Turkish gov't gives 'gold coins' to 1 million newborns

In Turkey, it is a tradition to give gold coins to a newborn baby, so within the scope of the maternity benefit program launched by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu last year, a maternity allowance was paid for 1,057,973 newborn babies.

Between May 2015 and April 2016, TL 451.85 million ($151.66 million) in maternity allowance was provided to 1,040,902 mothers. According to data collected by the Family and Social Policies Ministry, the maternity benefit program was put into effect in accordance with the additional article included in Decree Law number 633.

Accordingly, maternity benefits have been provided for Turkish babies born in or out of the country since May 15, 2015. Mothers who apply are paid TL 300 for their first baby, TL 400 for the second and TL 600 for the third.