ArmInfo. The Ministry of Labor and Welfare's 2027 budget will be the largest in the country's entire state budget, amounting to 1 trillion 082 billion drams, which is 91.1 billion drams higher than the 2026 budget. This
On November 2, RA Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan announced this in parliament while presenting the draft Basic Economic Law of the country.
According to him, the funds will be used to implement 18 programs and cover the main components of social policy. The department's budget will account for 26.6 percent of the total state treasury and 8 percent of the country's GDP.
In turn, Minister of Labor and Welfare Arsen Torosyan noted that the bonus payment program, which will receive 37,300 employees, will include... It is planned to allocate 10.4 billion drams for the benefit of people. Payments are also provided for war veterans and individuals awarded the Medal of Parental Glory. The program to assist socially vulnerable families will also continue, with 16.7 billion drams allocated, which is 8.6 billion drams less than the current year's allocations.
Starting in 2027, the minimum basic pension is planned to increase by 1,000 drams - from 46,000 to 47,000 drams. Payments calculated based on work experience will increase by 500 drams. To finance the increase in pensions, funeral benefits will be cut. As part of the increased targeting, state compensation for these purposes will be retained only for socially vulnerable citizens officially registered in the relevant system. The Minister noted that due to reforms to needs assessment approaches, some families who previously did not receive state benefits will be included in the support system. However, some previous recipients may lose their payments.
The general draft budget for 2027 retains a strong social focus, and pension expenditures will constitute one of the largest items of state funding – approximately 674 billion drams.
Funding for housing programs for refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh will continue in 2027. Torosyan reported that the draft budget for 2027 has been fully developed, taking into account the servicing of already issued housing certificates. Despite proposals to adjust and increase the nominal value of assistance due to rising real estate prices in Armenia, no decision has been made to increase the amount of payments under the certificates. The Minister commented on the rise in housing prices, noting that apartments have become more expensive for all citizens. He attributed this to the country's high economic activity and state programs, adding that this is, in some ways, a positive economic indicator. He also urged beneficiaries to consider purchasing housing in the regions for decentralization.
Torosyan confirmed that the government has decided to extend the monthly financial support program for displaced persons in the amount of 40,000 drams plus 10,000 drams for another year. Recipient groups in this case are determined based on per capita family income. As part of the social sector reform, the minister announced the launch of a new unified employment program starting January 1, 2027, using vouchers (up to 250,000 drams) to integrate low-income citizens, demobilized persons, and refugees. According to Torosyan, the optimization and merger of existing programs will allow the project to be implemented without additional funding from the state budget.
