Country Summary: Belarus
Country Name: Belarus
Capital: Minsk
Official Visa & Travel Information: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (Visa Services)
Government Type: Presidential Republic
Background: After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than have any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place and negotiations on further integration have been contentious.
Continent: Europe
Population: 9,383,853 (2023 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Belarusian 83.7%, Russian 8.3%, Polish 3.1%, Ukrainian 1.7%, other 2.4%, unspecified 0.9% (2009 est.)
Languages: Russian (official) 71.4%, Belarusian (official) 26%, other 0.3% (includes small Polish- and Ukrainian-speaking minorities), unspecified 2.3% (2009 est.)
Religions: Orthodox 48.3%, Catholic 7.1%, other 3.5%, non-believers 41.1% (2011 est.)
Economic Overview: Declining Russian energy subsidies will end in 2024; growing public debt; strong currency pressures have led to higher inflation; recent price controls on basic food and drugs; public sector wage increases and a fragile private sector threaten household income gains and economic growth.
Currency: Belarusian Ruble (BYN)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $8.425 billion (31 December 2021 est.)
Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $184.482 billion (2021 est.); note: data is in 2017 U.S. dollars
Real GDP Growth Rate: 2.3% (2021 est.)
Real GDP per Capita: $19,800 (2021 est.); note: data is in 2017 U.S. dollars
Exports:
$49.425 billion (2021 est.); note: data is in current year U.S. dollars and does not include illicit exports or re-exports
Comparison Ranking: 63
Export Commodities: Fertilizers, refined petroleum, cheese, delivery trucks, and lumber (2021)
Export Partners: Russia 42%, Ukraine 13%, United Kingdom 7% (2019)
Imports:
$45.459 billion (2021 est.) note: data is in current year U.S. dollars
Comparison Ranking: 67
Import Commodities: Crude petroleum, natural gas, cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, and broadcasting equipment (2019)
Import Partners: Russia 57%, China 7%, Poland 5%, Germany 5%, Ukraine 5%, Others 20% (2019)
Natural Resources: Timber, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay.
Agricultural Products: Milk, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, triticale, barley, maize, rye, rapeseed, and poultry.
Industries: Metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, synthetic fibers, fertilizer, textiles, refrigerators, washing machines, and other household appliances.
Industrial Production Growth Rate:
6.7% (2021 est.)
Comparison Ranking: 65
Labor Force: 4.95 million (2021 est.)
Labor Force By Occupation:
Agriculture: 9.7%
Industry: 23.4%
Services: 66.8% (2015 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 4.74% (2021 est.)
Natural Hazards: Large tracts of marshy land.
Geography:
Total: 207,600 sq km
Land: 202,900 sq km
Water: 4,700 sq km
(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)
LEGAL, FINANCIAL, & TAX ADVICE DISCLAIMER: The information on SportsLifeMoney’s™ (“SLM”) websites, podcast network, videos, social media accounts, and other platforms (collectively, “SLM Platforms”) is strictly and solely provided for educational and informational purposes only. All of the information and materials on the aforementioned SLM Platforms do not constitute and are not intended to provide legal, financial, accounting, or tax advice, and should not be relied on in that respect. SLM recommends that you consult with an attorney, certified financial advisor, or licensed accountant to answer any legal, financial, or tax questions you may have. SLM also recommends that you consult with an attorney, certified financial advisor, or licensed accountant before making any legal, financial, or tax-related decisions based on content and/or subject matter included and/or discussed on any of the SLM Platforms. Before you act or rely on any information you have heard, read, viewed, and/or listened to on any of the SLM Platforms or communication mediums, SLM recommends that you confirm any and all facts that are important to your decision and that you subsequently consult with an appropriate professional (e.g., attorney, certified financial advisor, certified accountant, etc.) and have them review these facts and also confirm their validity. CAUTION: IF YOU RELY ON ANY INFORMATION, CONTENT, PRODUCT, OR SERVICE FROM ANY OF THE SLM PLATFORMS, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL DAMAGES OR LOSS THAT YOU MAY INCUR THAT RESULTS FROM YOUR USE AND/OR RELIANCE OF ANY OF THE SLM PLATFORMS OR ANY OF THE CONTENT OR MATERIAL OTHERWISE PROVIDED ON ANY OF THESE SLM PLATFORMS. SLM AND ANY AND ALL OF ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO IMPLIED OR EXPRESS REPRESENTATIONS OR IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND REGARDING ANY AND ALL INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE SLM PLATFORMS OR SLM’S AFFILIATE PLATFORMS. SLM AND ITS AFFILIATES WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES. By continuing to use any of the SLM Platforms, you acknowledge and agree to the aforementioned terms and conditions of this disclaimer and any and all other legally binding terms and conditions set forth in SLM’s Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, and other legally binding agreements.
