Terekhov proposes introducing separate support for birth rates in frontline communities

Ukraine has begun paying increased state child benefits. Illustrative photo: Alex Pasarelu / Unsplash

For the frontline regions of Ukraine, they are proposing to introduce separate state support for the birth rate. This involves additional payments for the birth of a child and the expansion of social guarantees for mothers.

This was announced by the head of the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

According to Ihor Terekhov, the demographic situation in Ukraine remains difficult. Last year, 168,700 children were born in the country, while 485,200 people died. Thus, there are almost three deaths per newborn. At the same time, the birth rate is about one child per woman, although at least 2.1 is needed to reproduce the population.

The situation is even more complicated in frontline communities. Among the reasons are the evacuation of people, the mobilisation of men, destroyed housing and an unstable security situation.

«Today, having a child directly depends on a sense of security, stable income, affordable housing, quality healthcare, and open schools and kindergartens. In frontline regions, these conditions are extremely unstable. Therefore, the state must introduce a separate demographic package specifically for such territories,» emphasised Ihor Terekhov.

In view of this, the association proposes to introduce a frontline allowance to childbirth payments, automatically extend assistance to mothers in communities with high security risks, expand labour guarantees for mothers, including the right to flexible working hours and a ban on dismissal without alternative, and integrate psychological support for pregnant women and mothers into the primary healthcare system.

It should be noted that in 2025, more than 16,000 people died in the Mykolaiv region, while just over 4,000 children were born.

Back in the summer, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a bill on assistance to families before and after the birth of a child. The document provides for an increase in the one-time payment after childbirth — instead of 10,300 hryvnias, women will receive 50,000 hryvnias.