Belarus

The population of Belarus is approximately 9M (2024).

The capital of Belarus is Minsk.

Belarus's GDP per capita is $9K (2024).

Life expectancy in Belarus is 74.37 years (2024).

Belarus covers 207,600 km² (80,155 sq mi).

Belarus is sparsely populated, averaging 44 people per km², below the global average of 60.

Belarus's population is shrinking at 0.5% per year — one of the few countries seeing sustained decline.

Based on GDP per capita, Belarus falls in the upper-middle GDP-per-person tier at $9K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Belarus reports a low intentional homicide rate of 2.4 per 100,000 people, below the global average.

Belarus has 2 official languages: Belarusian, Russian.

Belarus uses the Belarusian ruble (Br) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Belarus are June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.

Current estimates place the population of Belarus at approximately 9.04 million people. This reflects a recent annual growth rate of -0.5%, resulting in a population density of about 44.5 people per km² (115.3 per sq mi). Globally, the country holds a population rank of 99 out of 215 tracked nations.

The economy shows a recent annual GDP growth rate of 4.01%, with a projected GDP per capita of $8,998. According to the latest data, Belarus ranks 107 of 212 globally for GDP per capita and 44 of 46 within Europe. The unemployment rate is currently 3.38%, which ranks 132 of 186 countries globally.

Belarus maintains exceptional educational standards, with an adult literacy rate of 99.87%. This performance places the nation at a rank of 9 out of 170 countries globally. Educational achievement is reflected in a highly skilled workforce, supporting a high internet usage rate of 94.26% among the general population.

Yes, Belarus is a landlocked nation in Eastern Europe with a total area of 207,600 km² (80,155 sq mi). It shares borders with five countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. Without a coastline, the country relies on its river networks and international land routes for trade.

The official languages are Belarusian and Russian, with Russian being widely used in urban centers and government. Recent demographic data indicates that 83.7% of the population identifies as ethnically Belarusian, while Russians make up about 8.3%. Other significant minorities include Poles at 3.1% and Ukrainians at 1.7%.

Belarus currently holds a global population rank of 99 out of 215 countries. In its regional context, it ranks 18th in Europe and 3rd in Eastern Europe. This ranking reflects its status as a moderately sized nation within the European continent and the post-Soviet space.

The estimated 2026 population density of Belarus is 44.5 people per km² (115.3 per sq mi). This density places the country at a rank of 158th globally. Most of the population is concentrated in urban centers, while large areas of the country remain covered by forests and marshlands.

The population is currently declining at an annual rate of approximately -0.50%. This trend is primarily driven by a natural decrease, as the crude death rate of 13.136 per 1,000 people exceeds the crude birth rate of 7.031. This demographic contraction has been a consistent trend since 1994.

The latest fertility rate for Belarus is 1.217 births per woman, which is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1. This places the country 195th in the world for fertility. Such low birth rates are a major factor in the country's ongoing population decline and aging demographic profile.

Approximately 79.16% of the population in Belarus lives in urban areas. This high level of urbanization ranks the country 62nd globally. The capital city, Minsk, is the largest urban center and serves as the primary hub for the country’s economic, cultural, and political life.