Fines Up, Support Down: Turkmenistan Builds “Prosperity” at the Expense of Its Own People

Turkmenistan continues its unique socio-economic experiment: the poorer the population becomes, the more actively it is fined. Beginning May 1, the authorities are increasing administrative fines, tightening control over citizens, and introducing new liability measures for parents of minor children. At the same time, social support is not merely inadequate — it is effectively being reduced. Fines Are Increasing. Indexation of Benefits Has Been “Spared” For previous years, the authorities annually announced a 10% increase in pensions, benefits, and wages, presenting it as evidence of their “care for the people.” However, this year even that symbolic indexation was cancelled. As stated during the Halk Maslahaty session, no additional increase was necessary because, according to official reasoning, the population is already living quite well. Apparently, this is why: hundreds of thousands of citizens are in labor migration abroad, families survive on remittances from relatives overseas, young people are striving en masse to leave the country, and for many pensioners, their pension covers little more than a few trips to the grocery store. But, evidently, in official statistics this is described as “a high standard of living.” Benefits So “Laughable” They Make You Want to Cry Families with children face particularly difficult conditions. In Turkmenistan, child benefits are paid only until a child reaches the age of three. Once the child turns three, all payments stop completely. This occurs despite the fact that family expenses only increase after that age: preparation for school, clothing and food, medical care, transportation, educational and extracurricular expenses. At the same time, the benefits themselves are so small that citizens speak of them with bitter irony: The benefits are so “laughable” they make you want to cry. Fines for Parents Without Social Support Against this background, authorities are introducing fines for parents of children under 16 for “improper upbringing,” including liability for a child’s failure to attend school. This creates a paradoxical system: The state is willing to support a child only during the first three years of life. But it is ready to fine parents over that child for at least thirteen more years. How It Works in Functional States In most democratic countries, parental responsibility is accompanied by real social policy: child benefits until age 18, extended payments if the child continues education, tax benefits, compensation for child-related expenses. In many European countries, families receive €200–250 or more per month per child. In Turkmenistan, however, the logic appears different: “Receive benefits until age three. After that, good luck. But remain fully responsible.” Where Is the Money Going Then? If there is allegedly no money for pensions and benefit indexation, why is there money for: the new city of Arkadag, new large-scale construction projects in Mary Province, luxurious government complexes, architectural megaprojects, expensive ceremonies and parades? Citizens Need Support, Not New Facades Most citizens of Turkmenistan do not need new marble showcases. They need: jobs, decent wages, prices that correspond to real incomes, genuine support for families, accessible healthcare and education. Instead, they are given: new fines, new inspections, and new reasons to pay the state more. The Result: Migration and Demographic Decline This policy has already produced serious consequences: labor migration is increasing; young people are leaving the country en masse; families are being separated; children grow up without parents; regions are being depopulated. All of this unfolds while officials continue speaking of “prosperity” and “public well-being.” Conclusion If the state believes that the people are living so well that they no longer need even a 10% increase in pensions and benefits, while simultaneously raising fines and expanding grounds for punishment — then the problem is likely not the people. The problem is how far the authorities have drifted from reality. Sources: Azatlyk Radiosy: https://www.azathabar.com/a/33498222.html⁠� Video source: https://youtu.be/6rsweU2j1wk?si=hc48eRPO_PqVsyI5⁠�