Belarus
Republic of Belarus
Europe Minsk
Population
9.46M
Area
207,600 km²
GDP
$75.96B
GDP Per Capita
$29,000
Pop. Density
46/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
BrBelarusian ruble(BYN)
Calling Code
+375
Timezone
UTC+03:00
Languages
Belarusian, Russian
Driving Side
right
Demonym
Belarusian
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 any of the other former Soviet republics. In 1999, Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union, 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. Since taking office in 1994 as the country's first and only directly elected president, Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means and a centralized economic system. Government restrictions on political and civil freedoms, freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion have remained in place. Restrictions on political freedoms have tightened in the wake of the disputed presidential election in 2020. The election results sparked large-scale protests as members of the opposition and civil society criticized the election’s validity. LUKASHENKA has remained in power as the disputed winner of the presidential election after quelling protests in 2020. Since 2022, Belarus has facilitated Russia's war in Ukraine, which was launched in part from Belarusian territory.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑105.5% since 2006$37B (2006)$76B (2024)
Population
↓4.9% since 20069.6M (2006)9.1M (2024)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 74.2 years2006: 69.4 years2023: 74.2 years
Data source: World Bank Open Data
Geography19
Location
Eastern Europe, east of Poland
Geographic coordinates
53 00 N, 28 00 E
Map references
Europe
Area
total : 207,600 sq km
land: 202,900 sq km
water: 4,700 sq km
land: 202,900 sq km
water: 4,700 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly less than twice the size of Kentucky; slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries
total: 3,599 km
border countries: Latvia 161 km; Lithuania 640 km; Poland 375 km; Russia 1,312 km; Ukraine 1,111 km
border countries: Latvia 161 km; Lithuania 640 km; Poland 375 km; Russia 1,312 km; Ukraine 1,111 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime
Terrain
generally flat with much marshland
Elevation
highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m
lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m
mean elevation: 160 m
lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m
mean elevation: 160 m
Natural resources
timber, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay
Land use
agricultural land
39.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 27.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 11.7% (2023 est.)
forest
44% (2023 est.)
other
16.5% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
260 sq km (2022)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Dnyapro (Dnieper) (shared with Russia [s] and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Dnieper (533,966 sq km)
Population distribution
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Natural hazards
large tracts of marshy land
Geography - note
landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes
People & Society35
Population
total: 9,460,972 (2025 est.)
male: 4,414,771
female: 5,046,201
male: 4,414,771
female: 5,046,201
Nationality
noun: Belarusian(s)
adjective: Belarusian
adjective: Belarusian
Ethnic groups
Belarusian 83.7%, Russian 8.3%, Polish 3.1%, Ukrainian 1.7%, other 2.4%, unspecified 0.9% (2009 est.)
Languages
Languages: Russian (official) 71.4%, Belarusian (official) 26%, other 0.3% (includes small Polish- and Ukrainian-speaking minorities), unspecified 2.3% (2019 est.)
major-language sample(s):
Книга фактов о мире – незаменимый источник базовой информации. (Russian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
major-language sample(s):
Книга фактов о мире – незаменимый источник базовой информации. (Russian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Orthodox 48.3%, Catholic 7.1%, other 3.5%, non-believers 41.1% (2011 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 16.1% (male 787,849/female 741,293)
15-64 years: 66.1% (male 3,073,507/female 3,204,088)
65 years and over: 17.8% (2024 est.) (male 572,483/female 1,122,231)
15-64 years: 66.1% (male 3,073,507/female 3,204,088)
65 years and over: 17.8% (2024 est.) (male 572,483/female 1,122,231)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 52 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 24.1 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 27.9 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 3.6 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 24.1 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 27.9 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 3.6 (2025 est.)
Median age
total: 42.5 years (2025 est.)
male: 39.5 years
female: 45 years
male: 39.5 years
female: 45 years
Population growth rate
-0.44% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
8.16 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
13.21 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
0.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Urbanization
urban population: 80.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
rate of urbanization: 0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
2.057 million MINSK (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female
total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female
total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
26.8 years (2019 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
1 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 1.7 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 1.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 74.7 years (2024 est.)
male: 69.8 years
female: 80 years
male: 69.8 years
female: 80 years
Total fertility rate
1.45 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.7 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
urban: 99.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: 98.1% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 1.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 6.6% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 12.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 12.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
4.72 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
9.7 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: 98.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 1.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
24.5% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 10.57 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 2.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.98 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 4.67 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 2.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 2.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.98 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 4.67 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 2.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
total: 26.4% (2025 est.)
male: 44.5% (2025 est.)
female: 11.6% (2025 est.)
male: 44.5% (2025 est.)
female: 11.6% (2025 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
62.4% (2019 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 0.1% (2019)
women married by age 18: 4.7% (2019)
men married by age 18: 1.6% (2019)
women married by age 18: 4.7% (2019)
men married by age 18: 1.6% (2019)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP): 5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 13.2% national budget (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 13.2% national budget (2024 est.)
Literacy
total population: 99.9% (2019 est.)
male: 99.9% (2019 est.)
female: 99.9% (2019 est.)
male: 99.9% (2019 est.)
female: 99.9% (2019 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years (2023 est.)
male: 14 years (2023 est.)
female: 15 years (2023 est.)
male: 14 years (2023 est.)
female: 15 years (2023 est.)
Government25
Country name
conventional long form
Republic of Belarus
conventional short form
Belarus
local long form
Respublika Byelarus' (Belarusian)/ Respublika Belarus' (Russian)
local short form
Byelarus' (Belarusian)/ Belarus' (Russian)
former
Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic
etymology
the name is a compound of the Slavic words "bel" (white) and "Rus" (the Old East Slavic ethnic designation) to form the meaning White Rusian or White Ruthenian
Government type
presidential republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship
Capital
name: Minsk
geographic coordinates: 53 54 N, 27 34 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the origin of the name is disputed; it may be derived from the Menka River
geographic coordinates: 53 54 N, 27 34 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the origin of the name is disputed; it may be derived from the Menka River
Administrative divisions
6 regions (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality* (horad); Brest, Homyel' (Gomel'), Horad Minsk* (Minsk City), Hrodna (Grodno), Mahilyow (Mogilev), Minsk, Vitsyebsk (Vitebsk)
Legal system
civil law system
Constitution
history: several previous; latest drafted between late 1991 and early 1994, signed 15 March 1994
amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic through petition to the National Assembly or by petition of least 150,000 eligible voters; approval required by at least two-thirds majority vote in both chambers or by simple majority of votes cast in a referendum
amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic through petition to the National Assembly or by petition of least 150,000 eligible voters; approval required by at least two-thirds majority vote in both chambers or by simple majority of votes cast in a referendum
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Belarus
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Belarus
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
President Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA (since 20 July 1994)
head of government
Prime Minister Alyaksandr TURCHYN (since 10 March 2025)
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (no term limits); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly
most recent election date
first election held on 23 June and 10 July 1994; the 1994 constitution set the next election for 1999, but Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA extended his term to 2001 via a referendum; subsequent election held in 2001; a 2004 referendum ended presidential term limits and allowed LUKASHENKA to run and win a third term (19 March 2006), fourth term (19 December 2010), fifth term (11 October 2015), sixth term (9 August 2020), and seventh term (26 January 2025)
election results
2025: Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA reelected president; percent of vote - Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA (independent) 86.8%, Sergey Syrankov (Communist Party) 3.2%, 3.6% voting against all
2020: Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA reelected president; percent of vote - Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA (independent) 80.1%, Svyatlana TSIKHANOWSKAYA (independent) 10.1%, other 9.8%; note - widespread street protests erupted following announcement of the election results amid allegations of voter fraud
2015: Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA elected president; percent of vote - Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA (independent) 84.1%, Tatsyana KARATKEVIC (BSDPH) 4.4%, Sergey GAYDUKEVICH (LDP) 3.3%, other 8.2%.
expected date of next election
2030
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Assembly (Natsionalnoye Sobranie)
legislative structure: bicameral
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Palata Predstaviteley)
number of seats
110 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
5 years
most recent election date
2/25/2024
parties elected and seats per party
Belaya Rus party (51); Republican Party of Labour and Justice (8); Communist Party of Belarus (7); Non-partisans (40); Other (4)
percentage of women in chamber
33.9%
expected date of next election
February 2029
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Council of the Republic (Soviet Respubliki)
number of seats
65 (56 indirectly elected; 8 appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
5 years
most recent election date
4/4/2024
percentage of women in chamber
30.5%
expected date of next election
March 2029
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chairman and deputy chairman and organized into several specialized panels, including economic and military; number of judges set by the president of the republic and the court chairman); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 judges, including a chairman and deputy chairman)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president with the consent of the Council of the Republic; judges initially appointed for 5 years and evaluated for life appointment; Constitutional Court judges - 6 appointed by the president and 6 elected by the Council of the Republic; the presiding judge directly elected by the president and approved by the Council of the Republic; judges can serve for 11 years with an age limit of 70
subordinate courts: oblast courts; Minsk City Court; town courts; Minsk city and oblast economic courts
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president with the consent of the Council of the Republic; judges initially appointed for 5 years and evaluated for life appointment; Constitutional Court judges - 6 appointed by the president and 6 elected by the Council of the Republic; the presiding judge directly elected by the president and approved by the Council of the Republic; judges can serve for 11 years with an age limit of 70
subordinate courts: oblast courts; Minsk City Court; town courts; Minsk city and oblast economic courts
Political parties
Belaya Rus or BR
Republican Party of Labour and Justice or RPTS
Communist Party of Belarus or CBP
Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus or LDPB
Republican Party of Labour and Justice or RPTS
Communist Party of Belarus or CBP
Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus or LDPB
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant; recalled by Belarus in 2008); Chargé d'Affaires Pavel SHIDLOWSKI (since 9 August 2022)
chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 986-1606
FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805
email address and website:
[email protected]
Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United States of America (mfa.gov.by)
chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 986-1606
FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805
email address and website:
[email protected]
Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United States of America (mfa.gov.by)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Michael KREIDLER (since July 2025)
embassy
46 Starovilenskaya Street, Minsk 220002
mailing address
7010 Minsk Place, Washington DC 20521-7010
telephone
[375] (17) 210-12-83
FAX
[375] (17) 334-78-53
email address and website
International organization participation
BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CEI, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), ZC
Independence
25 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday
Independence Day, 3 July (1944)
Flag
description: red horizontal band (top), with a green horizontal band below that is half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the left side has traditional Belarusian designs in red
meaning: the red stands for past struggles to escape oppression, and the green for hope and the country's forests
meaning: the red stands for past struggles to escape oppression, and the green for hope and the country's forests
National symbol(s)
no official symbol; the mounted knight known as Pahonia (the Chaser) is the traditional symbol
National color(s)
green, red, white
National anthem(s)
title: "My, Bielarusy" (We Belarusians)
lyrics/music: Mikhas KLIMKOVICH and Uladzimir KARYZNA/Nester SAKALOUSKI
history: music adopted 1955, lyrics adopted 2002; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Belarus kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics; also known as "Dziarzauny himn Respubliki Bielarus" (State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus)
lyrics/music: Mikhas KLIMKOVICH and Uladzimir KARYZNA/Nester SAKALOUSKI
history: music adopted 1955, lyrics adopted 2002; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Belarus kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics; also known as "Dziarzauny himn Respubliki Bielarus" (State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus)
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 4 (3 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Białowieża Forest (n); Mir Castle Complex (c); Architectural, Residential, and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh (c)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Białowieża Forest (n); Mir Castle Complex (c); Architectural, Residential, and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh (c)
Economy32
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 fragile private sector threaten household income gains and economic growth
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $265.22 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $254.995 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $244.89 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $254.995 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $244.89 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2024: 4% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 4.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: -4.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 4.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: -4.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2024: $29,000 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $27,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $26,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $27,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $26,500 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$75.962 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 5.8% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 15.2% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 15.2% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 6.9% (2024 est.)
industry: 30.7% (2024 est.)
services: 49.7% (2024 est.)
industry: 30.7% (2024 est.)
services: 49.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
56.8% (2024 est.)
government consumption
19% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
23.8% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
2% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
65.1% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-66.9% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, triticale, barley, maize, rapeseed, rye, chicken (2023)
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% (2024 est.)
Labor force
4.817 million (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2024: 3.4% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 3.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 3.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 3.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 3.6% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 10.1% (2024 est.)
male: 11.7% (2024 est.)
female: 8.4% (2024 est.)
male: 11.7% (2024 est.)
female: 8.4% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
3.9% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2020: 24.4 (2020 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food: 29.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 7.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 7.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 4.5% (2020 est.)
highest 10%: 20.7% (2020 est.)
highest 10%: 20.7% (2020 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2024: 1.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances 2023: 1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Budget
revenues: $22.876 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $21.912 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $21.912 billion (2023 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2019: 33.2% of GDP (2019 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
12.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2024: -$1.925 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$1.104 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $2.628 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$1.104 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $2.628 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2024: $49.386 billion (2024 est.)
Exports 2023: $47.714 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $47.124 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023: $47.714 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $47.124 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - partners
China 34%, Kazakhstan 10%, Uzbekistan 7%, Poland 6%, Brazil 5% (2023)
Exports - commodities
fertilizers, rapeseed oil, wood, poultry, beef (2023)
Imports
Imports 2024: $50.679 billion (2024 est.)
Imports 2023: $47.459 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $42.438 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023: $47.459 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $42.438 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - partners
China 33%, Poland 16%, Germany 11%, Lithuania 10%, Turkey 9% (2023)
Imports - commodities
cars, broadcasting equipment, fabric, plastic products, video displays (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $8.912 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $8.118 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $7.923 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $8.118 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $7.923 billion (2022 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023: $18.01 billion (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Belarusian rubles (BYB/BYR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024
3.246 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
3.007 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
2.626 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
2.539 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
2.44 (2020 est.)
Energy8
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 12.653 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 39.883 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 4.553 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 4 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 3.149 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption: 39.883 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 4.553 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 4 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 3.149 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels
70% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear
26.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind
0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of operational nuclear reactors: 2 (2025)
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 2.22GW (2025 est.)
Percent of total electricity production: 28.6% (2023 est.)
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 2.22GW (2025 est.)
Percent of total electricity production: 28.6% (2023 est.)
Coal
consumption: 710,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 966,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 1.635 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 966,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 1.635 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 30,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 125,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 198 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 125,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 198 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 68.494 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 15.094 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 15.433 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 2.832 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 15.094 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 15.433 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 2.832 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 104.821 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 4.14 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 11.9 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 131 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 131 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
7 state-controlled national TV channels; Polish and Russian TV broadcasts are available in some areas; state-run Belarusian Radio operates 5 national networks and an external service; Russian and Polish radio broadcasts are available (2019)
Internet country code
.by
Internet users
percent of population: 92% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 3.2 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2023 est.)
Transportation5
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
EW
Airports
46 (2025)
Heliports
4 (2025)
Railways
total: 5,528 km (2014)
standard gauge: 25 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
broad gauge: 5,503 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified)
standard gauge: 25 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
broad gauge: 5,503 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified)
Merchant marine
total: 4 (2023)
by type: other 4
by type: other 4
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
Belarus Armed Forces: Army, Air and Air Defense Force, Special Operations Force, Special Troops, Territorial Defense Forces
Ministry of Interior: State Border Troops, Militia, Internal Troops (2025)
Ministry of Interior: State Border Troops, Militia, Internal Troops (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2024: 2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 50-60,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory is comprised mostly of Russian and Soviet-origin equipment; Belarus's defense industry manufactures some equipment (mostly modernized Soviet designs), including vehicles, guided weapons, and electronic warfare systems (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-27 years of age for compulsory military or alternative service; conscript service obligation is 12-18 months, depending on academic qualifications, and 24-36 months for alternative service; 17-year-olds are eligible to become cadets at military higher education institutes, where they are classified as military personnel (2025)
Military - note
the military of Belarus is responsible for territorial defense; Russia is the country’s closest security partner, and the military conducts joint training exercises with Russian forces; in 2022, Belarus allowed the Russian military to stage on its territory for their invasion of Ukraine; in 2023, Belarus agreed to permit Russia to deploy nuclear weapons on its soil
Belarus has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and has committed an airborne brigade to CSTO's rapid reaction force; the military trains regularly with other CSTO members (2025)
Belarus has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and has committed an airborne brigade to CSTO's rapid reaction force; the military trains regularly with other CSTO members (2025)
Transnational Issues2
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 44,621 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 5,620 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 5,620 (2024 est.)
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 3 — Belarus does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Belarus remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/belarus/