Country exposure · BY
Belarus
Europe · Minsk · presidential republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship
What Belarus means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.
$19M
U.S. imports, 2025
-4.3%
change in one year
$18M
U.S. exports, 2025
9M
Population
$76.0B
GDP
In your house
What you buy that Belarus makes
America bought $19M in goods from Belarus in 2025. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.
Photo, service industry machinery
$5M26.2%
Fish and shellfish
fish, shrimp, shellfish
$3M14.9%
Vegetables
vegetables
$2M9.1%
Bakery products
$2M8.4%
Cotton, natural fibers
$1M7.2%
Dairy products and eggs
dairy and eggs
$1M5.4%
Books, printed matter
books and printed materials
$884K4.6%
Tobacco, waxes, etc.
$811K4.2%
Wool, silk, etc.
$631K3.3%
Bauxite and aluminum
aluminum for cans and autos
$379K2%
2026 so far (through April): $6M in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).
The other direction
What America sells to Belarus
$18M in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.
Pharmaceutical preparations
$8Mmedicines and pharmacy items
Medicinal equipment
$2Mmedical devices and equipment
Other foods
$2MCopper
$2MAgric. farming-unmanufactured
$1MLaboratory testing instruments
$652KToiletries and cosmetics
$337Ktoiletries and cosmetics
Nuts
$258KOther industrial supplies
$125KGo deeper
The supply chain view
Belarus sits upstream of 6 essential American goods through 6 tracked inputs.
mineral
13%Potash Ore — Muriate of Potash (MOP / KCl)
mineral
12%Potassium Chloride (Pharmaceutical Grade, KCl)
mineral
11%Potash (Muriate of Potash, MOP — KCl)
mineral
10%Potash (Muriate of Potash / KCl)
manufactured
2%Sawmill cutting tooling
agricultural
2%Sugar beet
Reference
The country itself
Europe · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.
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.
Geography
- Location
- Eastern Europe, east of Poland
- Area
- 207,600 sq km
- Climate
- cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime
- Terrain
- generally flat with much marshland
- Natural resources
- timber, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay
- Coastline
- 0 km (landlocked)
- Natural hazards
- large tracts of marshy land
People & society
- Population
- 9,460,972 (2025 est.)
- Nationality
- Belarusian(s)
- 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% (2019 est.)
- Religions
- Orthodox 48.3%, Catholic 7.1%, other 3.5%, non-believers 41.1% (2011 est.)
- Median age
- 42.5 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth
- 74.7 years (2024 est.)
- Literacy
- 99.9% (2019 est.)
Economy
- 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
- Industries
- metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, synthetic fibers, fertilizer, textiles, refrigerators, washing machines and other household appliances
- Agricultural products
- milk, sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, triticale, barley, maize, rapeseed, rye, chicken (2023)
- Exports - partners
- China 34%, Kazakhstan 10%, Uzbekistan 7%, Poland 6%, Brazil 5% (2023)
- Imports - partners
- China 33%, Poland 16%, Germany 11%, Lithuania 10%, Turkey 9% (2023)
Government
- Government type
- presidential republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship
- Capital
- Minsk
- Independence
- 25 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
- Constitution
- several previous; latest drafted between late 1991 and early 1994, signed 15 March 1994
- Executive branch
- President Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA (since 20 July 1994)
- Legislative branch
- National Assembly (Natsionalnoye Sobranie)
Full reference data
Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.
Introduction
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.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Belarus due to the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of detention, the Russian military attack on neighboring Ukraine, and the buildup of Russian military in Belarus along the border with Ukraine. U.S. citizens in Belarus should depart immediately via commercial or private means. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 3 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required if you stay in the country more than 30 calendar days or if you enter or exit at border crossings other than the Minsk Airport, or if you travel from the Russian Federation. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate
[375] (17) 210-12-83/217-73-47/217-73-48; US Embassy Minsk, 46 Starovilenskaya St., Minsk 220002, Belarus; https://by.usembassy.gov/; ConsularMinsk@state.gov
Telephone Code
375
Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 03; Fire: 01; Police: 02
Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/
Climate
Cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime
Currency (Code)
Rubles (BYB/BYR)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F (all plugs are symmetrical 2 pins)
Major Languages
Russian, Belarusian
Major Religions
Orthodox 48.3%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, other 3.5%, non-believers 41.1%
Time Difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Nyasvizh Castle; Mir Castle; Minsk (includes Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum and Vul Kastrychnitskaya); Homel Palace; Brest Fortress
Major Sports
Ice hockey, athletics (track and field), wrestling, soccer, tennis, swimming
Cultural Practices
Avoid using the "thumbs up" gesture in Belarus; it is considered rude.
Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is entirely discretionary and service charges are not automatically added to the bill. If you want to tip in a restaurant or café, give about 5% of the total amount. A few rubles are a common and appropriate tip for metered taxi drivers.
Souvenirs
Flax/linen items, woodcarvings, leather goods, vodka, chocolate
Traditional Cuisine
Draniki — shallow-fried potato pancakes
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Travel resources
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Geography
Location
Eastern Europe, east of Poland
Geographic coordinates
53 00 N, 28 00 E
Map references
Europe
Area - total
207,600 sq km
Area - land
202,900 sq km
Area - 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
Land boundaries - 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
Elevation - lowest point
Nyoman River 90 m
Elevation - 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.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 27.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 11.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
44% (2023 est.)
Land use - 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
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 and Society
Population - total
9,460,972 (2025 est.)
Population - male
4,414,771
Population - female
5,046,201
Nationality - noun
Belarusian(s)
Nationality - 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.)
Languages - 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)
Age structure - 15-64 years
66.1% (male 3,073,507/female 3,204,088)
Age structure - 65 years and over
17.8% (2024 est.) (male 572,483/female 1,122,231)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
52 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
24.1 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
27.9 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
3.6 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
42.5 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
39.5 years
Median age - 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)
Urbanization - 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
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.06 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
0.96 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.51 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 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.)
Infant mortality rate - male
2.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
1.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
74.7 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
69.8 years
Life expectancy at birth - 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.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 98.1% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 99.2% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 1.9% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
6.6% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - 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.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: rural
rural: 98.3% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural
rural: 1.7% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - 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.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
2.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
0.98 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
4.67 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
2.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
26.4% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
44.5% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - 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)
Child marriage - women married by age 18
4.7% (2019)
Child marriage - men married by age 18
1.6% (2019)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
13.2% national budget (2024 est.)
Literacy - total population
99.9% (2019 est.)
Literacy - male
99.9% (2019 est.)
Literacy - female
99.9% (2019 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
14 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
14 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
15 years (2023 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
Republic of Belarus
Country name - conventional short form
Belarus
Country name - local long form
Respublika Byelarus' (Belarusian)/ Respublika Belarus' (Russian)
Country name - local short form
Byelarus' (Belarusian)/ Belarus' (Russian)
Country name - former
Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic
Country name - 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
Capital - geographic coordinates
53 54 N, 27 34 E
Capital - time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - 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)
Administrative divisions - note
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers; Russian spelling provided for reference when different from Belarusian
Legal system
civil law system
Legal system - note
note: nearly all major codes (civil, civil procedure, criminal, criminal procedure, family, and labor) were revised and came into force in 1999 and 2000
Constitution - history
several previous; latest drafted between late 1991 and early 1994, signed 15 March 1994
Constitution - 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
Constitution - note
note: one of several amendments passed in the February 2022 referendum -- the presidential 5-year, two-term limit -- will be imposed after the 2025 election
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
no
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Belarus
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
no
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
7 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch - chief of state
President Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA (since 20 July 1994)
Executive branch - head of government
Prime Minister Alyaksandr TURCHYN (since 10 March 2025)
Executive branch - cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Executive branch - 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
Executive branch - 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)
Executive branch - 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%.
Executive branch - expected date of next election
2030
Legislative branch - legislature name
National Assembly (Natsionalnoye Sobranie)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber - chamber name
House of Representatives (Palata Predstaviteley)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - number of seats
110 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - electoral system
plurality/majority
Legislative branch - lower chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - lower chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - lower chamber - most recent election date
2/25/2024
Legislative branch - lower chamber - 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)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - percentage of women in chamber
33.9%
Legislative branch - lower chamber - expected date of next election
February 2029
Legislative branch - upper chamber - chamber name
Council of the Republic (Soviet Respubliki)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - number of seats
65 (56 indirectly elected; 8 appointed)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - upper chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - upper chamber - most recent election date
4/4/2024
Legislative branch - upper chamber - percentage of women in chamber
30.5%
Legislative branch - upper chamber - 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)
Judicial branch - 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
Judicial branch - 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
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant; recalled by Belarus in 2008); Chargé d'Affaires Pavel SHIDLOWSKI (since 9 August 2022)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 986-1606
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 986-1805
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
usa@mfa.gov.by 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)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
46 Starovilenskaya Street, Minsk 220002
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
7010 Minsk Place, Washington DC 20521-7010
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[375] (17) 210-12-83
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
[375] (17) 334-78-53
Diplomatic representation from the US - 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)
National holiday - note
note: 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union
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
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)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
Mikhas KLIMKOVICH and Uladzimir KARYZNA/Nester SAKALOUSKI
National anthem(s) - 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)
National heritage - selected World Heritage Site locales
Białowieża Forest (n); Mir Castle Complex (c); Architectural, Residential, and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh (c)
Economy
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) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$254.995 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$244.89 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
4% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
4.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
-4.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$29,000 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$27,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$26,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$75.962 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
5.8% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
15.2% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
6.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
30.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
49.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
56.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
19% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
23.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
65.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-66.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
milk, sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, triticale, barley, maize, rapeseed, rye, chicken (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
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.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
4.817 million (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
3.4% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
3.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
3.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
10.1% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
11.7% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
8.4% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
3.9% (2022 est.)
Population below poverty line - note
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2020
24.4 (2020 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures - on food
29.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures - on alcohol and tobacco
7.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
4.5% (2020 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
20.7% (2020 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2024
1.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2023
1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$22.876 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$21.912 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - note
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt - Public debt 2019
33.2% of GDP (2019 est.)
Public debt - note
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Taxes and other revenues
12.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance - Current account balance 2024
-$1.925 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
-$1.104 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
$2.628 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2024
$49.386 billion (2024 est.)
Exports - Exports 2023
$47.714 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$47.124 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
China 34%, Kazakhstan 10%, Uzbekistan 7%, Poland 6%, Brazil 5% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
fertilizers, rapeseed oil, wood, poultry, beef (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2024
$50.679 billion (2024 est.)
Imports - Imports 2023
$47.459 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$42.438 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
China 33%, Poland 16%, Germany 11%, Lithuania 10%, Turkey 9% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
cars, broadcasting equipment, fabric, plastic products, video displays (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$8.912 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$8.118 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$7.923 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Debt - external - Debt - external 2023
$18.01 billion (2023 est.)
Debt - external - note
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
Belarusian rubles (BYB/BYR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
3.246 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
3.007 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
2.626 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
2.539 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
2.44 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
12.653 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
39.883 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - exports
4.553 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - imports
4 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
3.149 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
70% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - nuclear
26.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - wind
0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - hydroelectricity
0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - biomass and waste
1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy - Number of operational nuclear reactors
2 (2025)
Nuclear energy - Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors
2.22GW (2025 est.)
Nuclear energy - Percent of total electricity production
28.6% (2023 est.)
Coal - consumption
710,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - exports
966,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
1.635 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - total petroleum production
30,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
125,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - crude oil estimated reserves
198 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas - production
68.494 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
15.094 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - imports
15.433 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - 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.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
4.14 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
46 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
11.9 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - 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.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
35 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
EW
Airports
46 (2025)
Heliports
4 (2025)
Railways - total
5,528 km (2014)
Railways - standard gauge
25 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
Railways - broad gauge
5,503 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified)
Merchant marine - total
4 (2023)
Merchant marine - by type
other 4
Military and Security
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)
Military and security forces - note
note: in early 2023, President LUKASHENKA ordered the formation of a new volunteer paramilitary territorial defense force to supplement the Army
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
1.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - 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 service age and obligation - note
note: conscripts can be assigned to the military, to the Ministry of Interior, or to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (alternative service)
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)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
44,621 (2024 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons - 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/
Environment
Environmental issues
soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine
International environmental agreements - party to
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Climate
cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime
Land use - agricultural land
39.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 27.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 11.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
44% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
16.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
80.7% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
46.709 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
1.497 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
15.884 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
29.328 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
13.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
4.28 million tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
19% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
600 million cubic meters (2022)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
430 million cubic meters (2022)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
385 million cubic meters (2022)
Total renewable water resources
57.9 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)