Skopje, 4 July 2025 (MIA) - We are opening a process of inclusive dialogue to deal with negative demographic trends, a process that is not only a challenge for our country but also for a large part of EU countries and others in the world, said Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth Fatmir Limani.

Minister Limani announced financial assistance and tax exemptions in the function of national demographic policies.

"The challenges require a joint coordinated response, and therefore we are starting a constructive process to build the demographic resilience of our country. Demographic renewal must be comprehensive, covering population, migration, family housing, economic, social, tax and regional aspects. Our mission is clear, to build a country in which every young person sees a future, every elderly person feels cared for, and every citizen is part of the solution," Minister Limani said. 

He outlined some of the measures that the Ministry plans to introduce in the coming period.

"We plan to increase one-time financial support for a first child, drastically increase one-time financial support for a second child, introduce one-time financial support for twins. We plan to refund personal income tax, create an opportunity for every woman, regardless of her financial situation or the number of children, to receive six free IVF rounds, reduce waiting lists for kindergartens, tax exemption in the amount of EUR 30,000 for opening a private kindergarten, we commit to offering several types of ready-made projects for the construction of kindergartens, introduce educational assistants and professional associates in kindergartens, as well as other government measures," Limani said. 

National Coordinator for Demography, Youth and Human Resources, Vladimir Gjorchev, said demography is a priority of the Macedonian government. 

"Demography is the priority of this Government, and that is why for the coming period we are announcing measures that are relevant and relate to demography. We also want to hear suggestions because when thinking about the future we must not think only about the next two or three months, on the contrary we should think about the next 10, 20 or 30 years, and in that part the issue of demographic policies is crucial. In that sense, we are currently analysing the budgetary possibilities we have, the government program covers four years, and in terms of demographic policies there are two fundamental elements, i.e. reducing emigration and increasing fertility. In the part of reducing emigration we have a whole series of investments. Fortunately, this year in the first quarter Macedonia has the highest GDP growth in the region. In the part of assistance to families, it is important that families receive textbooks for their children on September 1, there will be opening of new kindergartens and other measures important for supporting families," Gjorchev said. 

Photo: MIA