Baku, February 11, 2026 – The Europe Today: Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population held a meeting with a delegation led by Anna Rose Bordon, Head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission in Azerbaijan, to discuss pension reforms and labor market developments.
During the meeting, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Anar Aliyev outlined the achievements of social reforms implemented in recent years, noting that five comprehensive social reform packages carried out over the past seven years have resulted in substantial increases in social payments, including pensions.
He emphasized that, in line with the instructions of Ilham Aliyev, pensions have been indexed and increased by an additional 9.3 percent since the beginning of the year. The minister also highlighted measures aimed at introducing more humane approaches within the pension provision system.
Anar Aliyev further pointed to the expansion of digital services and the implementation of proactive appointment mechanisms in the social security sector, describing them as key steps toward enhancing efficiency and transparency.
Addressing labor market trends, the minister noted steady year-on-year growth in the number of employment contracts, the rollout of active employment programs, and ongoing efforts to develop and approve professional and qualification standards. He also underlined recent amendments to labor legislation, initiatives to expand women’s employment opportunities, and targeted projects supporting youth employment.
The two sides exchanged views on pension reforms and recent developments in Azerbaijan’s labor market.
Following the discussions, the IMF delegation delivered a presentation analyzing Azerbaijan’s labor market performance during a session attended by Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Rashad Mustafayev.
The meeting reaffirmed continued cooperation between Azerbaijan and the IMF in strengthening social protection mechanisms and promoting sustainable labor market development.
