, in the last decade, Ukraine has seen a 40% decrease in its birth rate.
So, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, the births in communal, private, and departmental healthcare institutions are as follows:
- In 2020, there were 289,699 children born.
- In 2021, the number was 260,502 children.
- And 2022 saw the lowest figure in recent years, with 199,619 children born.
Based on operational data, the overall number of children who lost their lives in healthcare facilities due to injury, trauma, traffic accidents, or other accidents during hostilities and/or evacuation totals 294.
At the same time, according to the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, 535 children died as a result of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation.
There are several factors contributing to the decrease in the birth rate. Still, one of the main ones is the lack of support during childbirth, along with military actions on Ukrainian territory as a result of Russia's terrorist aggression.
What is the solution?
Childbirth allowance is proposed to be increased almost ten times. If the bill is approved, young parents will be able to receive up to 400,000 hryvnias.
Deputies explain that thanks to the amount of birth allowance, the government plans to improve the socio-demographic situation in Ukraine and the financial situation of families with children.
How will it work?
The amount of assistance at a child's birth (adoption) will depend on the subsistence minimum for children under the age of 6, established at the time of the birth. As of January 1, 2024, this amount is 2,563 hryvnias.
If the draft law is adopted, the aid will amount to:
- for the first child: will be equal to the amount multiplied by 150 of the subsistence minimum – 384.5 thousand hryvnias
- for the second child: a multiple of 100 of the subsistence minimum – 256.3 thousand hryvnias
- For the third and each subsequent child, a multiple of 50 of the subsistence minimum is 128.2 thousand hryvnias.
However, all assistance will not be paid at once. At the birth of a child, a one-time amount equal to 20 times the subsistence minimum will be charged – this is 51.2 thousand hryvnias.
The rest of the amount will be paid in equal parts over the next 36 months.
The draft law also stipulates the provision of one-time assistance, a "Baby package," no later than 30 days after the child's birthday. Currently, the cost of the "Baby Package" is 7,689 hryvnias, and it includes goods that are necessary for the first months of a newborn baby's life:
- reusable moisture-resistant diapers,
- warm clothing,
- plaid blanket and others.
It is worth noting that now the amount of state assistance at the birth of a child is 41,280 hryvnias, regardless of the number of children in the family.
Parents receive 10,320 hryvnias immediately, and the rest – 860 hryvnias each month for 36 months. This norm has not been revised for almost ten years.
For reference:
It should be noted that UNICEF created a series of videos, "Play and do not be afraid," to overcome stress in children aged 2-6 during air raids.
