Living In Belarus: Is It A Good Choice?

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, formerly part of the Soviet Union. It is not a popular destination for expats due to its isolation from the international community and its authoritarian government. However, it has a rich history, a unique culture, and picturesque natural beauty. The pace of life in Belarus is slower than in more developed nations, and the cost of living is significantly lower than in Western Europe and the US. The country has a good public transport system, and expats can enjoy a high quality of life at a low cost. However, the standard of healthcare is not as high as in other countries, and there are limited international schools. While the people of Belarus are known for their kindness and friendliness, there is a notable lack of political freedom in the country, and widespread human rights violations have been condemned by the West.

Healthcare: Free for basic needs and emergencies, but not up to expat standards

Healthcare in Belarus

Healthcare in Belarus is free for most basic needs and emergency care, through state-funded hospitals and local clinics. However, the standard of healthcare may not be up to the standards that expats are used to. Expats requiring significant medical treatment may need to seek it abroad.

The system is funded through income taxes, with working people contributing to the funding of their healthcare and having the right to access it. The standard of healthcare is good and improving year on year. Belarus performs reasonably well in major public health indicators. For example, over 99% of the country has access to improved drinking water, 94% have improved sanitation, and its infant mortality rate is 3.6 deaths per 1,000 births. In comparison, the United States has an infant mortality rate of 5.7 per 1,000 births.

Health insurance plans are available privately or through your workplace to cover additional medical needs. Non-urgent procedures such as cosmetic or dental work are not included in the state-funded healthcare, and expats will need to have achieved full resident status to be able to claim healthcare.

Cost of living: Affordable, with a high quality of life at a low cost

Belarus offers a high quality of life at a low cost. The country is significantly cheaper than Western European countries and the US. Minsk, the capital, ranked 212th out of 226 cities in the 2024 Mercer Cost of Living Survey.

Accommodation, public transport, and groceries are affordable in Belarus. The cost of schooling is on par with the rest of Europe. Locals and expats in Belarus enjoy an above-average standard of living at a well-below-average cost. The pace of life in Belarus is typically slower than in more developed nations, and some services and products may not be as readily available. Expats often purchase items online.

Healthcare in Belarus is cheap and easily accessible for routine treatments and check-ups. However, for significant medical treatment, expats may need to seek healthcare abroad as the quality is not up to the standards most are used to. Belarus has free healthcare for basic medical needs and emergency care through state-funded hospitals and local clinics. Health insurance plans are available privately or through workplaces for additional medical needs. The standard of healthcare is good and improving each year.

The cost of alcohol and clothing can be expensive in Belarus. The country's economy is largely state-controlled, with approximately half of the local population employed by state-controlled companies. An increasing number of young people are fluent in English, but it is still essential for expats to learn the local language, as Russian and Belarusian are the official languages.

Language: English is not widely spoken, so learning Russian or Belarusian is essential

English is not widely spoken in Belarus, so learning Russian or Belarusian is essential for effective communication. Russian and Belarusian are the official languages of the country, and while some Belarusians do speak English, the level of fluency varies and is often basic at best.

The ability to speak Russian or Belarusian is crucial for navigating daily life in Belarus. These languages are predominantly used in social and professional settings, with Russian being the more commonly spoken of the two. Russian is the language of social advancement, held by leadership positions and widely spoken in cities. Belarusian, on the other hand, is more prevalent in rural areas and among the older generation. It is worth noting that there is also a mixed language called Trasianka, which combines elements of both Russian and Belarusian.

For expats or foreigners living in Belarus, learning the local language is essential for integration and accessing opportunities. While young people may have a better understanding of English, the chances of finding fluent speakers are slim. Additionally, street and public transport signs are typically written in Cyrillic, so a basic understanding of this script will be beneficial for getting around.

The need to learn Russian or Belarusian extends beyond everyday communication. Healthcare services, for example, may be more accessible and affordable for locals, but expats requiring significant medical treatment may need to seek it abroad due to the lower standards of healthcare in Belarus. This highlights the importance of being able to navigate administrative and medical processes in the local language.

Furthermore, the job market in Belarus is largely controlled by the state, with approximately half of the local population employed by state-controlled companies. Expats seeking employment will likely encounter Russian or Belarusian as the primary languages in the workplace, especially in sectors like manufacturing, which is a major contributor to the economy.

In conclusion, while Belarus may offer a unique cultural experience and a high quality of life at a low cost, the language barrier is a significant factor to consider. Learning Russian or Belarusian is essential for anyone planning to live in Belarus, enabling them to fully immerse themselves in the local culture, access essential services, and effectively navigate all aspects of daily life.

Culture: Belarusians are reserved but kind, friendly and good-humoured

Although Belarusians are reserved upon first meeting someone new, they are known for their kindness, friendliness, and good humour. They are also said to be polite, calm, and incredibly welcoming to foreigners, going out of their way to ensure their guests feel welcome and happy.

The pace of life in Belarus is typically slower than in more developed nations, and some services and products may not be as readily available. However, the country has good internet connectivity, and expats often purchase items online. Belarusians tend to buy their goods in towns and cities at markets and local shops, and they enjoy socialising and having fun.

The country has a rich history and culture, and Belarusians are proud of their heritage. They are keen to show off the positives of their culture to foreigners. The academic year in Belarus runs from September to July and is similar to that of other European countries. The country has a high standard of education, with adult literacy rates close to 100%, and students spend an average of 15 years in the educational system.

Belarusians speak Russian and Belarusian, and an increasing number of young people are fluent in English. However, it is essential for expats to learn the local language as very few people speak English.

Politics: Belarus is a repressive country with limited freedom of the press

Belarus is a politically repressive country with limited freedom of the press. The country has been described as "Europe's most dangerous country for journalists until Russia's invasion of Ukraine". This is largely due to the authoritarian rule of Alexander Lukashenko, who has been the head of state since 1994. Under his leadership, the government has frequently repressed the opposition and independent media outlets. Lukashenko has been referred to as "Europe's last dictator" by media outlets.

The Belarusian constitution prohibits censorship, yet it is enforced by several laws. For example, insulting the president is punishable by up to five years in prison, and criticising Belarus abroad can result in up to two years of imprisonment. The Ministry of Information of Belarus, established in 2001, serves as the country's media regulator. Licensing and registration procedures are opaque and politicised. Since 2009, all media outlets, including websites, must register or face blockage. This has forced independent publications to use foreign-based internet domains.

The government routinely harasses and censors independent media, subjecting them to systematic political intimidation, especially when reporting on the deteriorating economy and human rights abuses. Journalists are often harassed, detained, and even killed for reporting on unauthorised demonstrations or working with unregistered media outlets. Most local independent outlets regularly practice self-censorship to avoid repercussions.

The state maintains a virtual monopoly on domestic broadcast media, with only state media broadcasting nationwide. The content of smaller television and radio stations is tightly restricted. The government has banned most independent and opposition newspapers from being distributed through the state-owned postal and kiosk systems, forcing them to rely on alternative distribution methods.

The Belarusian authorities have changed laws to legitimise attacks on press freedom. The justice system, under complete government control, now equates independent journalism with "extremism", which is punishable by up to seven years in prison. Most independent media outlets have been officially declared "extremist" and either forced to cease operations or operate from outside the country.

The repression of press freedom was particularly evident during the 2020-2021 Belarusian protests, when several independent journalists were arrested and subjected to violence. The authorities used state-sponsored terrorism, including censorship, violence, mass arrests, and coordinated raids, to silence independent journalists. They even resorted to hijacking a passenger jet in May 2021 to arrest opposition journalist Raman Pratasevich and force him to make a public confession.

The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) has been a target of the government's repression. In July 2021, its registration was revoked as part of a broader attack on non-governmental organisations. According to the BAJ, about 400 journalists have been forced into exile, and those who remain in the country often work clandestinely, facing constant harassment, arrests, and mistreatment.

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