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- The right of the firstborn: parents with one child have become 23 times more likely to spend maternity capital
The right of the firstborn: parents with one child have become 23 times more likely to spend maternity capital
Families with one child submitted almost 100,000 applications for the disposal of maternity capital in the first quarter — 23 times more than a year ago, according to the report of the Accounting Chamber (Izvestia studied it). Russians are increasingly switching from a savings model to active spending, primarily on housing and education. This is due to rising prices, which motivate people to spend "here and now." In addition, children have reached the age of preparation for school, and parents give money to their clubs and sections. Why the number of recipients of payments due to the certificate is growing and what schemes are used to cash out state support — in the Izvestia article.
Why did mother capital start to be spent more often
In the first quarter of 2025, families submitted 483,000 applications for the disposal of maternity capital. Of these, 95,000 are from parents with one child. Compared to last year, the number of appeals from the latter has increased 23 times, according to the report of the Accounting Chamber (JV) on the budget of the Social Fund (Izvestia studied it). The editorial board sent a request to the foundation.
At the same time, the issuance of certificates at the birth of the first child increased by only 8% compared to last year, to 125 thousand. The majority of families with one child have allocated funds for improving housing conditions (74 thousand applications), as well as for education (20 thousand), the auditors estimated.
Maternity capital in Russia was introduced in 2007 at the birth (adoption) of the second and subsequent children. And in 2020, the support measure was extended to the first child. Currently, the amount of the certificate is 690 thousand for the firstborn, 912 thousand for the second child, and if there is a previously issued capital, an additional payment of 222 thousand is due for the first one. The money can be used for housing (purchase, construction, reconstruction, mortgage), children's education, a parent's pension, rehabilitation, monthly payments of up to three years and a lump sum of up to 10 thousand rubles.
The increase in the number of applications is due to the fact that previously families with one child more often postponed maternity capital for the future, and now — against the background of rising prices and rates — they are trying to use it immediately to increase the initial mortgage payment and reduce the loan amount, said Evgeny Shavnev, CEO of Flip.
In addition, since March, the possibilities of using the certificate have expanded: starting this year, funds can be used to build a private house through escrow accounts under a contract, recalled Vladimir Chernov, analyst at Freedom Finance Global. This is especially interesting for those who have long wanted to live in a separate house.
Additionally, simplified procedures through "Public Services" and increased awareness of people played a role, the expert added. As a result, more and more families are switching from a savings model to an active use of capital, especially those who are not planning a second child.
Matkapital has become more actively used by families whose children will soon go to school, said Alexander Safonov, professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. He recalled that the certificate began to be issued for first—born children in 2020, which means that many children are already about five years old - they can be enrolled in clubs and sections in kindergarten. Against the background of rising tuition prices, this makes matkapital especially in demand.
According to Vladimir Chernov, the growth in the number of applications for the disposal of maternity capital at this rate will continue at least until the end of 2025, especially if inflation remains at 8-9% and the terms of the program do not change. In the future, the dynamics will depend on the income of the population, the indexation of payments, the availability of mortgages and the birth rate.
Matkapital cashing schemes
In January – March 2025, 176,000 certificates were issued (to all families, not just with one child), which is 5% less than in the same period last year, according to the Joint Venture report. The decrease is due to a drop in the birth rate. In the first quarter of this year, 293-294 thousand births were registered in Russia, which is 2.3% less than in the same period last year, according to Rosstat data.
It is noteworthy that the number of recipients of monthly payments due to the certificate has increased by almost a third — from 308 thousand to 397 thousand, according to the report of the joint venture. This option is available only to families where the average income per person does not exceed twice the subsistence level in the region. The average payment in Russia is 17.2 thousand rubles, but its size varies in each region.
The main reason is the drop in real incomes of the population against the background of high inflation, explained Alexander Safonov from the Financial University. Although, according to Rosstat, this figure accelerated to 8.4% in January–March, wages in the regions often do not keep pace with rising prices.
In addition, abuse of the mother capital cannot be ruled out — nevertheless, some prefer to receive financial support, said Andrey Girinsky, Candidate of Economics, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics of the Rudn University. For example, they may hide their real income or receive a salary "in an envelope."
Despite increased controls, mother capital cashing schemes are still popular, especially in the regions, added Vladimir Chernov from Freedom Finance Global. Most often, these are fictitious housing transactions: buying rooms from relatives, registering illiquid objects, overstating the cost, renting under the guise of improving conditions. There are few new ways, but scammers are becoming more technologically advanced — they use intermediaries, sole proprietors and electronic platforms, the expert said.
Nevertheless, matkapital remains an effective measure to support families, the expert continued. To enhance its benefits, it is necessary to expand the areas of use — for example, to allow spending money on buying a car for families with many children, Vladimir Chernov believes. However, such steps can increase the risk of cashing out, so it is important to ensure transparent control over the spending of funds and prevent possible fraud schemes.
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