BUDGET 2026: 78.3B to strengthen services to children, women and the elderly 

Guyana’s Government has unveiled an ambitious plan for 2026 aimed at supporting children, women, and senior citizens, with a record $78.3 billion budget for social services, up from $64 billion last year. The programmes are designed to ensure that the country’s most vulnerable populations are protected, empowered and equipped to thrive.

For children, the government will expand access to safe and inclusive childcare, completing the day and night care centre at Providence and beginning construction of four new centres across Regions 2, 5, 6, and 10, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said in his budget presentation.

The $100,000 cash grant for newborns will continue, while training initiatives will equip more caregivers with basic and advanced childcare skills. Investments will also be directed at creating child-friendly recreational spaces, promoting safe and engaging environments for young people across communities.

Women’s empowerment remains a priority, with plans to scale up technical and entrepreneurial training, increase access to scholarships through the GOAL programme, and provide broader support for women-owned businesses. These initiatives aim to expand opportunities, strengthen economic independence, and develop essential life skills for women across the country.

Elderly citizens will benefit from an expansion of home-based care services, as well as improved access to healthcare through telemedicine, mobile health units, and virtual clinics. The government will co-invest in new elderly care facilities, construct a new senior citizen home, and upgrade existing facilities at the Palms to enhance the quality of care.

These interventions reflect a holistic approach to social services, ensuring that children, women, and the elderly are central to national development while strengthening their well-being, security, and dignity.