Armenian separatist regime's 'birth encouragement program' in Azerbaijan’s occupied territories fails

The New York Times published an article about the “birth encouragement program” realized by the Armenian separatist regime in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

The article reads that unemployment is high, salaries are low, opportunities are few in the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; the young continue to leave in search of better futures abroad.

“Since its introduction four years ago, the “birth encouragement program” has been credited for an increase in births, to 2,694 in 2010 from 2,145 in 2007. The program pays each couple about $780 at their wedding, and then an additional $260 for the first baby born, $520 for the second, $1,300 for the third and $1,820 for the fourth. Families with six or more children under the age of 18 are given a house. These payments are quite substantial in a region where the average monthly salary is $50,” the paper reported. 

“However, there are questions, yet to be answered, about the long-term effects of encouraging so many young women to become mothers. In a region as economically deprived as Nagorno-Karabakh, is the solution simply to increase the birthrate? Without first improving education, infrastructure and employment opportunities for future generations, and raising the standard of living, the children of today’s baby boom may grow up to leave in search of better lives abroad, just like the youths of today.”


/The New York Times/