Lukashenko backs income-based childcare benefit for under-3s
11.08.2026
MINSK (
BelTA) – The childcare benefit for children up to age three will be linked to the recipient’s actual income. This proposal was discussed at a meeting between Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and top officials of the Council of Ministers and was supported by the head of state, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Andrei Lobovich told journalists following the meeting, BelTA reports.
The minister explained that demographic trends have shifted significantly in recent years. The age of first marriage in Belarus is now four years higher than it was 25 years ago. Women are having their first child at an average age of 27.5. “This is despite the extensive system of state support for families with children,” he noted. Therefore, he said, experts have identified the single most important financial factor for families when a child is born and this is the childcare benefit for children up to age three.
“The government proposed to the head of state that the approach to determining the size of the childcare benefit for children up to age three be revised. These amounts are currently the same for all benefit recipients and do not depend on the recipient’s real income. We propose changing this system and calculating the benefit amount based on the recipient’s actual income. At the same time, the current minimum guarantee will be preserved; the lower threshold will not fall below the existing benefit amount. The maximum amount will be capped at the national average salary,” the minister explained.
Andrei Lobovich emphasized that in the future, the size of this benefit will not decrease for anyone. However, for those who had a relatively high salary before going on maternity leave, the benefit could increase up to the national average wage.
For example, the childcare benefit for a first child up to age three currently stands at Br1,057.70 as of 1 August, which is 35 % of the average salary for the second quarter of 2026. The nominal average salary in Belarus in June 2026 was Br3,104.10.
The proposed changes, according to the minister, are intended to ease concerns, especially among working women, about a drop in income when they take childcare leave and lose their salary.
Andrei Lobovich did not specify the exact percentage of wages that would be used to calculate the benefit amount. That will be determined during the preparation of the document that will codify the changes – the bill on benefits.
“We will try to submit it to parliament quickly during the autumn session, with the aim of passing it in two readings. If we manage to meet the timeline, the changes will take effect in January 2027,” the minister informed.
When asked whether the budget could cover the proposed changes, he answered in the affirmative.
The minister explained that demographic trends have shifted significantly in recent years. The age of first marriage in Belarus is now four years higher than it was 25 years ago. Women are having their first child at an average age of 27.5. “This is despite the extensive system of state support for families with children,” he noted. Therefore, he said, experts have identified the single most important financial factor for families when a child is born and this is the childcare benefit for children up to age three.
“The government proposed to the head of state that the approach to determining the size of the childcare benefit for children up to age three be revised. These amounts are currently the same for all benefit recipients and do not depend on the recipient’s real income. We propose changing this system and calculating the benefit amount based on the recipient’s actual income. At the same time, the current minimum guarantee will be preserved; the lower threshold will not fall below the existing benefit amount. The maximum amount will be capped at the national average salary,” the minister explained.
Andrei Lobovich emphasized that in the future, the size of this benefit will not decrease for anyone. However, for those who had a relatively high salary before going on maternity leave, the benefit could increase up to the national average wage.
For example, the childcare benefit for a first child up to age three currently stands at Br1,057.70 as of 1 August, which is 35 % of the average salary for the second quarter of 2026. The nominal average salary in Belarus in June 2026 was Br3,104.10.
The proposed changes, according to the minister, are intended to ease concerns, especially among working women, about a drop in income when they take childcare leave and lose their salary.
Andrei Lobovich did not specify the exact percentage of wages that would be used to calculate the benefit amount. That will be determined during the preparation of the document that will codify the changes – the bill on benefits.
“We will try to submit it to parliament quickly during the autumn session, with the aim of passing it in two readings. If we manage to meet the timeline, the changes will take effect in January 2027,” the minister informed.
When asked whether the budget could cover the proposed changes, he answered in the affirmative.