3 March, Minsk /Nadezhda Radivon - BELTA/. The lump-sum child benefit will be doubled. This was announced today by Antonina Morova, Chairperson of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for Education, Science, Culture and Social Development, Co-Chairperson of the NGO "Belarusian Union of Women", 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 up 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 amounts to Br296 thousand 870. "Increasing this benefit to the subsistence minimum budget 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 fertile age (aged 15-49) is decreasing. "In 2005-2009, there was the highest proportion of women of childbearing age, and we tried to 'step on all pedals' to increase the birth rate. And we managed to use the demographic chance. Now, for objective reasons, there will be some decrease in the birth rate, and one should remain calm about it," noted Antonina Morova.-0-

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