In the Czech Republic, calls are made to provide Ukrainian families with child benefits to save birth rates

In the Czech Republic, some demographers and sociologists are urging the government to grant Ukrainian refugees the right to state child benefits. Experts believe this could help the country overcome its record low birth rates and partially compensate for the demographic crisis. This is reported by Radio Prague International.

Czech authorities propose parental benefits for Ukrainian women

This refers to the state support called rodičovský příspěvek, which is paid in the Czech Republic to one of the parents of a child under three years old. Currently, Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection status do not have the right to these benefits.

Analyst from the Demographic Information Center, Daniel Hule, stated that the Czech Republic could motivate Ukrainian women to have children through access to parental support.

Sociologists consider Ukrainian women important for the Czech Republic's demographics

Sociologist Daniel Prokop also supported the idea of expanding benefits for Ukrainian refugees. According to him, this would be one of the most effective steps to support birth rates in the country.

This issue is set to be discussed in May at a government conference dedicated to the demographic situation in the Czech Republic. The Prime Minister Andrej Babiš plans to participate in the event.

Ukrainian refugees do not have access to some social benefits

Currently, not only people with temporary protection do not have parental assistance rights. Such benefits are also unavailable to some Ukrainians who obtain a special long-term residence permit in the Czech Republic.

Clara Boumová, an expert from the charity organization Charita Česká republika, called the situation unfair.

According to her, Ukrainians make a significant contribution to the Czech economy, but remain limited in access to the social system.

Over 155,000 Ukrainian women with temporary protection live in the Czech Republic

Before the full-scale war began, around 85,000 Ukrainian women lived in the Czech Republic. After 2022, this number has significantly increased.

According to the Czech Ministry of the Interior, there are currently over 155,000 Ukrainian women aged 18 to 65 who hold temporary protection status in the country.

It is worth noting that the Czech Republic is preparing changes to the rules regarding the stay of Ukrainians.