Country Profile: Belarus

Belarus, located in Eastern Europe, has a land area of about 207,600 square kilometers and is landlocked, bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The country has a population of approximately 9.46 million (2025 est.), with a significant portion residing in urban areas, particularly the capital, Minsk. Governed as a presidential republic, Belarus has evolved into a centralized authoritarian state under President Alyaksandr Lukashenko since 1994, with ongoing political repression and limited civil liberties. Economically, Belarus relies heavily on state-driven sectors and has faced challenges due to declining Russian energy subsidies and rising public debt.

Geography

Belarus is characterized by its generally flat terrain, significant marshland, and a climate that experiences cold winters and cool, moist summers. The country is rich in natural resources, including timber and some small quantities of oil and natural gas. It features numerous rivers, with the Dnieper being the longest.

Area: 207,600 sq km
Land boundaries: 3,599 km with countries including Russia (1,312 km) and Ukraine (1,111 km).
Natural hazards: Large tracts of marshy land.
Climate: Transitional between continental and maritime.

People and Society

Belarusian society is predominantly ethnic Belarusian (83.7%) and speaks mainly Russian (71.4%) and Belarusian (26%). The country has a relatively high urbanization rate, with around 80.7% of its population living in urban areas. However, demographic challenges persist, with a negative population growth rate projected for the coming years.

Population: 9,460,972 (2025 est.)
Median age: 42.5 years (2025 est.)
Life expectancy: 74.7 years (2024 est.)
Urban population: 80.7% of total population (2023)

Economy

Belarus's economy is undergoing stress due to declining Russian energy subsides and high inflation rates. Agriculture, services, and industry are the main sectors contributing to the GDP. Yet, the overall economic outlook remains fragile due to rising public debt and external pressures.

GDP (PPP): $265.22 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita: $29,000 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.4% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate: 5.8% (2024 est.)
Labor force: 4.817 million (2024 est.)

Government

Belarus is officially a presidential republic but functions as an authoritarian regime. President Alyaksandr Lukashenko, in power since 1994, has consolidated control over the government, with restrictions on political freedoms becoming more severe, especially following the contested elections in 2020.

Capital: Minsk
GDP contribution by government consumption: 19% (2024 est.)
Next presidential election: Expected in 2030
Number of administrative divisions: 6 regions and 1 municipality.

Military and Security

Belarus maintains a military force consisting of various branches, and its defense policies are closely aligned with Russia. The military, engaged in joint exercises with Russian forces, plays a key role in territorial defense, especially in the context of the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.

Active-duty military personnel: Approximately 50-60,000 (2025)
Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Mandatory service age: 18-27 years for compulsory military service.
Defense partnerships: Active member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994.

Energy

Belarus relies on both fossil fuels and nuclear power for energy generation, with a notable portion coming from fossil fuels. The country is also working towards increasing its nuclear energy capabilities, which plays a significant role in its energy strategy.

Electricity access: 100% (2022 est.)
Total petroleum production: 30,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy’s share in electricity production: 28.6% (2023 est.)
Installed electricity capacity: 12.653 million kW (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental concerns in Belarus include soil pollution from agricultural practices and the lingering effects from the Chornobyl disaster. The country participates in numerous international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these challenges.

Carbon dioxide emissions: 46.709 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Forested area: 44% of land use (2023 est.)
Municipal solid waste recycled: 19% (2022 est.)
Total water resources: 57.9 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Transportation

Belarus has a developed transportation infrastructure including roads, railways, and airports. The country is strategically located, making it a transport hub in Eastern Europe.

Total railways: 5,528 km (2014)
Airports: 46 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code: EW

Communications

The communication sector in Belarus is growing, with a high penetration of mobile telephony and internet access. However, the media landscape remains heavily controlled by the government.

Internet users: 92% of the population (2023 est.)
Total mobile cellular subscriptions: 11.9 million (2024 est.)
Fixed-line telephone subscriptions: 4.14 million (2024 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,460,972	(2025 est.)
Area	207,600 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$265.22 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	3.4%	(2024 est.)
Inflation rate	5.8%	(2024 est.)
Life expectancy	74.7 years	(2024 est.)
Military expenditures	2% of GDP	(2024 est.)
Electricity access	100%	(2022 est.)
Urban population	80.7%	(2023)
Total energy consumption per capita	104.821 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)