Tbilisi (GBC) – Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili announced in parliament on November 12 that salaries for public servants, police officers, and soldiers will increase by 10%, reflecting the government’s ongoing commitment to social and defense spending.

Speaking about the 2021–2025 period, Khutsishvili highlighted that funding for social support and healthcare programs has increased by over GEL 3.5 billion, accounting for 38% of the total budget growth.

Key measures in the 2025 draft budget include:

Pensions and Social Benefits:

  • Pensioners under 70 years: +110 GEL; in high-mountain areas: +132 GEL
  • Pensioners aged 70 and above: +175 GEL; in high-mountain areas: +210 GEL
  • Number of beneficiaries increased by over 85,000
  • Compensation for former soldiers and police officers increased by more than 40%, with the upper limit rising from 560 GEL to 1,035 GEL
  • Social benefits for persons with disabilities increased proportionally
  • Assistance for children under 16 increased from 100,000 to 120,000 recipients, with monthly support now 200 GEL per child

Healthcare:

  • Funding for healthcare programs increased by over GEL 600 million
  • Salaries of primary healthcare personnel to increase by 10%

Defense and Security:

  • Total funding reached GEL 4.2 billion, with a 20% share of the overall budget increase
  • Salaries for soldiers and police officers have risen by 60% over the last four years

Education:

  • Funding increased by over GEL 2 billion (22% of the total budget increase)
  • Average salaries for public school teachers increased by GEL 700–800, while kindergarten staff salaries rose by GEL 400–500 

Infrastructure:

  • Capital expenditure allocations for 2025 exceed GEL 8 billion, a 66% increase compared to 2021

Additional Social Measures:

  • Pensions for elderly and disabled individuals increased further, including 495 GEL for pensioners 70+ and 370 GEL for those under 70, with higher amounts in mountainous regions
  • Social programs financing totals GEL 7 billion
    Housing support for displaced persons allocated GEL 240 million

Khutsishvili emphasized that the public sector has seen a 46% increase in salaries over the last four years, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve living standards and strengthen social welfare, education, and healthcare systems.