Azerbaijan: Number of Social Allowance and Scholarship Recipients Rises

The number of people receiving monthly social allowances and state scholarships in Azerbaijan is growing. In September 2026, it rose by about 3% compared with the same period last year, reaching 885.9 thousand people. Payments for allowances and Presidential scholarships also increased in the first nine months of this year.

Economist Vusala Ahmadova, a doctor of legal sciences, told Globalinfo.az, as reported by Modern.az, that state social payment obligations are expanding not only for current beneficiaries but also for newly eligible people. According to State Social Protection Fund (DSMF) data for January to September 2026, total payments on allowances and scholarships reached 1.692 billion manat, including 951 million manat in social allowances, 609 million manat in Presidential scholarships and 132 million manat in social insurance allowances.

She said the increase cannot be explained by new recipients alone, since changes in average payment amounts and payment structure also matter. Forecasting state budget and DSMF revenues and long-term social planning are becoming more important.