The first payments will begin on July 1, 2026. The Ministry of Social Policy promises to publish information about the necessary documents and the process for receiving the benefit in the near future.
"We are working on the mechanisms for implementing the payments in cooperation with other government agencies and 'Tunduk'," the ministry reported, noting that the entire process will be available online, eliminating the need to visit government institutions.
What purchases can be made with 1,200 soms?
To find out how the new assistance can be spent, we visited the Osh market in Bishkek. Here, children's overalls start at 600 soms, while higher-quality models cost around 1,500 soms. Pants for newborns can be purchased for 150 soms, and hats will cost about 80–100 soms.Prices for diapers vary depending on the brand and size: a pack of 36 pieces costs approximately 450 soms, while a pack of 48 pieces is around 1,300 soms.
In one pharmacy, the price of baby formula ranges from 500 to 900 soms depending on the packaging. More expensive brands can cost up to 2,500 soms per can.
What are parents' expenses for one child?
Parents assess their expenses for children differently. Some claim to spend about 2,000 soms a month on diapers for a three-month-old baby, while others indicate that their expenses can exceed 100,000 soms a month, including not only food and clothing but also nanny services, toys, outings, and medical supplies.Why do all children receive the benefit without exception?
President Sadyr Japarov explained that the decision to introduce the payment was made in response to citizens' appeals aimed at supporting families with young children and reducing child poverty.He also warned of possible abuses but noted that the benefit should be accessible to every child.
"We prefer that the state pays a little extra benefits to those who do not need it as urgently, rather than leaving one truly needy child without assistance," the president emphasized.
Experts' opinions
Nazgul Turdubekova, founder of the NGO "League of Child Rights Defenders," noted that the decision to provide benefits to all children under three is a positive step that is widely practiced in civilized countries. Although the benefit amount of 1,200 soms is small, she believes it should be increased in the future considering inflation.The expert emphasized that universal payments help eliminate discrimination and corruption that families faced when receiving benefits. "Previously, many women with children could not receive assistance due to a lack of documents or low literacy, but now such support will be available to everyone, which is an important step towards social justice," she added.
Although 1,200 soms cannot fully support a child, for many families it will provide necessary assistance to cover part of basic expenses, such as diapers or new clothing.
It should also be noted that in Kyrgyzstan there is a one-time benefit "Balaga Suynuch" of 4,000 soms, as well as the "Uý-bülöge kömök" program for low-income families. The "Bala Irysy" payment will become an additional source of support to the already existing assistance measures.
