One-Time Birth Grant for All Children Set at 500,000 AMD: Initiative Passed in First Reading

The government has proposed amendments to the laws on "State Benefits" and "State Pensions." The issue was discussed in the National Assembly's extraordinary session and passed in the first reading.

The proposal aims to establish state support for families with a third child and each subsequent child. According to Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs David Khachatryan, the program has shown positive results. In 2018, approximately 8,300 third and subsequent children were born in families, while this number increased to over 12,400 in 2023 and is projected to reach 12,000 in 2024. "We have seen a 45 percent increase and an annual average growth rate of 7 percent," Khachatryan noted.

The second proposal pertains to the one-time birth grant. "Since the support program for families with a third and subsequent child is becoming a state benefit, we propose to standardize the amounts for one-time birth grants. Currently, the amount for the first and second children is 300,000 AMD, while for the third and fourth children it is 1 million AMD, and for the fifth and each subsequent child, it is 1.5 million AMD. We propose to set the same amount for all children at 500,000 AMD," emphasized David Khachatryan.

It is expected that the one-time birth grant and benefits for the third and each subsequent child will be available provided the child is a citizen of Armenia. The citizenship requirement is proposed to take effect starting January 1, 2026, while the standardization measure is suggested to start from September 1, 2026.

The next proposal relates to the payment of state benefits and pensions. The government will be empowered to regulate the method and procedure for payments. This refers to completely cashless payments for pensions and benefits, which will take effect from April 1, 2026. "More than 660,000 pensioners and beneficiaries are currently receiving benefits, of which about 58,000 receive them in cash. The Government will establish smooth transition mechanisms for them," the deputy minister informed.

Zaruhi Batoyan, a member of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Labor and Social Affairs, presented the committee's positive conclusion. The rapporteur expressed that the budget allocation is being implemented through state policy. According to the MP, international experience shows that families need support mainly for the first child. Currently, 300,000 AMD is allocated for the first and second children, and it is proposed to make this amount 500,000 AMD for everyone.

Regarding cashless payments, Zaruhi Batoyan expressed that services and programs should be designed to make the cashless payment process accessible to all citizens.

Member of the "Armenia" faction Tadevos Avetisyan labeled the change as anti-social, noting that the demographic situation in the country is worsening. According to him, a child born today and a child born after September 2026 will receive significantly different monetary support from the state, which he believes is incorrect.

Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly Hakob Arshakyan commented on recent programs aimed at boosting birth rates and highlighted this initiative in that context. During the Q&A and speech format, a proposal was made that citizens who change their children's citizenship return the funds received from the state. There was discussion regarding the social component of the regulation, the issues relating to pensioners and beneficiaries from vulnerable groups receiving their pensions and benefits cashlessly.

It was stated that reports claiming that from January 2026, pensioners would have to liquidate their cashless pensions are inaccurate.

In his closing remarks, Deputy Minister David Khachatryan emphasized that demographic programs are aimed at families with children and are not conditioned by family status, encouraging families from the state.

The discussed initiative has passed in the first reading.