Starting July 2026, civil servants will receive a housing allowance of 200,000 ariary to support their purchasing power amid rising cost of living. Minister Herinjatovo Ramiarison announced the state decision on the housing allowance for state employees. The payslips of civil servants will change beginning July 2026. A monthly housing allowance of 200,000 ariary will now be integrated into the salaries of state agents. The announcement was made by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Herinjatovo Ramiarison, during the signing of three cooperation agreements with France, held yesterday at Antaninarenina. This allowance aims to improve living conditions for civil servants and help them cope with housing expenses. The minister clarified that this measure is already included and budgeted in the initial 2026 Finance Law. Its official implementation will begin in the second half of the year, starting in July. According to a source at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, this decision concerns all categories of active civil servants. The Council of Ministers report published on June 10 specifies that this allowance will apply to civil servants, agents of decentralized territorial authorities, and public organizations. The announcement was well received by state employees, who see it as a partial response to difficulties caused by rising cost of living, particularly housing expenses. Teachers already benefit from a chalk allowance of 135,000 ariary. In addition, they also receive a housing allowance of 200,000 ariary. "This is a very good initiative. Rental prices keep increasing and this allowance will help us better manage our monthly expenses. It may not be enough, but it's already significant support," says Léonie Razafindraketaka, a civil servant teacher. The same sentiment is shared by many administrative agents. "We've been waiting for this decision for several years. The 200,000 ariary won't solve all our problems, but it will improve our purchasing power, especially for those renting," testifies Vonjinirina, a civil servant. While civil servants already benefit from certain support measures, including allowances that strengthen their monthly income, the situation appears different in the private sector. Indeed, many private sector employees are still awaiting the effective implementation of the minimum hiring wage set at 300,000 ariary, whose implementing decree remains a key element for its actual entry into force.