Minister: Social expenditures to remain key priority next year

In 2026, 41% of Azerbaijan's state budget expenditures and 68% of current expenditures – amounting to 17.1 billion manats (just over $10 billion) – will fall to social spending, according to the country's Finance Minister Sahil Babayev, Report informs.

"This is 2.5 billion manats, or 17%, more compared to the figures of 2024. Thus, in 2026, social expenditures will remain among the main priorities," Babayev stated during the first reading of the draft law on the State Budget for 2026 at today's plenary meeting of the Milli Majlis.

The minister added that compared to the medium‑term budget period, i.e., 2022, social expenditures will be 5.6 billion manats (approximately $3.3 billion) or 48% higher:

"For strengthening social protection of the population, 4.9 billion manats (just over $2.88 billion) are planned in next year's budget. This is 121 million manats (approximately $71.2 million) more than in 2025, and 722 million manats ($424.7 million) more compared to the execution figures of 2024. Over the four‑year medium‑term period, these expenditures have increased by 41%."

He also stated that social benefits, pensions, and other social payments are projected at 2.8 billion manats (nearly $1.65 billion), which is 151 million manats ($88.8 million) more than the current year. Another important direction of social policy, expenditures for the social protection of internally displaced persons, are forecast at 285 million manats ($167.6 million) next year.