BAKU, July 25, 2025 — Despite common belief, being diagnosed with cancer in Azerbaijan does not automatically entitle a person to a state pension or social benefits.
Economist Akif Nasirli clarified the country’s legal and medical framework in comments to local media, explaining that pensions in Azerbaijan are not granted based on a diagnosis alone — including serious illnesses like cancer — but on the degree of disability and loss of work capacity.
“In Azerbaijan, pensions are issued not according to the diagnosis but based on the officially recognized loss of work capacity,” Nasirli said. “To be eligible, a person must be assigned a disability group. There are three groups, and only the first group — involving more than 80% loss of capacity — qualifies for a disability pension.”
He noted that certain forms of cancer may eventually lead to significant functional impairment, which can result in the individual being assigned a disability group — thereby opening the door to pension eligibility. However, this is contingent on a formal medical evaluation.
Nasirli also pointed out that people suffering from severe psychological conditions may also qualify for pensions if deemed unfit for work, but again, only after thorough examination by medical commissions.
Ultimately, the decision hinges not on the name of the disease but on how much it affects the person’s ability to perform daily or professional activities.
