Making A Living In Belarus: Citizens' Strategies

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus has a population of 9.41 million, with the majority of its population being ethnically Belarusian. The country has a hemiboreal climate and is divided into six regions. The capital and largest city is Minsk, which is administered separately as a city with special status.

The country has a developing economy, with a GDP per capita of $18,100, ranking it 66th out of 214 nations. Belarus' economy is largely state-controlled, with 70% managed by the government. The country has oil reserves and exports refined petroleum, mainly to Russia, in return for inexpensive natural gas. Belarus has an above-average standard of living, with a low cost of living compared to Western European countries. The country has excellent healthcare, with residents having the option to choose between free or paid healthcare services.

Oil reserves and refinement

Oil Reserves

Belarus has proven oil reserves, with an estimate of 198 million barrels as of 2016, ranking 56th in the world. This accounts for about 0.01% of the world's total oil reserves. Belarus's oil reserves are equivalent to four times its annual consumption, which means that without imports, there would be about four years' worth of oil left, based on current consumption levels.

The country's oil deposits are found in a single oil and gas basin, the Pripyat Basin, which covers an area of 10,000-20,000 square kilometres. Within this basin, the two potentially exploitable deposits are Lyuban and Turov, estimated to contain 0.9 and 2.7 billion tonnes of oil shale in place, respectively. Up to 3.6 billion tonnes of recoverable reserves are concentrated within this basin.

Oil Refinement and Exports

Belarus has the capacity to refine petroleum, which it exports, mainly to Russia. This trade in fossil fuels contributes to the country's GDP per capita, which was $18,100 in 2019, ranking Belarus 66th out of 214 nations. The country's standard of living is above average, and its energy strategy includes a focus on reducing import dependency by developing local energy sources.

Energy Security and Diversification

Belarus's high dependence on Russian oil and natural gas imports makes energy efficiency and renewable energy development essential. The country is working towards energy independence and import supply diversification as strategic goals up to 2035. Belarus plans to reduce Russian supplies from 90% to 70% of total energy imports and decrease the share of natural gas in electricity and heat energy production.

Shale Oil and Other Energy Sources

Shale oil is a significant but undeveloped energy resource in Belarus, with an estimated 8.8 billion tonnes, and up to 3.6 billion tonnes of recoverable reserves in the Pripyat Shale Basin. Oil shale in Belarus remains largely unexplored due to its high ash and sulphur content, low heat of combustion, and high extraction and processing costs. However, the depletion of conventional petroleum and natural gas reserves, as well as a high reliance on imported hydrocarbons from Russia, have renewed interest in oil shale exploration.

In addition to oil, Belarus has identified brown coal reserves and peat reserves, with potential for commercial development in some areas. The country also has natural gas reserves and recoverable resources, as well as potential for nuclear power.

Healthcare

Belarus has a commitment to the principle of universal access to healthcare, provided free at the point of use through predominantly state-owned facilities. However, there is also a paid healthcare option, which offers faster access to doctors and hospitals. The standard of healthcare in Belarus is good, with the country ranking 98 out of 100 on the Social Progress Index for medical care, on par with other first-world countries like the US, the UK, Australia, and Germany.

The country has achieved much in the fight against certain diseases and has placed modern medical equipment in many hospitals, including an expert division of orthopedic doctors. However, there is a lack of specialised doctors and huge queues at clinics. According to the Health Minister, Vasil Zharko, some cities are missing up to 40% of the necessary medical staff. Furthermore, a large percentage of the existing staff are either retired, due for retirement, or interns.

The average salary of health workers, according to official statistics, is $325, and doctors often have to work one and a half full-time jobs to make ends meet. As a result, some doctors are leaving the profession or the country. In neighbouring Poland, health workers earn three times more than in Belarus.

The Belarusian healthcare system is supervised by the Ministry of Health and funded by general taxation through the National Health Service. It is inexpensive and easily available, although specialised care is rare. There is a network of daycare clinics in the cities and mobile clinics in rural areas. However, quality healthcare is concentrated around urban areas, leading to an inequality of health services in rural areas.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised Belarus for its leadership and efforts to improve its healthcare system, and the country has achieved good results in the immunisation of children, the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and child and maternal mortality. No mothers died during childbirth in Belarus in 2015.

However, the country's isolation from the global healthcare community has been criticised, and the average life expectancy in Belarus is lower than in neighbouring countries. Alcohol abuse is also a major public health issue, with Belarusian men drinking an average of 27.5 litres of alcohol per year, compared to the worldwide average of 6.2 litres.

Leisure time

Belarusians place a lot of emphasis on leisure time and its value. This means that, whatever your niche hobby, you're likely to find a facility or group that caters to it.

Most of the metropolitan cities offer a wide range of activities and experiences for adults, such as world-class theatre shows and Broadway shows. But there are also plenty of other activities that are fun for the whole family.

Belarus has a well-developed transport system, so tourists and residents need not worry about travel if they don't own a vehicle. The railway system has over 2,100 destinations on state-of-the-art trains that offer transport to regional areas and international destinations. Residents can travel in business or economy class, and tickets are generally affordable. The country also has buses and minibusses that travel in and around major cities, rural areas, and even internationally.

Transport

Belarus has a well-developed transportation system, making it simple and affordable to travel around the country. The country offers a fantastic public service network, including railways, bus routes, tram lines, and private hire taxis.

Railway Transport

Travelling by train is one of the most comfortable and reliable options in Belarus. The country's railway system offers urban, regional, interregional, and international lines, with over 2,100 destinations. Belarusian Railways provides a convenient format of passenger transportation, with business and economy class options available. Tickets are affordable, costing around $7-10 for a long-distance journey. They can be purchased at stations, booked by phone, or bought online, with some lines offering digital tickets.

Road Transport

The road network in Belarus is also an efficient way to travel. City transportation in major urban areas, such as Minsk, is made easier with a single travel ticket that covers all aspects of your journey, available from local news stands and outlets. For those travelling by car, there is an electronic toll collection system called BelToll, which allows road users to pay for travel without stopping at collection points.

Air and Water Transport

As a comparatively small country, Belarus does not have regular domestic air flights. The National Airport Minsk welcomes international flights, connecting the capital with many countries. Existing airports in other cities welcome charter flights, cargo aircraft, and emergency landings. Water transport is also available, with ten river ports and several waterways open. However, the demand for passenger transportation by water is low, and there are only a few journeys offered each week. During the warm season, water sightseeing tours are popular, with travels arranged in several cities and national parks.

Urban Transport

In Minsk and other cities, mass transit systems are widely available, including buses, trolleybuses, trams, private buses, and taxis. Minsk is also home to Belarus's only metro system. Tickets for public transport are inexpensive, costing around $0.85 for a single trip, and seasonal tickets for multiple travels are also offered.

Education

The current structure of the educational system was established by decree in 1994 and is based on The Education Code of the Republic of Belarus and other educational standards. The Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) finds that Belarus is fulfilling 90.8% of what it should be for the right to education based on the country's income level.

Pre-school Education

Pre-school education is not compulsory, but around 70% of children attend kindergarten (at ages 3 to 5) before they start school. Nursery (at ages 1 to 2) is also available but is less popular as maternity leave in Belarus lasts for three years. Some kindergartens are specialised to work with psycho-physically challenged children to help them socialise. However, very few kindergartens teach in the Belarusian language, and some parents experience difficulties trying to find a Belarusian-speaking kindergarten.

Primary and Secondary Education

The majority of children are educated in the Russian language, and some regions have no schools that teach in Belarusian. Belarusian schools use administrative resources to enrol pupils into the state-controlled BRSM youth union.

Higher Education

Higher education has been in constant growth since 1991. In 2011, 4,725 per 10,000 citizens were undergraduates. Belarus has also adopted the ECTS system, allowing more student mobility. There are 55 higher education institutions (45 state-owned and 10 private). To enter a higher educational establishment, a student must pass three centralised tests (and get up to 100 points per test).

In 2003, university admission tests were replaced by Centralised Testing (CT). To enter a university, an applicant needs to present up to three test certificates in different academic disciplines. The number of certificates depends on the chosen specialty and the presence of internal exams.

In 2023, Belarus approved a new set of rules for the admission process to improve the system of selecting applicants. The main innovation is the introduction of Centralised Exams (CE) which serve as school graduation exams and university admission exams. This will significantly cut the number of tests an applicant has to take. Two centralised exams – one in the Belarusian/Russian language and the other in a chosen discipline – will be mandatory for all school graduates. Centralised Testing (CT) will remain but will only be mandatory for those who want to enter higher learning institutions.

The higher education system in Belarus is seen as prestigious due to its high quality and affordability. There are four main types of higher education establishments to choose from, which can be either private or state-operated: classical university and profile university or academy. Most courses run for 4-6 years, and aspiring students can choose from several forms of learning: during the day or evening, in-class or by distance education. Grants are available for full-time students, and scholarships are awarded to very gifted students.

Frequently asked questions