Belarus' Minimum Wage: How Much Do Workers Earn?

The minimum wage in Belarus is a topic of interest, especially when comparing salaries and cost of living across different countries. As of 2024, the minimum gross monthly wage in Belarus is BYN 626, which is approximately €169 per month or USD 195.85 per month. This amount is determined by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus and is subject to periodic revisions. The minimum wage in Belarus is among the lowest compared to other countries, ranking 86th out of 122 in a list of national minimum wages.

Minimum wage in Belarus in 2024

The minimum wage in Belarus is set nationally and is reviewed annually. As of 2024, the minimum gross monthly wage is BYN 626, or approximately USD 195.85. This rate came into effect on January 1, 2024, and is an increase from the previous year's rate of BYN 554 per month. The minimum wage is determined by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus, with input from employers and trade unions. It is established based on several factors, including economic opportunities, the needs of workers, the employment rate, and the forecast of consumer price growth.

The minimum wage in Belarus is among the lowest in the world. According to the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus, the average salary in the country is around BYN 1,684.90 per month, which is approximately USD 667. However, salaries vary significantly across different industries, job roles, and geographic locations. For example, salaries in urban centres like Minsk tend to be higher than in rural areas due to heightened economic activity and more job opportunities.

Belarus's manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of its economy, and workers in this sector can earn salaries ranging from BYN 2,000 to BYN 3,500 per month. In contrast, workers in the agriculture sector typically earn between BYN 700 and BYN 1,500 per month. Professionals in the IT sector, such as software developers and data analysts, can expect to earn higher wages, ranging from BYN 2,500 to BYN 4,000 per month.

The cost of living in Belarus is relatively low compared to many other European countries. For example, in Minsk, the cost of living for a family of four without rent is around BYN 4,403.08 per month. Food prices are also reasonable, with essential items like milk and bread being affordable for most residents.

In conclusion, while the minimum wage in Belarus provides a foundational level of income for workers, there are opportunities for higher earnings in certain industries and urban centres. The country's salary landscape also offers a range of benefits, including a low cost of living and a skilled workforce, making it an attractive destination for outsourcing and business development.

Minimum wage in Belarus in USD

The minimum wage in Belarus is set by the government and is subject to change periodically to reflect economic shifts, such as inflation. As of 2023, the minimum wage in Belarus was 554 BYN (Belarusian rubles) per month, equivalent to 195.85 USD per month. This figure is determined by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus and enforced through labour regulations to ensure workers can afford a basic standard of living.

The minimum wage in Belarus has seen an increase from the previous year, with a maximum rate of 400 BYN per month and a minimum of 0.2 BYN per month. This change is greater than the 10% CPI of 2021, resulting in an improvement in workers' buying power. Despite these adjustments, Belarus ranks 86th out of 122 countries in terms of national minimum wage, placing it among the countries with the lowest minimum salaries.

The average salary in Belarus differs across sectors and regions, with urban centres like Minsk, Gomel, and Brest offering higher salaries due to greater economic activity and job opportunities. In these urban areas, salaries can range from 2,000 to 4,000 BYN per month, providing a relatively comfortable standard of living. In contrast, rural areas generally experience lower average salaries, typically ranging from 700 to 900 BYN per month. This disparity is attributed to fewer job opportunities and reduced living costs outside of cities.

The cost of living in Belarus is relatively low compared to other European countries. For instance, in Minsk, a family of four can expect to spend around 4,403.08 BYN (USD 1,744) per month, excluding rent. Basic necessities such as food and transportation are also affordable, with milk costing roughly 1.79 BYN (USD 0.71) per litre and a local transport ticket priced at 0.80 BYN (USD 0.32).

In summary, the minimum wage in Belarus, as of 2023, is 195.85 USD per month, with the country ranking among those with the lowest minimum salaries globally. The average salaries vary across sectors and regions, with urban centres offering higher wages and rural areas facing lower earning potential. Nevertheless, the cost of living in Belarus is generally affordable, making it an attractive outsourcing location for businesses.

Minimum wage in Belarus in BYN

The minimum wage in Belarus is a state-mandated minimum social standard in the field of remuneration. It is determined as a sum per hour and per month. The monthly minimum wage is set at the national level by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus, in collaboration with employers and trade unions, and is reviewed annually. As of January 1, 2024, the minimum gross monthly wage in Belarus is 626 BYN, or Belarusian New Rubles. This is an increase from the previous year, where the minimum wage was 554 BYN/month in 2023. The minimum wage in Belarus is determined by considering various factors, including economic opportunities, the needs of workers, the employment rate, the forecast of consumer price growth, and the average monthly wage in the country.

The hourly minimum wage is calculated by dividing the monthly minimum wage by the ratio of the calculated working time in a calendar year to the number of months in that year. Employers are obliged to compensate employees if their wages are lower than the minimum wage. The Labour Code of the Republic of Belarus stipulates that the full norm of working time cannot exceed 40 hours a week.

The minimum wage in Belarus is among the lowest in the world, ranking 86th out of 122 countries. It is worth noting that Belarus exhibits notable disparities in salary levels between urban and rural regions. Major cities like Minsk offer higher salaries and a more comfortable standard of living, with average monthly salaries ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 BYN. In contrast, rural areas often experience lower average salaries, typically ranging from 700 to 900 BYN per month.

The average salary in Belarus is around 1,684.90 BYN per month, as published by the National Statistical Committee. This amount is approximately USD 667 per month, according to April 2023 exchange rates. However, salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as industry, job role, location, experience, and education.

How does Belarus' minimum wage compare to other countries?

Belarus's minimum wage in 2022 was €169 per month or €2,028 per year. In Belarusian rubles, the minimum wage was 482.3 BYN per month. This is a 28.61% increase from the previous year, which is greater than the 10% CPI of 2021.

Compared to other countries, Belarus's minimum wage is quite low. It is ranked 86th out of 122 countries, placing it among the countries with the lowest minimum salaries.

For example, the minimum wage in the United States is approximately USD 7,900 per month, which is significantly higher than Belarus's minimum wage. Similarly, other European countries have higher minimum wages than Belarus, making it an attractive outsourcing location for businesses.

The minimum wage in Belarus for 2023 was 554 BYN/month or USD 195.85/month. As of January 1, 2024, the minimum wage increased to BYN626.00 per month.

How often is Belarus' minimum wage revised?

The minimum wage in Belarus is determined by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus and is revised annually from January 1. The rate is determined with the participation of republican associations of employers and trade unions, at the proposal of the National Council on Labor and Social Issues.

The minimum wage in Belarus was last revised on January 1, 2024, increasing from BYN554.00 to BYN626.00 per month. This is equivalent to approximately USD 122.44 per month, as of January 2023. The minimum wage in 2022 was €169 per month or 482.3 Belarusian rubles per month, a 28.61% increase from the previous year.

The monthly minimum wage is determined by considering various factors, including the economic opportunities of the state and employers, the needs of workers in material goods and services, the employment rate and operational efficiency, the forecast of consumer price growth, and the level of the nominal average monthly wage in the country.

The hourly minimum wage is calculated by dividing the monthly minimum wage by the ratio of the calculated working time of the calendar year and the number of months in the calendar year. Any changes in the monthly minimum wage must be reviewed and adjusted by the employer.

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