Exploring Belarus' Population: Current Numbers And Insights

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. As of 2024, Belarus has a population of around 9 million people. The country has a hemiboreal climate and is divided into six administrative regions. Minsk, the capital and largest city, is administered separately as a city with special status.

Population density

Belarus has a population density of about 43 to 45 people per square kilometre (113.8 to 116 people per square mile). This makes it the world's 84th most densely populated country.

Belarus's total land area is 202,910 km2 (78,344 sq. miles) or 207,600 km2 (80,200 sq. miles). The country is divided into six regions, or oblasts: Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev, and Minsk. Minsk, the capital and largest city, is administered separately from the Minsk oblast.

The population of Belarus is not evenly distributed, with 83.6% or 78.4% living in urban areas. Minsk, the capital, is home to about one-fifth of the country's population. The urban population is estimated at 7,573,523 or 7,212,405 people.

Belarus has been undergoing a process of continuous urbanisation. The rural population's share of the total population decreased from 70% in 1959 to less than 30% in the 2000s. The country was originally predominantly agrarian, with nearly 80% of its population living in rural areas.

The population density of Belarus can also be compared to that of other countries. For example, Belarus is nearly as big as Romania and the UK but has a lower population density than both countries.

Population decline

Belarus has a population of around 9.1 million people as of 2024. The country's population has been in a steady decline since 1999, when it reached 10 million. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including economic issues, political instability, and emigration.

One of the main reasons for the population decline in Belarus is the country's economic struggles. Since gaining independence in 1991, Belarus has faced economic challenges, including industrial production plunges and high inflation rates. The country has a history of state-controlled industries and has maintained close economic ties with Russia, which has led to trade disputes and economic sanctions. Belarus's economic woes have resulted in high unemployment rates and a brain drain, with many skilled workers leaving the country in search of better opportunities.

Additionally, political instability and authoritarian rule have also contributed to the population decline. The country has been led by a highly centralized and authoritarian government, often described as "Europe's last dictatorship." The lack of political freedom, civil liberties, and freedom of the press have pushed many Belarusians to emigrate, particularly those with higher education and skills.

The population decline in Belarus is also a result of low fertility rates and an aging population. The fertility rate in Belarus is well below the replacement rate, and the median age is around 40.9 years. The country has a negative natural growth rate, with more deaths than births. This is partially due to the aftermath of World War II, which saw a significant drop in population, and the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which contaminated about one-fifth of Belarus's land and had long-term health consequences.

Furthermore, urbanization and rural-to-urban migration have also played a role in the population decline. Belarus has been undergoing a continuous process of urbanization, with the rural population decreasing from 70% in 1959 to less than 30% in the 2000s. People have been moving from rural areas to cities, particularly the capital, Minsk, in search of better economic opportunities and urban amenities.

The population decline in Belarus has had social, economic, and political implications. It has led to labor shortages in certain sectors, impacted the country's demographic structure, and influenced its political landscape. The government has implemented various measures to address the population decline, including encouraging childbirth and providing incentives for families. However, the decline continues, and it remains to be seen what long-term strategies will be employed to mitigate its effects.

Urbanisation

The population of Belarus is currently around 9 million people, with estimates ranging from 9,033,631 to 9,455,037. Belarus is the 100th most populous country in the world, making up about 0.11% of the total world population. The country's population density is 45 people per square kilometre or 116 people per square mile.

Belarus has been undergoing a process of continuous urbanisation. In 2023, the urban population of Belarus remained at around 80.73% of the total population, the highest it has been in the observed period. This figure is up from 75% in 2011 and 70% in 1959. The rural population has decreased from 30% in the 2000s to less than 20% in 2023. This shift from rural to urban living is due to the country's transition from being highly agrarian before World War II, with nearly 80% of its population in rural areas, to a more urbanised society.

The urbanisation of Belarus has been influenced by various factors, including economic and social changes. After World War II, the country experienced a large influx of workers from other parts of the Soviet Union, such as Russians and Ukrainians, who settled in urban areas. Additionally, the rural population has been declining due to factors such as the decline in the number of inhabitants aged 0-4, which fell by 29.3% between 2019 and 2024.

The urban population of Belarus is expected to continue growing, with the United Nations Population Division projecting an urban population growth rate for the country. This growth may be driven by factors such as economic opportunities, infrastructure development, and the concentration of services and amenities in urban centres.

The urbanisation of Belarus has had, and will continue to have, significant impacts on the country's economy, society, and environment. It shapes the distribution of resources, the development of communities, and the overall landscape of the nation.

Age demographics

As of 2023, the population of Belarus is approximately 9.4 million people. Belarus has a relatively aging population, with a median age of 40.6 years. This is largely due to a low birth rate and improving life expectancy rates.

Over the years, Belarus has experienced a gradual shift in its age structure, moving towards an older population. Those aged 65 and above make up about 16.2% of the total population, while only 14.7% are under 14 years old. This aging trend is influenced by several factors, including improved healthcare and living standards, resulting in longer life expectancies, and a decrease in fertility rates.

The country's birth rate currently stands at 9.4 births per 1,000 people, which is relatively low compared to the global average. This contributes to a slow population growth rate, which is projected to remain stable or decline slightly in the coming years. The majority of the population, approximately 69.1%, falls within the 15 to 64 age bracket, indicating a significant proportion of working-age individuals.

Female population is slightly higher than that of males, with 53.4% females and 46.6% males. This gender imbalance is more pronounced in the older age groups, as females tend to have a higher life expectancy than males. The sex ratio at birth is more balanced, indicating that the imbalance arises as the population ages.

Urban areas tend to have a younger age structure compared to rural regions. This is due to the migration of younger individuals to cities in search of better economic opportunities and the concentration of universities and higher education institutions in urban centers. However, the overall aging trend is still evident in both urban and rural areas.

To address the challenges posed by the aging population, such as the strain on social security and healthcare systems, the Belarusian government has implemented various measures. These include encouraging immigration to bolster the workforce, providing incentives for larger families, and developing programs to support the elderly and improve their quality of life.

Ethnic composition

Belarus has a population of around 9 million people, with ethnic Belarusians accounting for about four-fifths (84-85%) of the country's population. Belarusians share a distinct ethnic identity and language, but they have not historically enjoyed unity and political sovereignty. The territory that is now Belarus has been partitioned and changed hands repeatedly, influencing the country's demographics.

Russians are the second-largest ethnic group, making up around one-tenth (7.5-8%) of the population. Many Russians migrated to Belarus during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s when it was known as the Belorussian S.S.R. and part of the Soviet Union. Russian is also one of the country's official languages, along with Belarusian.

Poles make up the third-largest ethnic group in Belarus, comprising around 3.1% of the population. Historically, before World War II, Poles constituted 1-2% of the population, but this number increased significantly after the war due to border changes and population displacement.

The remaining population includes Ukrainians (1.5-1.7%), Jews (0.1%), and smaller numbers of Latvians, Lithuanians, Tatars, Armenians, Lipka Tatars, Ruska Roma (Russian Gypsies), Azerbaijanis, and others (2.2%).

Prior to World War II, Jews were the second-largest ethnic group in Belarus, constituting 7-8% of the total population and more than half of the urban population. However, the Holocaust decimated the Jewish population, and postwar emigration further reduced their numbers to around 0.1% by 2009.

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