Georgian Parliament official: UNICEF data shows sharp decline in child poverty, government aims for full eradication
Rati Ionatamishvili
Photo: Imedi TV
According to a study by UNICEF, child poverty in Georgia has significantly decreased over the past decade, falling from 30% in 2012 to around 12% today. However, Rati Ionatamishvili, the chair of the parliamentary committee on human rights protection and civil integration, said the real figure may be even lower - closer to 9%.
Speaking on Imedi TV show Open Air - Debates, Ionatamishvili emphasised that eliminating poverty remains one of the government’s key national objectives.
“According to UNICEF research, if child poverty stood at 30% in 2012, it is now around 12% in their latest findings. However, we believe even this is not fully accurate and that the figure is approximately 9% today”, he said.
The official argued that policy changes implemented after 2012, including making kindergartens and school textbooks free, played a significant role in improving social conditions for families.
“Before 2012, kindergartens in Georgia were paid, and parents could not take their children to kindergarten without paying fees. School textbooks were also paid. With these decisions, Georgian Dream began strengthening its policies”, Ionatamishvili concluded.
All News
30 March 2026, 11:55
Politics
Georgian Parliament official slams “hypocritical” opposition and “silent” Eurocrats after Patriarch’s passing
Levan Machavariani, the first deputy chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Sunday slammed the domestic radical opposition and certain international figures, accusing them of hypocrisy and a lack of respect during Georgia’s period of national mourning over the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.
30 March 2026, 11:33
Economy
Moody’s forecasts 6% GDP growth for Georgia in 2026 following periodic review
International credit rating agency Moody's Ratings has completed its periodic review of Georgia’s sovereign credit profile and related issuer ratings, highlighting a stronger economic outlook and resilient fundamentals.
29 March 2026, 14:30
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: law on protection of minors prohibits “inappropriate” conduct in educational settings
Archil Gorduladze, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s legal affairs committee, on Saturday said that the law on the protection of minors explicitly prohibits situations in which a man dressed as a woman (a drag queen) enters a kindergarten or when such behaviour is celebrated together with children.
29 March 2026, 12:08
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: law on family values shows effective preventive results
Rati Ionatamishvili, the chair of the parliamentary committee on human rights protection and civil integration, on Saturday said the law on family values and the protection of minors has proven effective in prevention, dismissing criticism that it restricted rights.
29 March 2026, 11:37
Politics
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker highlights “positive trend” in Georgia-US relations
Giorgi Kakhiani, the vice speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Saturday said recent developments indicate a “clear positive trend” in relations between Georgia and the United States, expressing hope for concrete progress in the near future.
28 March 2026, 16:28
Politics
Georgian Parliament official claims USAID, NED, EU-linked foundations backed campaigns insulting Georgian Orthodox Church
Levan Machavariani, the first deputy chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Saturday characterised the ongoing attacks on Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, the Patriarchal Locum Tenens, as part of a broader ultra-left, pseudo-liberal ideological campaign, recalling that similar efforts, often funded by USAID, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and European Union foundations, had directly insulted the Patriarchate, the clergy, and the late Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II.
27 March 2026, 21:04
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: restoration of strategic Georgia-US relations will happen sooner than expected
Zviad Shalamberidze, the first deputy chair of the parliamentary committee on regional policy and self-government, on Friday expressed strong confidence that the renewal and restoration of strategic relations between Georgia and the United States would occur sooner than many anticipated it.
27 March 2026, 20:44
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: sooner or later, EU will have to soften its tone toward Georgia
Zviad Shalamberidze, the first deputy chair of the parliamentary committee on regional policy and self-government, on Friday said that the European Union would eventually have to soften its critical tone toward Georgia.
27 March 2026, 20:39
Economy
Planet Hollywood to open its first hotel in Caucasus region in Tbilisi
The international hospitality and entertainment group Planet Hollywood Resorts International is launching its first project in the Caucasus - Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino Tbilisi.
27 March 2026, 20:38
Economy
Georgian National Bank Governor highlights Georgia’s strong macroeconomic performance, resilient banking sector as key factors driving international interest
Natia Turnava, the Governor of the National Bank of Georgia, on Friday said that hosting the 51st International Banking Conference in Georgia underscored the country’s increasing importance as a regional financial centre.
27 March 2026, 20:36
Economy
Norwegian Air Sweden enters Georgia’s aviation market with Tbilisi–Copenhagen flights
Norwegian Air Sweden, a subsidiary of the Scandinavian low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle, will operate direct flights on the Tbilisi-Copenhagen-Tbilisi route twice a week starting from June 27.
27 March 2026, 20:20
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: Helsinki Commission turned into tool of deep state to attack Georgia’s democracy
Davit Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and chair of the Parliament’s committee on procedural issues and rules, on Friday said the Helsinki Commission was being used as a tool to interfere in Georgia’s internal affairs, particularly in relation to the case of Elene Khoshtaria, the leader of the opposition Droa party.
27 March 2026, 16:47
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker says October 4 events aimed at “bloodshed”, thwarted by security services
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday said that people were being mobilised for “bloodshed” during the events of October 4, and only the swift action of Georgia’s security services and citizens prevented a violent outcome.
27 March 2026, 16:24
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker optimistic as US talks target economic cooperation, not “fictional issues”
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday expressed optimism following the visit of Peter Andreoli, a representative of the US State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.
27 March 2026, 15:03
Justice
Georgian Prosecutor's Office charges Bachana Akhalaia with publicly calling for violent overthrow of country’s constitutional order and government
The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has formally charged Bachana Akhalaia, the former defence minister under the previous United National Movement government, with publicly calling for the violent overthrow of the country’s constitutional order and government.
27 March 2026, 13:58
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker slams “defamatory” claims, says no sanctions violations proven
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday said that despite various defamatory claims regarding Georgia, no evidence has been substantiated or presented to demonstrate any violation of sanctions within the country.
27 March 2026, 13:29
Society
President Aliyev signs condolence book for Patriarch Ilia II at Georgian Embassy in Baku
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev on Friday visited the Georgian Embassy in Baku to express his condolences over the passing of His Holiness Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.
27 March 2026, 13:24
Politics
Investor interest in Georgia’s financial sector “on the rise”, says Prime Minister Kobakhidze
Speaking at the 51st international conference of the Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe, Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that global investor interest in Georgia’s financial sector was steadily increasing.
27 March 2026, 11:49
Economy
Georgian PM highlights “resilience and strong performance” of Georgia’s economy despite ongoing global challenges
At the 51st International Conference of the Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe, Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday highlighted the resilience and strong performance of Georgia’s economy despite ongoing global challenges.