Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer

Sustainability Governance: Legal, Economic, and Institutional Mechanisms"

No. 2 Thematic Issue (2025): Thematic Issue Sustainability Governance: Legal, Economic, and Institutional Mechanisms, Guest Editors: Karlis Ketners, Vitalii Kotsur

Contemporary issues of financial sustainability in the pension system in Azerbaijan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/riss2025oa21093
Submitted
23 settembre 2025
Published
30-12-2025

Abstract

The article examines the problems of financing and forecasting within Azerbaijan's system of social insurance and pension provision. Through a thorough theoretical and methodological analysis based on the current regulatory and management framework, the main aspects of financial sustainability challenges were identified. The research evaluates the complex interplay between demographic, economic, and institutional factors affecting the pension system’s long-term viability. The study’s main scientific innovation lies in the development of a comprehensive analytical approach to a specific country model, providing methodological frameworks to handle financial security and sustainability issues, thereby expanding and improving the methodological foundation for financial management and forecasting in social protection systems Particular attention is drawn to relevant priorities for strengthening the financial foundation of social protection, identified as the most critical factor in improving overall social protection. The findings provide a valuable theoretical basis for policy development at the national management level within the current pension system, which operates solely on the solidarity principle.

References

  1. Abdullayeva, R.S. (2021). The measurement of the degree of government regulation in the pension system. In: S. Grima, E. Özen, H. Boz (Eds.). Contemporary Issues in Social Science (pp. 1-16). Emerald. Doi: 10.1108/S1569-375920210000106001.
  2. Aliev, B., Kamchybekov, T., Dzhailov, D., & Fu, S. (2024). Central Asian pension systems: A comparative analysis of achievements, risks and development mechanisms. Scientific Bulletin of Mukachevo State University. Series “Economics”, 11(4): 93-105. Doi: 10.52566/msu-econ4.2024.93.
  3. Alifiana, M., & Najiyya, W. (2024). Financial sustainability in emerging markets: An investigation of determinants in the pension fund companies. KnE Social Sciences, 9 (18): 288-298. Doi: 10.18502/kss.v9i17.16343.
  4. Aliyev, G., Valiyev, A., & Rustamova, S. (2011). Social protection and social inclusion in Azerbaijan. -- Text available at the site http://dspace.khazar.org/bitstream/20.500.12323/1974/1/Report_SPSI%20in%20Azerbaijan_eng.pdf, 15.05.2025.
  5. Anantanasuwong, K. (2023). Improving retirement savings by alleviating behavioral biases with financial literacy. Journal of Retirement, 11(2): 47-59. Doi: 10.3905/jor.2023.1.140.
  6. Angjeli, E., Civici, A., & Bombaj, F. (2025). The impact of microcredit on the economic growth of developing countries: Evidence and perspectives from Albania. Economics of Development, 24(2): 68-76. Doi: 10.63341/econ/2.2025.68.
  7. Azerbaijan State News Agency. (2022). The number of insured persons registered in the individual accounting system increased by 5 percent last year. -- Text available at the site https://azertag.az/xeber/oten_il_ferdi_uchot_sisteminde_uchota_alinmis_sigortaolunanlarin_sayi_5_faiz_artib-1988642, 17.05.2025.
  8. Bayramov, V., Hasanov, R., & Gasimova, N. (2020). Perspectives on the analysis and development of social policies in Azerbaijan. In: Social Policy in the Islamic World (pp. 225-240). Springer. Doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-57753-7_10.
  9. Bocchialini, E., Ferretti, P., & Ielasi, F. (2025). Pension plans' sustainable identity as a catalyst for environmental and social investing. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 110, 107702. Doi: 10.1016/j.eiar.2024.107702.
  10. Budget revenues from mandatory state social insurance contributions increased by 19.2 percent in 2022 (2023). -- Text available at the site https://vergiler.az/news/economy/22151.html, 17.05.2025.
  11. Buribayev, Y.A., Mukaldyeva, G., Nurahmetova, G.G., Uteyev, B., Nessipbekov, Y., & Khamzina, Z.A. (2016). Pension reform in the Republic of Kazakhstan: Main directions, conditions for implementation and development prospects. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 11(18): 11611-11619.
  12. Decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 93 “On Approval of the Action Plan for Coordination of Operations on the Preparation, Implementation and Control of the Implementation of the State Budget and Budgets of Extra-budgetary State Funds” (2004). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/6305, 19.05.2025.
  13. Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 419 “On the Continuation of Measures to Improve the Social Well-being of the Population” (2024). -- Text available at the site https://president.az/az/articles/view/67602, 17.05.2025.
  14. Draft Budget of the State Social Protection Fund for 2023 was approved by the Chamber of Accounts of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2022). -- Text available at the site https://sai.gov.az/files/DSMF_REY_2023-842813006.pdf, 18.05.2025.
  15. Dumiter, F., Schebesch, K., Nicoara, S., & Bențe, C. (2024). The impact of social features on the financial sustainability of pension systems in Central and Eastern Europe and Baltic States. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 30(6): 1920-1949. Doi: 10.3846/tede.2024.22835.
  16. Figari, F., Fornero, E., Oggero, N., & Rossi, M. (2023). Support for pension reforms: What is the role of financial literacy and pension knowledge? Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 42(4), 107096. Doi: 10.1016/j.jaccpubpol.2023.107096.
  17. Helmdag, J., & Väänänen, N. (2024). Financial sustainability above all else? Drivers and types of pension reform recommendations in EU socio‐economic governance. Journal of Common Market Studies, 63: 1236-1258.
  18. Ibraev, Z.G., Yerkebaeva, N.A., Mirzakulova, B.A., Nazarkulova, L.T., Buribayev, Y.A., & Khamzina, Z.A. (2017). Social rights, family and child guarantees in the context of the implementation of a new social course in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues, 20(1): 1-8.
  19. Ijzereef, T., Van Beukering, P., & Botzen, W. (2023). A sustainable Catch-22: An assessment of sustainability in the Dutch pension sector. Cleaner Production Letters, 4, 100030. Doi: 10.1016/j.clpl.2023.100030.
  20. Işık, C., Ongan, S., Islam, H., & Segota, T. (2025). Exploring the commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – the renewable energy and tourism demand nexus. Tourism Economics. Doi: 10.1177/13548166251320691.
  21. Ismayilov, V., Aslanzade, I., Guliyev, R., Ismayilov, I., & Lala, J. (2024). Labour migration and development in Azerbaijan, 1998-2022. Applied Econometrics and International Development, 24(2): 85-102.
  22. Issayeva, A., Niyazbekova, S., Semenov, A., Kerimkhulle, S., & Sayimova, M. (2024). Digital technologies and the integration of a green economy: Legal peculiarities and electronic transactions. Reliability Theory and Applications, 19(6 Special Issue): 1088-1096. Doi: 10.24412/1932-2321-2024-681-1088-1096.
  23. Kerimkhulle, S., Koishybayeva, M., Slanbekova, A., Alimova, Z., Baizakov, N., & Azieva, G. (2023a). Created and Realization of a Demographic Population Model for a Small City. Proceedings on Engineering Sciences, 5 (3): 383-390.
  24. Kerimkhulle, S., Mukhanova, A., Kantureyeva, M., Koishybaeva, M., & Azieva, G. (2023b). Applying a housing construction model to improve a small town demographic dynamics. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2700, 040047.
  25. Khamzin, A.Sh., Khamzina, Zh.A., & Buribayev, Y.A. (2015). The decent work programme of Kazakhstan: Social and labor rights protection from an institutional aspect of international law. Journal of East Asia and International Law, 8(2): 539-540.
  26. Khamzina, Z.A., Buribayev, Y.A., Oryntayev, Z.K., & Kuttygalieva, A. (2015). Problems of overcoming poverty in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(3): 169-176.
  27. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 1028-VIQ “On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2024” (2023a). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/55872, 20.05.2025.
  28. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 1029-VIQ “On the 2024 Budget of the State Social Protection Fund” (2023b). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/55873, 20.05.2025.
  29. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 1350-VQ “On the 2019 Budget of the Relevant Executive Authority Implementing Social Security and Protection” (2018). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/41075, 20.05.2025.
  30. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 1697-VQ “On the 2020 Budget of the Body (Institution) Determined by the Relevant Executive Authority Implementing Social Security and Protection” (2019). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/43851, 22.05.2025.
  31. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 221-IIQ “On Individual Accounting in the State Social Insurance System” (2001). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/2842, 23.05.2025.
  32. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 234-VIQ “On the 2021 Budget of the State Social Protection Fund” (2020). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/46591, 23.05.2025.
  33. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 2430 “On the 2024 Budget of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan” (2023c). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/55915, 24.05.2025.
  34. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 250-IQ “On Social Insurance” (1997). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/3813, 28.05.2025.
  35. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 402-VIQ “On the 2022 Budget of the State Social Protection Fund” (2021). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/48727#_edn2, 30.05.2025.
  36. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 449-VQ “On the 2017 Budget of the Relevant Executive Authority Implementing Social Security and Protection” (2016). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/34547, 01.06.2025.
  37. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 54-IIIQ “On Labour Pensions” (2006). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/11566, 02.06.2025.
  38. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 673-VIQ “On the 2023 Budget of the State Social Protection Fund” (2022). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/53093, 02.06.2025.
  39. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 904-VQ “On the 2018 Budget of the Relevant Executive Authority Implementing Social Security and Protection” (2017). -- Text available at the site https://e-qanun.az/framework/37425, 06.06.2025.
  40. Lenney, J., Schüle, F., Sheiner, B., & Lutz, L. (2022). The sustainability of state and local pensions: A public finance approach. In: Brookings Papers on Economic Activity (pp. 1-48). Brookings Institution Press.
  41. Mammadov, G. (2023). General situation of aggravation of environmental problems in Azerbaijan. Journal of Endemism: Biodiversity & Environment, 1(2): 6-10.
  42. Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan. (2022). Social insurance revenues increased by 84.3% in 2017-2021. -- Text available at the site https://sosial.gov.az/media/xeberler/post_521255?hl=az, 06.06.2025.
  43. Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan. (n.d). Annual reports. -- Text available at the site https://sosial.gov.az/nazirlik/hesabatlar/emek-ve-ehalinin-sosial-mudafiesi-nazirliyinin-illik-hesabatlari, 11.06.2025.
  44. Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2024). A press conference was held on the indexation and increase of pensions under the new Decree of President Ilham Aliyev. -- Text available at the site https://sosial.gov.az/media/xeberler/prezident-ilham-eliyevin-yeni-serencami-ile-pensiyalarin-indekslesdirilerek-artirilmasina-dair-metbuat-konfransi-kecirilib, 30.04.2025.
  45. Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2023). The number of insured people in the individual accounting system has increased. -- Text available at the site https://dsmf.gov.az/post/ferdi-ucot-sisteminde-ucota-alinmis-sigortaolunanlarin-sayi-artib, 30.04.2025.
  46. Muslumov, S., & Ibrahimov, O. (2009). Pension reform in Azerbaijan: Сhallenges and achievements. International Social Security Review, 62(3): 73-93.
  47. Ongan, S., Gocer, I., & Işık, C. (2025). Introducing the new ESG-based Sustainability Uncertainty Index (ESGUI). Sustainable Development, 33(3): 4457-4467. Doi: 10.1002/sd.3351.
  48. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2023). Pensions at a Glance 2023: OECD and G20 Indicators. OECD Publishing. Doi: 10.1787/678055dd-en.
  49. Otchere, I., Abdulrahman, A., & Wang, J. (2024). Environmental, social, and governance investing and sustainability of pension funds: Evidence from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. Economic Modelling, 143, 106948. Doi: 10.1016/j.econmod.2024.106948.
  50. Prokhorova, V., Mushnykova, S., Abernikhina, I., Babichev, A., & Slastianykova, K. (2025). The impact of geopolitical trends on the technological renewal of industrial enterprises as a basis for the convergence of investment processes in the Ukrainian economy. Economics of Development, 24(2): 8-25. Doi: 10.63341/econ/2.2025.08.
  51. Sadiqov, K. (2024a). SSPF’s revenues and expenses increased. -- Text available at the site https://report.az/maliyye-xeberleri/dsmf-nin-gelirleri-ve-xercleri-artib/, 28.04.2025.
  52. Sadiqov, K. (2024b). Average monthly salary up by over 11% in Azerbaijan. -- Text available at the site https://report.az/maliyye-xeberleri/azerbaycanda-orta-ayliq-emek-haqqi-11-den-cox-artib06022024/, 28.04.2025.
  53. State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2024a). Macro-economic indicators and social development of the country in January-December of 2023. -- Text available at the site https://www.stat.gov.az/news/macroeconomy.php?lang=az&page=12&arxiv=1, 29.04.2025.
  54. State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2024b). Macro-economic indicators and social development of the country in January of 2024. -- Text available at the site https://www.stat.gov.az/news/macroeconomy.php?lang=az&page=11&arxiv=1, 25.04.2025.
  55. State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2024c). Healthcare, social protection, sports. -- Text available at the site https://www.stat.gov.az/source/healthcare/, 20.04.2025.
  56. Świecka, B., Kowalczyk-Rólczyńska, P., Pieńkowska-Kamieniecka, S., Śledziowski, J., & Terefenko, P. (2025). The influence of factors in consumer sustainable auto-enrolment pensions. Sustainability, 17(3), 1340.
  57. Willows, G. (2023). Develop a retirement plan and stick to it. Financial Services Review, 28 (3): 243-271. Doi: 10.61190/fsr.v28i3.3429.