Belarus' Annual Revenue: A Comprehensive Overview

Belarus is an upper-middle-income economy with a strong emphasis on full employment and a dominant public sector. The average salary in Belarus is around 2,271 BYN (Belarusian rubles) per month, which is equivalent to several hundred US dollars. However, salaries vary widely depending on the sector, with IT, finance, and logistics typically offering higher pay. The capital city, Minsk, also showcases higher average wages compared to other regions. Belarus has a very affordable public transportation system, with local transport tickets costing just 0.80 BYN and taxi tariffs starting at 3.90 BYN. The country's economy has been affected by various factors, including inflation and changes in the global economy, but it has maintained a steady level of income for its workforce.

Average monthly salary

The average monthly salary in Belarus varies depending on the source and the month in question. According to the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus, as of January 2023, the average monthly salary was 1,684.90 BYN (previously BYR) or approximately 667 USD per month. However, Salary Explorer reports a higher median salary of 2,530 BYN/month.

The average salary in Belarus can range from a minimum of 554 BYN/month (as of January 2023) to a maximum of 13,100 BYN/month. The minimum wage is determined by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus.

Breaking this down by profession, the highest salaries are in mining and IT, with average monthly salaries of 3,781 BYN (1,180 USD) and 3,171 BYN (990 USD) respectively. In contrast, creators, postal and courier services, and educators have some of the lowest median salaries, earning between 1,000 BYN (313 USD) and 1,098 BYN (343 USD) per month.

It is worth noting that salaries can vary depending on factors such as location, years of experience, education, and job title.

Income compared to other countries

The average salary in Belarus is lower than that of many Western European countries, but it is competitive with some neighbouring Eastern European nations and countries with similar levels of economic development. Belarus's average wage is significantly lower than that of highly developed economies such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan. It is also well below the average income in Western European countries like Germany, France, and the UK. However, when compared to some countries in regions like South Asia or Africa, Belarusian salaries might seem more competitive.

Belarus's average monthly salary across all sectors is in the lower-middle range when compared to European standards. A typical Belarusian employee can expect to earn a few hundred US dollars per month, though this is subject to change based on economic conditions and exchange rates. As of 2024, the average salary in Belarus is about 2,271 BYN (Belarusian rubles). In 2023, the median wage was 2,530 BYN/month.

In the context of Eastern Europe, Belarusian wages often fall behind those of its more economically liberal neighbours, such as Poland and the Baltic states, which have seen their economies grow and salaries increase after integrating more closely with the European Union.

The cost of living in Belarus is fairly low compared to many other European countries. For example, in Minsk, the cost of living for a family of four without rent is around 4,403.08 BYN (USD 1,744). If the family moves to any of the rural areas around Minsk, the overall cost of living can drop significantly. Food prices are also reasonable, with 1L of milk costing roughly 1.79 BYN (USD 0.71) and a 500g loaf of fresh white bread costing 1.43 BYN (USD 0.57).

The Belarusian economy is an upper-middle-income mixed economy. It is the world's 74th-largest economy by GDP and, in 2018, Belarus ranked 53rd out of 189 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index.

Salary by sector

The average salary in Belarus differs across sectors and regions. The average monthly salary across all sectors is in the lower-middle range compared to European standards, with the average employee earning several hundred US dollars per month. This figure is subject to changes in the economic climate and exchange rates. As of 2024, the average salary in Belarus is about 2,271 BYN (Belarusian rubles).

Public Sector vs Private Sector

Public sector employees generally earn lower wages than those in the private sector. The private sector offers more competitive salaries due to its profit-driven nature.

IT, Finance, and Telecommunications

Sectors like IT, finance, and telecommunications typically offer higher salaries. IT professionals, including software developers, system architects, and cybersecurity experts, are in high demand and command competitive salaries. Finance experts such as financial analysts and investment advisors are also well-compensated for their expertise.

Manufacturing and Agriculture

The manufacturing and agriculture sectors may offer lower wages. Workers in manufacturing roles, including assembly line workers and engineers, can expect salaries ranging from 2,000 to 3,500 BYN per month, depending on their skills and experience. Those in agriculture, including farmers and agricultural technicians, typically earn between 700 and 1,500 BYN per month, depending on seasonal factors and crop yields.

Healthcare

Healthcare professionals in Belarus, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, earn salaries based on their qualifications and experience. Doctors may earn between 2,500 and 4,000 BYN per month, while nurses typically earn between 1,000 and 1,800 BYN.

Education

Educational professionals, including teachers and university lecturers, earn salaries ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 BYN per month. University professors may earn higher salaries, from 1,500 to 3,000 BYN, depending on their expertise and research contributions.

Mining

The mining industry in Belarus has the highest average salary in the country, with a median salary of 3,781 BYN per month.

Other Sectors

Other sectors in Belarus, such as customer support, administration, arts and culture, car industry, chemical industry, construction, economy and finance, electrical engineering, human resources, journalism, law, marketing, mechanical engineering, medicine, pharmaceutical industry, public administration, quality management, security, service industries, technology development, textile industry, top management, tourism, translating and interpreting, transport and logistics, water management, and wood processing industry, offer salaries that vary depending on the specific job role and geographic location.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Belarus is relatively low compared to many other countries. The average salary in Belarus is around BYN 1,684.90 (Belarusian Ruble) per month, which is approximately USD 667 per month. This is less than the average salary in the United States and other European countries.

Family of Four:

• Estimated monthly costs without rent: USD 1,744 (BYN 4,403.08)
• Estimated monthly costs: USD 5,359 (BYN 6,543)

Single Person:

• Estimated monthly costs without rent: USD 461 (BYN 1,508.7)
• Estimated monthly costs: USD 3,224 (BYN 3,224)

Specific Expenses:

• Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: USD 25-30
• McMeal at McDonald's or equivalent fast-food combo meal: USD 5-6
• Domestic beer (1 pint draught): USD 1.54
• Imported beer (12 oz small bottle): USD 1.43-2
• Cappuccino at a cafe: USD 2.5-3
• Coca-Cola/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle): USD 0.6-0.8
• Gallon of milk: USD 0.71
• Loaf of fresh white bread (1 lb): USD 0.57
• Rice (1 lb): USD 0.8-1
• Chicken fillets (1 lb): USD 2.5-3
• Beef round (1 lb) or equivalent back leg red meat: USD 5-6
• Water (1.5-liter bottle): USD 0.5-1
• Bottle of wine (mid-range): USD 6-8
• Domestic beer (0.5-liter bottle): USD 0.8-1
• Cigarettes (20 pack of Marlboro): USD 2.5-3
• One-way ticket for local transport: USD 0.32
• Monthly public transport pass: USD 20-25
• Starting fare for a taxi (normal tariff): USD 1.54-3
• Taxi fare per mile: USD 0.35-0.5
• Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for a 915 sq ft apartment: USD 100-150
• Mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ data: USD 10-15
• Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL): USD 10-15
• Fitness club monthly fee for one adult: USD 20-30

Housing:

Housing costs in Belarus are significantly lower than in the United States. Rent in Belarus is, on average, 79.3% lower than in the United States.

• Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city centre: USD 350-450
• Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the centre: USD 250-350
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city centre: USD 650-800
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the centre: USD 450-600

Education:

• Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, monthly for one child: USD 150-200
• International primary school, yearly for one child: USD 5,000-10,000

Clothing and Accessories:

• 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar): USD 50-75
• 1 summer dress from a high street store (Zara, H&M, or similar): USD 30-50
• 1 pair of Nike running shoes (mid-range): USD 70-100
• 1 pair of men's leather business shoes: USD 50-75

Transportation:

• Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or equivalent new car): USD 25,000-30,000
• Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6L 97kW Comfort (or equivalent new car): USD 20,000-25,000

Groceries:

• Milk (regular), 1 gallon: USD 0.71
• Loaf of fresh white bread (1 lb): USD 0.57
• Rice (1 lb): USD 0.8-1
• Chicken fillets (1 lb): USD 2.5-3
• Beef round (1 lb) or equivalent back leg red meat: USD 5-6
• Water (1.5-liter bottle): USD 0.5-1
• Bottle of wine (mid-range): USD 6-8
• Domestic beer (0.5-liter bottle): USD 0.8-1
• Imported beer (12 oz small bottle): USD 1.43-2
• Apples (1 kg or 2.2 lb): USD 1-1.5
• Tomatoes (1 kg or 2.2 lb): USD 1-1.5
• Potatoes (1 kg or 2.2 lb): USD 0.5-1
• Cheese, local (0.5 kg or 16 oz): USD 5-7

Healthcare:

• Cold medicine for 6 days: USD 5-10
• Antibiotics (12 doses): USD 5-10
• Short visit to a private doctor (15 minutes): USD 20-30

Personal Care:

• 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, or similar): USD 2-3
• Deodorant, roll-on (50ml or 1.5 oz): USD 2-3
• Shampoo (400ml or 12 oz): USD 2-3
• 4 rolls of toilet paper: USD 1-2
• Standard men's haircut: USD 3-5

Economic growth

Belarus has an upper-middle-income mixed economy, which is the 74th largest in the world by GDP. As a post-Soviet transition economy, Belarus has retained centralised political and economic controls, eschewing privatisation. The Belarusian economy has been described as a welfare state or market socialist.

The country's economy has experienced fluctuations due to various factors, including inflation and changes in the global economy. However, it has maintained a steady level of income for its workforce over the years. The average salary across all sectors is in the lower-middle range compared to European standards, with the average employee earning several hundred US dollars per month. As of 2024, the average salary is about 2,271 BYN (Belarusian rubles).

The Belarusian economy has several key characteristics and sectors that contribute to its overall performance and growth:

• Industrial Sector: Manufacturing has been a pillar of the economy, with industries producing tractors, heavy trucks, oil, metal-cutting lathes, synthetic fibres, TV sets, semiconductors, and microchips. The industrial sector has experienced dynamic growth, with a significant contribution to GDP growth.
• Agriculture: Belarus has a strong agricultural sector, producing potatoes, flax, hemp, sugar beets, rye, oats, wheat, dairy, beef, and poultry.
• Service Sector: The service sector attracts a significant portion of foreign direct investment, with nearly 80% of FDI geared towards services from 2002 to 2007.
• Information Technology (IT): The IT sector has experienced significant growth, driven by a skilled workforce and a favourable investment climate. IT professionals are in high demand and command competitive salaries.
• Healthcare: Healthcare specialists, particularly in critical fields like cardiology, neurology, and anesthesiology, earn high salaries due to the nature of their work and their advanced qualifications.
• Education: Educational professionals, including teachers and lecturers, earn salaries based on their qualifications and experience. University professors with specialised fields of expertise may earn higher salaries.
• Minimum Wage: Belarus has a minimum wage to ensure workers can afford a basic standard of living. As of 2024, the minimum gross monthly wage is BYN 626.
• Regional Disparities: Urban centres like Minsk, Gomel, and Brest offer higher salaries and more economic opportunities than rural areas. The cost of living is also higher in these urban areas, impacting the salary requirements for a comfortable livelihood.
• Economic Development and Infrastructure: Urban centres benefit from robust infrastructure, attracting businesses and stimulating job creation, which leads to higher salaries. Rural regions often face infrastructure challenges, hindering economic progress and resulting in lower average salaries.
• Global Market Conditions: Belarus's economic ties with other countries, particularly Russia, can impact domestic salaries, especially in export-driven industries.
• Exchange Rates: Fluctuations in exchange rates can affect the real value of salaries, as the Belarusian ruble is not widely used internationally.
• Government Policies: Minimum wage legislation, tax policies, and other labour laws can directly or indirectly influence salary levels.

Overall, Belarus's economic growth is influenced by a combination of domestic and external factors, including industrial performance, foreign investment, global market trends, and government policies. The country's diverse economic sectors, such as manufacturing, agriculture, services, and IT, contribute to its overall growth and development.

Frequently asked questions