In Belarus, almost 90,000 families are raising three or more children

As of April 1 this year, 89,964 families with three or more minor children were registered with territorial social service centres in Belarus, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection informed a BELTA correspondent.

On May 15, Belarus, along with other countries, celebrates the International Day of Families. This holiday is aimed at drawing attention to family issues and its value for the sustainable development of society.

Last year, 117.8 thousand children were born in the country, of which 48.5 thousand (41.2%) were first-borns. The proportion of second-born children in the total number of births increased from 36.1% in 2010 to 39.9% in 2016, and third and subsequent children from 11.6% to 18.9%.

According to the population census, about 2.7 million families live in the republic, of which 1.2 million (almost 45%) have children under 18 years of age. As of January 1, 2017, the population of the republic was 9,504.7 thousand people, including 4,425.5 thousand men and 5,078.2 thousand women. There were 2,785.4 thousand children under 18 years of age.

The republic is characterised by an increasing trend in the average age of women at first marriage and childbirth. While in 2000 women married for the first time at the age of 22.8 and men at 25, in 2016 the average age of women entering their first marriage was 25.6 years, and men – 27.8 years. The average age of mothers at childbirth in 2016 was 28.9 years, and at the birth of the first child – 26.3 years (in 2000 – 25.6 and 23.3 years, respectively).

There is a slight decrease in the number of divorces, accompanied by a decrease in the number of marriages registered. In 2016, 64.5 thousand marriages were concluded (82 thousand in 2015), and 32.6 thousand divorces were registered (32.9 thousand in 2015). The marriage rate was 6.8 per 1,000 inhabitants, and the divorce rate was 3.4.

According to Belstat, an increase in the birth rate among women in registered marriages (86.7% in 2016, 80.4% in 2010) indicates a strengthening of marital and family relations.

Belarus has a stable legal and socio-economic system in place to support families upon the birth and upbringing of children. Families raising children are eligible for 11 types of benefits. Due to the growth in average wages for employees in the republic, as well as changes in the subsistence minimum budget (SMB), state benefits for families raising children are recalculated quarterly.

Additional payments are also made upon the birth of twins or more children to purchase essential baby items. In 2016, over Br865.5 thousand was allocated from local budgets for these purposes.

The social services system is developing in line with the interests of families. The draft law "On Social Services" has been adopted by parliament in the first reading, which provides for granting local authorities broader powers to provide social services to families depending on their specific life circumstances.

For low-income families and families in difficult life situations, a system of state targeted social assistance is in place: this includes monthly and one-time social benefits, free provision of food for young children, technical rehabilitation means, etc.

In Belarus, since 1996, the Order of Motherhood has been awarded to 8,667 women who have successfully raised five or more children. This high state award has been granted to 141 mothers of large families this year.

News of Belarus (BELTA)