9.7 million euros for babies/7-month-olds, an increase compared to a year ago
In the first 7 months of the year, the state budget has distributed 900 million lek, or 9.7 million euros, for babies born during this period.
Official data from the Ministry of Finance show that in January-July, there was an increase in the fund disbursed for fertility promotion, by about 3.2 million euros more than the same period a year ago, however, a decrease of 6.9% compared to the plan.
However, if we look at how disbursements have progressed for the same period compared to previous years, a drastic decline is noted in the 7-month period, during the years 2019-2024, where disbursements ranged from 1.1 billion lek to 1.7 billion lek.
These figures are also related to the declining fertility trend of the population, which is leading the country towards rapid aging.
This is also confirmed by INSTAT data. According to official data, in the first 6 months of 2026, 10,229 children were born, down from 10,337 in the first half of last year, or 108 children fewer.
This trend will also continue to deal an even greater blow to the labor market, the pension scheme, and the country's economic development.
The birth bonus has been established in the form of immediate financial assistance for parents with newborn babies since 2019. The assistance provided is 40 thousand lek for the birth of the first baby; 80 thousand lek for the birth of the second baby; and 120 thousand lek for the birth of the third baby and subsequent babies.
For parents who give birth to twins, the benefit amount is 80 thousand lek for each baby, while for parents who give birth to more than two babies born at the same time, the benefit amount is 120 thousand lek for each baby.
The bonus is received immediately after the parents register the newborn in the civil registry for all families that have children, regardless of socio-economic status.
Children born abroad are excluded from the right to benefit from it. The total fund is estimated at around 2.3 billion lek this year. Meanwhile, the government is expected to draft a new package, of which there are still no details.
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