On December 20, Minsk /BelTA/. Belarus is considering the possibility of introducing additional forms of support for families upon the birth of a second child. This was announced today by the Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, Anatoly Tozik, speaking at a joint session of both chambers of parliament, BelTA correspondent reports. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, a pilot project is planned for implementation in 2014-2015, within the framework of which additional forms of support for families upon the birth of a second child will be tested. "It is important to persuade young families to have a second child. In this regard, the possibility of additional forms of serious support for families upon the birth of a second child is being worked out," said Anatoly Tozik. "A family that ensures the preservation of the Belarusian people is a family with three children. We must strive for this by all means – financial, material, by solving the housing issue," he emphasized. "In Belarus, only 5% of families have three or more children, while 65% of families are raising one child." The Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus noted that issues of demographic development, family support, birth rate stimulation, and mortality reduction continue to remain extremely relevant. The country is observing an increase in the birth rate and a decrease in mortality from external causes. "These indicators are the most vivid confirmation of the effectiveness of social policy, the state of public consciousness, stability in society, and people's confidence in the future," he believes. For example, over the past five years, the total fertility rate in Belarus has increased from 1.25 to 1.51. In 2010, 108,050 children were born, in 2011 – 109,200 children, and in the ten months of the current year – 96,000 children (5,500 more children than in the same period last year). The number of deaths in January-October 2012 was 104,990 people, compared to 113,854 people in the same period of 2011. "At the same time, infant mortality has decreased to 3.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. This is a world-class indicator, which not all highly developed countries have achieved," emphasized Anatoly Tozik. In January-October 2010, the natural population decrease was 23,927 people, and in January-October 2012 – 9,165 people. Taking into account a slight migration increase, the population of Belarus decreased by 5,167 people in ten months of the current year, which is the best indicator over the last 20 years.