It is worth noting that there is a human being behind each number and percentage rate. Each digit represents a child who went on holiday with his parents for the first time in his or her life due to the Family 500+ Programme or received a new rucksack in September from the Good Start benefit. The numbers also represent mothers who no longer have to fear that there will not be enough places for nurseries to accommodate, thus requiring her to give up her career and not be able to afford a nanny. She and her husband both see that their salaries are increasing each year, and they have stopped worrying about potential unemployment a long time ago.

Until recently, pro-family policy was merely an empty slogan. The existing solutions were provisional and very selective. In contrast to the predecessors, the current government has focused on family policy from the very beginning, taking into consideration the long-term nature of these activities. Today, the Law and Justice government helps Polish families to remain safe with a guarantee of long-term and far-sighted state care.

New benefits for families with children
Four and a half months after taking office, the Family 500+ programme was introduced - the first programme introduced since the transformation of the political system which addresses the need to invest in the family. Since the beginning of the implementation of the programme, i.e. since April 2016, families have received over PLN 72.5 billion (data as at the end of May 2019).

Since July 2019, all children under 18 years of age have been included in the “Family 500+” programme. The income criterion under the benefit programme has been abolished. Currently, the Polish state provides a financial aid to 6.8 million children in 4.4 million families each month.

Due to the programme, families can now afford to invest more in their children's development through holidays or extracurricular activities. The participation rate in extracurricular activities has increased by 10% between 2015 and 2018. Children's participation in such activities facilitates their development and helps to build the so-called social capital, which will result in a future influx of employees with broad competences, including social competences.

Polish poverty no longer has the face of a child. Fewer families with children now apply for social assistance. The decline recorded in that group in 2018 amounted to 32%, i.e. approximately one-third in relation to 2015. This means that in 2018, social assistance was required by approximately 163 thousand less families with children in relation to 2015.

Each parent who sends a child to school knows perfectly well how to spend money on textbooks, school supplies or a child’s favourite rucksack. These expenses can damage the home budget. Especially in the case of families with many children. After the success of 500+, the “Good Start” programme was introduced and covered 4.4 million children. In 2018, families received PLN 300 for each child attending school - regardless of their income. In 2018, PLN 1.32 billion was distributed to Polish families from the programme budget.

From August this year, the scope of persons entitled to receive benefit will expand to include adults and post-secondary school students.

The power has been brought back to families with multiple children
Due to the introduction of many pro-family programmes, large families are no longer perceived as poor and helpless. 

In 2016-2017, a change in the dynamics and structure of consumption was observed, especially in large families. Despite an increase in expenditures in almost all categories in relation to 2014-2015, the share of expenditures on food and transportation has been declining, with a simultaneous increase in flexible expenditures on leisure and culture, furnishing, education, eating out and expenditures for accommodation outside of the family homes.

We have extended the Large Family Card to include a wide range of discounts for families. Today, more than 780,000 families hold the Card which can now be used by all parents who have ever raised at least three children, including the elderly. This is our method for expressing appreciation of the effort required by raising more children, but we also make everyday life easier for families with many children.

The number of Large Family Card partners has increased from 1.2 thousand in 2015 to 5.5 thousand at present. They offer discounts in approximately 23 thousand locations. From 2018, the BFC is also available as a mobile application. Today it is used by almost half a million people.

Toddler+ has grown
An increasing number of parents can now reconcile parenthood with professional careers as the number of places in nurseries and children's club continues to increase due to the “Toddler+” programme.

Since 2018, the budget of the “Toddler+” programme has increased threefold, up to PLN 450 billion. In result, in 2018 the Toddler+ programme helped to establish 23 thousand care places, while in the current year that number is expected to increase up to 27.6 thousand. In 2015, 2.5 thousand care facilities were established under “Toddler+”, i.e. 10 times less than today.

The existing legislation made it particularly difficult to establish nurseries. Due to the changes introduced by the so-called nursery law, it is now easier to set up and run a nursery, while maintaining high standards of childcare.

Respect for the weaker family members
It is also important to note that the Ministry does not only focus on children, but also of the elderly and the disabled family members. Seniors do not feel excluded due to the Senior+ Programme and the Government Programme for Social Participation of Senior Citizens They now have a chance to develop their passions. With the new “75+ Care” programme, we support dependent persons who require special assistance due to their age or illness. We address the “Pro Life” Programme or other programmes under the Solidarity Fund for Persons with Disabilities (respite care, care services) to persons with disabilities and their families. Families including members with disabilities require special support. It is crucial to ensure their independent living and full participation in all areas of their lives.

Safe work for mom and dad
Safe work is a safe family. The record-low unemployment (5.3% in June according to the Ministry's estimates), continued high GDP growth (5.1% in 2018), systematic growth of salaries (approximately 7% year-over-year in the enterprise sector), including the minimum wage (planned increase by PLN 200 in 2020), help to create a friendly climate for families and restore their sense of economic security.

Last year, the average monthly disposable income per capita amounted to PLN 1 693 in 2018; an increase by almost 6% in nominal terms in relation to the preceding year (data provided by the Central Statistical Office).

But it's not the numbers that matter most.