Minister Rafalska presented the ‘Family 500 plus’ programme in the Sejm

“We propose a systematic, groundbreaking solution to the family policy problems,” said Minister Elżbieta Rafalska presenting the draft Act on state aid in raising children Family 500 plus in the Sejm. “This is the proof of care for the well-being of Polish children and the desire to overcome the demographic crisis.”

“A wise country supports the family,” Minister Rafalska added. Law and Justice had to face a critical demographic situation. In this area, we occupy the 216th places in the world out of 224 countries. In 2014, the fertility rate in Poland was 1.29. In 2050, there will be 34 million of Poles and we will be an ageing society. An additional problem is the emigration of young people. According to recent research, 2.3-2.7 million people have left the country.

The expected effects of the programme include an increase in the fertility rate, investment in human capital and reduction of poverty among the youngest. “Poverty among Poles may decrease by 3 per cent, and the risk of poverty among children under the age of 17 decreases from 23.3 per cent to 11 per cent,” Minister Rafalska estimated. The forecasts indicate that money will go mostly to 30 per cent of the poorest families. “Family policy is an investment. Poles will invest in children, who will be better educated and treated.”

It will be a long-term programme because only such policy produces results. Every second and subsequent child will receive PLN 500 per month for 10 years, and the first child – after satisfying the income criterion of PLN 800 and PLN 1200 in a family with a disabled child. “The cost of raising one child is about PLN 180 thousand. Parents will receive PLN 110,000 from our programme. We have not had such a broad support programme after 1989,” Minister Rafalska noted.

Minister Rafalska presented... Minister Rafalska presented... Minister Rafalska presented...