Belarus' Population Decline: Reasons Behind The Drop

Belarus is facing a population decline, with a growth rate of -0.03% in 2020. The country's population has been decreasing since the 1990s, excluding a brief period of stabilisation between 2010 and 2019. The primary causes of this decline are low fertility rates, high infant and child mortality, and emigration. The population is also ageing, which will have significant economic implications as a smaller working-age population will need to support a growing number of pensioners.

Low fertility rates

The population of Belarus has been declining since the 1990s, with a brief period of stabilisation from 2010 to 2019. One of the key factors contributing to this decline is low fertility rates.

In 1994, the fertility rate in Belarus was estimated at 1.88 children per woman, a rapid drop from previous years. This decrease in fertility has had a significant impact on the overall population growth, as the number of births fails to keep up with the number of deaths and emigration. The birth rate has continued to decline, with recent reports indicating a birth rate of 1.5 children per woman, which is lower than the European Union average of 1.6. This trend is not unique to Belarus, as many other Eastern European countries are also experiencing similar demographic shifts.

There are several factors contributing to the low fertility rates in Belarus. One significant factor is the difficult economic situation in the country. The challenging economic conditions make people reluctant to have children, as they may struggle to provide for their families. Additionally, there are fears of birth defects due to environmental pollution, especially after the Chornobyl accident in 1986. These concerns further discourage people from starting or expanding their families.

Poor maternal health, inadequate prenatal care, and the frequent use of abortion as a means of birth control have also contributed to the low fertility rates. These issues have impacted the infant mortality rate, which was estimated at 18.9 per 1,000 live births in 1994. While there have been some improvements, such as a decrease in infant mortality in recent years, other factors like poor maternal health continue to pose challenges.

The government of Belarus has implemented a pronatal policy to encourage women to have more children. However, these efforts have not been successful in significantly increasing the birth rate. The economic difficulties and fears of birth defects due to environmental pollution remain significant deterrents for many people considering starting a family.

Poor maternal health

The new government of the Republic of Belarus implemented several health resolutions between 2005 and 2010 to address this issue, including a focus on reducing maternal mortality rates. They built health facilities in rural areas to improve access to healthcare for expectant mothers and created a multileveled perinatal care system with the support of the head of state, who approved the allocation of funds. This initiative included employing almost 2,700 obstetrician-gynecologists to treat around 4.8 million women of fertile age. Additionally, monetary allowances were introduced as incentives for pregnant women to visit doctors within the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy, resulting in a 93.5% increase in prenatal visits during the first trimester. These efforts led to a significant decrease in the maternal mortality rate, which fell to four out of every 100,000 live births by 2015.

Despite these improvements, maternal health care in Belarus still faces challenges. The country's economy, closely tied to Russia, has experienced difficulties, and there is a heavy government influence on most economic divisions, making it hard for small businesses to succeed. These factors can impact the availability of resources and the quality of healthcare. Furthermore, the current president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has been criticised for his human rights record, and the country's demographic policies have been described as inconsistent and ineffective.

Poor prenatal care

Prenatal care is essential for ensuring healthy pregnancies and positive birth outcomes. However, social, economic, and political factors in Belarus have created barriers to accessing adequate prenatal care. For instance, the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in economic and social upheaval, causing stress on the public health infrastructure and impacting the availability and quality of healthcare services.

Moreover, maternal lifestyle factors, such as nutrition and substance abuse, have been linked to adverse birth outcomes. Economic limitations may hinder pregnant women from accessing proper nutrition, such as prenatal folic acid supplementation, which is crucial for fetal development. Additionally, cigarette smoking during pregnancy has been associated with reduced infant birth weight, increased preterm births, and higher infant mortality rates.

The quality of prenatal care also plays a significant role. Inadequate or ineffective healthcare can increase the risk of infant mortality and negatively impact birth outcomes. This was particularly evident following the collapse of the Soviet Union, where healthcare resources became scarce, and the quality of care decreased due to lower morale and higher absenteeism among medical personnel.

Furthermore, education and awareness about prenatal care are vital. Maternal education empowers women to make informed decisions and seek appropriate healthcare services during pregnancy. However, in Belarus, there may be a lack of awareness or access to information about the importance of prenatal care, further contributing to poor prenatal health.

To address the issue of poor prenatal care in Belarus, comprehensive approaches are necessary. These may include improving healthcare infrastructure, ensuring the availability of essential resources, and providing ongoing training and support for healthcare professionals. Additionally, increasing access to prenatal education and resources for pregnant women can empower them to take control of their health and make informed decisions.

By prioritising prenatal care and addressing the underlying social and economic factors, Belarus can improve birth outcomes, reduce infant mortality rates, and positively impact its population decline.

Abortion as birth control

Abortion has been a popular method of birth control in Belarus since the Soviet era. In 1995, abortions exceeded live births at a rate of two-to-one. However, the abortion rate has been steadily declining since the 1990s, falling by over 75% between 1995 and 2008. As of 2010, the abortion rate was 14.7 abortions per 1000 women aged 15-44 years. This decline in abortions is likely due to an increase in the use of modern contraceptive methods, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal contraception (pills).

The liberal abortion laws in Belarus allow for abortions on request up to 12 weeks and for a variety of reasons until 28 weeks. These laws have not changed significantly since the post-Soviet period. However, in 2014, the Belarus government passed legislation allowing doctors to refuse to conduct abortions to combat the country's declining population.

While the use of modern contraceptives has been increasing, there are still inadequacies in contraceptive knowledge and practices. This is evident in the high proportion of couples using traditional methods of contraception, which are less effective than modern methods. Additionally, the influence of the Orthodox Church, which campaigns against reproductive health and rights, may also impact contraceptive use.

The Belarusian government has implemented some measures to encourage childbirth and address the country's population decline. However, these policies have been inconsistent and ineffective, and the population continues to decrease.

Emigration

Emigration is a significant factor contributing to the population decline in Belarus. The country has experienced a net loss of citizens to emigration, with more people choosing to leave than immigrate. This has resulted in a "brain drain," where skilled and educated individuals leave the country in search of better economic opportunities and living conditions.

From 2005 to 2009, approximately 30,000 Belarusians left their homeland, according to official data. However, these figures are often disputed by independent experts, as they do not include important categories of migrants such as labour migrants to Russia, who may constitute the biggest Belarusian migration group. The true extent of emigration from Belarus is, therefore, likely to be higher than the official statistics suggest.

The reasons for emigration from Belarus are complex and multifaceted. Economic factors play a significant role, as Belarus has faced difficult economic conditions, including high unemployment, limited job opportunities, and a lack of economic growth. Many Belarusians, especially those with higher education and skills, seek better career prospects and higher incomes in other countries.

Political factors have also influenced emigration trends. The consolidation of an authoritarian regime in Belarus has led to a decline in political and civil freedoms, as well as concerns over human rights abuses. This has prompted some Belarusians, particularly those with opposing political views, to seek refuge and better political stability in other countries.

Furthermore, the sharp decline in the use of the Belarusian language under the Lukashenka regime has contributed to the emigration of some Belarusians. Speaking Belarusian was associated with opposition to the pro-Russian regime, leading to the exclusion of its speakers from politics and public life. As a result, some Belarusians may have chosen to emigrate to countries where they can freely use their native language and express their cultural identity.

The impact of emigration on Belarus's population decline is significant. It contributes to the country's "graying" population, as younger individuals of childbearing age leave, resulting in a lower birth rate and an aging population. Emigration also reduces the number of working-age individuals, impacting the country's economic productivity and tax revenue.

Frequently asked questions