The Ukrainian government has approved a draft law aimed at increasing the one-time payment to women after giving birth from Hr.10,300 to Hr.50,000 (from $246 to $1,190).
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who reported the boost on his Telegram channel, said women without work experience will also receive more support after giving birth. Currently, they receive less than Hr. 1,000 per month ($23.6). The new law would raise this amount to Hr. 7,000 ($167).
A monthly payment is also planned for single parents or guardians, covering childcare until the child turns one. The government will set the exact amount separately, according to Shmyhal.
In October 2024, Kyiv approved a policy document that outlines plans to increase the birth rate, reduce premature mortality and return almost five million Ukrainian refugees who fled the country following Russia’s 2022 invasion.
The Strategy of Demographic Development of Ukraine until 2040, developed by the Ministry of Social Policy, is one of the first government-developed policies to outline Ukraine’s plans to address its growing demographic crisis, which includes a rapid decline in its workforce.
Ukraine plans to launch another initiative aimed at supporting young parents known as the “eJasla” (eNursery) program. When a child turns one, parents can choose to return to work or stay home until the child is three.
Those who return to work will receive Hr.8,000 per month ($190), while those who stay home will have their social contributions paid by the state.
The government will also keep the “baby box” program. Families can choose between a package of goods or a cash compensation of over Hr. 7,500 ($179).
Additionally, families will receive a “school package” – Hr.5,000 ($119.3) for each first-grade student to buy school supplies, Shmyhal wrote.
Ukraine’s dwindling birth rate, population post-invasion
Ukraine’s fertility rate decreased from 1.5 in 2012 to 1.22 before COVID-19 in 2020. The demographic strategy aims to return the figure to 1.5 by 2040, as previously reported by Kyiv Post.
Without an action plan, Ukraine’s population is forecasted to decrease to 29 million by 2041 and 25 million by 2051.
The strategy document also estimated Ukraine’s population to be 31 million in government-controlled territories and 35 million within the entirety of its internationally recognized 1991 borders, part of which are illegally occupied by Russia.
However, the strategy is intended to be a vision with forecasted goals, rather than a detailed instruction on how to achieve the objectives.