The implementation of the next social reform package, covering 3 million people, begins with the new decree

Another Social Reform Package from President Ilham Aliyev

New increases will be made in salaries, pensions, allowances, and scholarships.

The decree signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on December 23, 2024, titled "Continuing Measures for Improving the Social Welfare of the Population," once again demonstrates that the principle of ensuring citizens' well-being is at the core of the president’s policies and that the ongoing social reforms are being successfully continued to achieve this goal.

According to the decree:

• Starting from January 1, 2025, the minimum monthly wage in the country will increase by 16% from 345 manat to 400 manat.
• Starting from February 1, 2025, the minimum pension amount will rise by 14.3%, from 280 manat to 320 manat.

With these increases, the minimum monthly wage has risen 3.1 times, and the minimum pension has increased by up to 3 times since the beginning of 2018.

The New Social Reform Package Also Includes Increases in Other Social Payments

The decree also stipulates that other social payments will be increased. According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers will submit proposals to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan within three months next year regarding the increase in social allowances and pensions.

Between 2018 and 2024, there has been a fivefold increase in allowance and pension payments, and as seen, this upward trend will continue next year.

Additionally, the decree requires the Cabinet of Ministers to ensure that the monthly salaries (wages) in government-funded sectors are adjusted to align with the newly increased minimum monthly wage.

Thus, in these sectors (social services, science, education, healthcare, culture, youth, sports, agriculture, ecology, environmental protection, housing and utilities, transport, communication, irrigation, water management, etc.), the salary in the first level of the Unified Tariff Schedule, consisting of 19 levels, will be raised to 400 AZN. Corresponding salary increases will also be applied in the other levels.

The new social reform package, which has started its implementation with this decree, will cover 3 million people in total. The increased payments for wages, pensions, allowances, and scholarships will be directed to these individuals. For these increases, an additional 1.4 billion manat will be allocated annually.