State Budget-2026: expenditures on social support will increase to almost 5 billion manats

In the draft budget-2026, special emphasis is placed on the growth of expenditures related to the implementation of social protection measures for the population. First of all, we are talking about the reassessment of labor pensions from January, as well as an increase in the subsistence minimum and the need criterion, writes the newspaper "Caspian".

Concern for the welfare of citizens remains the main guideline of our economic policy. A vivid illustration of this is the draft state budget for next year. The authorities are strengthening financial support for social programs wherever possible. From January, labor pensions are expected to increase. The subsistence minimum and the need criterion will rise to 300 manats - these are social norms responsible for state assistance to low-income families.

More support

These indicators determine how many families can count on support and how significant it will be. The minimum consumer basket and the need criterion are two closely related indicators. They determine which citizens can count on state support, explains deputy and expert Vugar Bayramov:

- The higher the threshold of need, the more families fall under assistance programs, and payments become more tangible, - says the parliamentarian. - In essence, raising these parameters indicates that the state intends to strengthen social protection and make assistance truly targeted. The system works quite simply. For example, a hypothetical family of five today lives on 900 manats per month. According to the current need criterion - 285 manats per person - the state believes that such a unit of society needs 1,425 manats to adequately cover basic expenses.

The budget compensates the difference of 525 manats - this is targeted social assistance. From the new year, the calculation will change: with the new criterion of 300 manats, the amount of support will increase to 600 manats. So even with the same income, the family will receive 75 manats more monthly. Thus, raising the need criterion makes the assistance system more flexible and fair, with a focus on people's real needs.

According to V. Bayramov, currently 353.3 thousand people from 80.3 thousand families receive targeted assistance from the state. And after increasing this norm, the circle of recipients will expand. Even more low-income families will be able to count on state support - this will help increase the level of protection for the most vulnerable segments of the population.

Social emphasis

Traditionally, citizens, especially the older generation, are concerned about social support expenses. They remain a government priority, and in the coming year, more funds are provided for social protection of the population than in the current one. Expenses under this state treasury item will increase by 121.2 million manats and reach 4.87 billion - 2.6% more than in this year's budget. Compared to the year before last, this budget line will grow by 17.4%.

According to the financial plan being prepared now, the smallest salary and pension in the new year will not change. They will remain at the level established at the beginning of this year. Recall that since February, the starting pension in Azerbaijan was 320 manats, and the minimum wage increased to 400 AZN. However, the final decision may be revised, and the fate of the "minimum" may become clearer later. But labor pensions will definitely rise from the new year. The exact percentage increase will be known in January, after the publication of data on average wage growth. However, preliminarily, an increase in the average payment of approximately 7.9% is expected - to 579.2