Jabbarov says formalising jobs helped Azerbaijan expand housing funding

The formalisation of informal employment in Azerbaijan helped expand the social protection system and create additional sources of funding to address housing problems, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said.

He said reforms launched in 2019 and continued through 2025 brought workers who had previously been paid in cash and remained outside the social protection system into the social insurance system.

“As a result, revenues increased, and part of these funds was directed to providing housing for citizens in need of social protection,” Jabbarov said at a WUF13 session on transforming informal settlements and ensuring housing.

The minister said fiscal reforms had increased budget revenues from the formalisation of employment by more than three times in real terms.

He said the approach helped win public support and create a sustainable source of funding for social needs.