World Happiness Report for Belarus 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Belarus: na
- Happiness Score Belarus:na
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Belarus. BY.
Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe.
- It has a presidential republic political structure.
- Belarus is known for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional music and dance.
- It has a significant impact in the production of agricultural and industrial goods for the region.
Belarus: A Comprehensive Overview
Early History and Kingdoms
The territory of modern-day Belarus was initially inhabited by Slavic tribes in the 6th century. The Principality of Polotsk, one of the earliest Slavic states, emerged in the 9th century and played a significant role in the region’s history. Later, the lands of Belarus came under the control of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and then became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Colonial Period
Belarus did not experience a traditional colonial period. However, in the late 18th century, its territories were absorbed into the Russian Empire following the partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Independence and Modern Era
Belarus gained independence in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The country’s modern era has been marked by the authoritarian rule of President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994. Belarus has faced international criticism for human rights violations and suppression of dissent.
Current Political Situation
Belarus is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a strong executive branch. Alexander Lukashenko has been the president since 1994, and his regime is often described as a dictatorship. Recent elections have been widely criticized as undemocratic, and Belarus faces international sanctions for human rights abuses and lack of political freedoms.
International Relations
Belarus has close ties with Russia, with whom it forms a union state. It has strained relations with the West and the European Union due to its human rights record and lack of democratic reforms. Belarus is a member of several regional organizations, including the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union.
Human Development and Economy
Belarus has a relatively high Human Development Index ranking. Its economy is largely state-controlled and relies heavily on industrial production and exports of machinery, chemicals, and agricultural products. The country has faced economic challenges due to structural issues and international sanctions.
Cultural Highlights
Belarus has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its Slavic roots and history. The country is known for its folk traditions, including intricate embroidery, woodcarving, and pottery. The Belarusian language and Eastern Orthodox Christianity are integral parts of the national identity.
Challenges and Opportunities
Key challenges facing Belarus include political repression, economic stagnation, and international isolation. Opportunities lie in potential democratic reforms, diversification of the economy, and improved relations with the West.
Main facts
1. Location
Belarus is a landlocked country located in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, Lithuania to the northwest, and Latvia to the north.
2. Map References
Belarus is situated in Eastern Europe.
3. Area – Comparative
With an area of 207,600 square kilometers (80,200 square miles), Belarus is slightly smaller than the state of Kansas in the United States.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Belarus shares land borders with the following countries:
- Russia: 959 km (596 mi)
- Ukraine: 975 km (605 mi)
- Poland: 416 km (258 mi)
- Lithuania: 679 km (422 mi)
- Latvia: 141 km (88 mi)
5. Coastline
Belarus is a landlocked country and does not have a coastline.
6. Maritime Claims
As a landlocked country, Belarus has no maritime claims.
7. Climate
Belarus has a continental climate with cold winters and cool, humid summers. The climate varies from maritime in the west to more continental in the east.
8. Terrain
The terrain of Belarus is predominantly flat and contains many marshes. The highest point is Dzyarzhynskaya Hara at 345 meters (1,132 feet) above sea level.
9. Elevation Extremes
Highest Elevation: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara, 345 meters (1,132 feet)
Lowest Elevation: Neman River, 90 meters (295 feet)
10. Natural Resources
Belarus has limited natural resources, including peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay.
11. Major Bodies of Water
The major rivers in Belarus are the Neman, the Pripyat, the Dnieper, and the Western Dvina/Daugava. Major lakes include Narach, Osveyskoye, and Drisviaty.
12. Natural Hazards
Natural hazards in Belarus include floods and occasional severe storms.
13. Geography – Notes
Belarus is a relatively flat country with vast marshlands. It suffered significant environmental damage from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, with around 20% of its territory contaminated by radioactive fallout.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 42.60%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 58,28. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 42.00%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 53.70980727.953389.
- Capital: The capital of Belarus is Minsk
- Major Cities:
- Minsk – 1,982,444
- Gomel – 481,197
- Mogilev – 358,467
- Vitebsk – 378,459
- Grodno – 373,547
- Brest – 347,939
- Population: 9,466,856
- Area(Km2): 207600
- Population Density( P/Km²):47. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:375
- Official Language(s):Belarus is predominantly Russian speaking with 70% of the population.
- Currency: BYN
Main Economic Indicators
Belarus has a relatively small and open economy that has historically been heavily influenced by Russia. It is characterized by a high degree of state intervention, with the government playing a significant role in the economy. Key economic challenges include low productivity, an aging population, and a reliance on energy imports. Notable economic policies include maintaining a pegged exchange rate and providing subsidies to state-owned enterprises.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
2021: 9.5% (Source: National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus)
2020: 5.6% (Source: National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: B (Stable)
Moody’s: B3 (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: B (Stable)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 6.6%
Industry: 28.7%
Services: 64.7%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Meat, milk, potatoes, vegetables, flax, sugar beets, rye, wheat, barley, rapeseed.
Industrial Products: Machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, crude oil, metal products, textiles, foodstuffs.
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 4.4 million (2021 estimate)
Comparative Ranking: 87th globally
Current Account Balance
2021: -$1.7 billion (Source: National Bank of the Republic of Belarus)
2020: $1.1 billion (Source: National Bank of the Republic of Belarus)
Comparative Ranking: 152nd globally (2021)
Exports and Imports
Exports: $38.7 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: Russia, Ukraine, China, Germany, Poland
Main Commodities: Machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs, wood
Imports: $45.1 billion (2021 estimate)
Key Partners: Russia, China, Germany, Poland, Ukraine
Main Commodities: Mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $8.7 billion (as of December 2021)
Gold Reserves: 8.1 million troy ounces (as of December 2021)
- GDP (Current US$):$63,080,457,023. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 14.70%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 53.30%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $0.60. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $1.49. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 4.59%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Nationality: noun – Belarusian(s), adjective – Belarusian
2. Ethnic Groups
- Belarusian – 83.7%
- Russian – 8.3%
- Polish – 3.1%
- Ukrainian – 1.7%
- Other – 3.2%
3. Religions
- Eastern Orthodox – 48.3%
- Catholic – 7.1%
- Other – 3.5%
- Non-religious – 41.1%
4. Age Structure
- 0-14 years – 16.1%
- 15-64 years – 69.8%
- 65 years and over – 14.1%
5. Dependency Ratios
Total dependency ratio: 43.6%
Youth dependency ratio: 23.1%
Elderly dependency ratio: 20.5%
6. Median Age
Total: 40 years
Male: 36.9 years
Female: 43.1 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
Obesity rate: 24.5% of the adult population
Alcohol consumption: 15.1 liters of pure alcohol per capita (among the highest in the world)
Tobacco use: 24.3% of adults smoke tobacco
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 74.2. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 99.7%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:9.9. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:17. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 1.45. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 73.6%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 7,482,982. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):34.50%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
Belarus maintains a military force consisting of three main branches:
- Belarusian Ground Forces – The largest service, with motorized infantry, artillery, and special forces units.
- Belarusian Air and Air Defence Force – Operates fighter aircraft, transport planes, and air defense systems.
- Belarusian Navy – A small naval force focused on riverine operations along the Dnieper River.
The country also has Internal Troops, a paramilitary force under the Ministry of Interior responsible for internal security, crowd control, and protecting key government installations.
Military Expenditures
Belarus’ military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2022: 1.2%
- 2021: 1.2%
- 2020: 1.2%
- 2019: 1.2%
- 2018: 1.2%
Belarus ranks among the lower half of countries globally in terms of military expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
Personnel Strengths
Belarus has approximately 62,000 active-duty military personnel, with the following breakdown by service branch:
- Ground Forces: 37,000
- Air and Air Defence Force: 18,000
- Navy: 7,000
The Internal Troops paramilitary force has an additional 120,000 personnel.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Belarus’ military equipment inventory includes:
- Domestically produced armored vehicles, artillery systems, and air defense systems
- Imported tanks, aircraft, and air defense systems from Russia
The country is currently upgrading its aging Soviet-era equipment and has plans to acquire new fighter jets and air defense systems from Russia in the coming years.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Belarus has a mandatory military service requirement for males aged 18-27, with a service period of 12-18 months. The country also has a voluntary contract-based military service option.
Military Deployments
Belarus currently has a small contingent of peacekeeping forces deployed as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Strategic Military Notes
Belarus’ defense strategy is focused on territorial defense and maintaining close military ties with Russia, its primary ally. The country’s military plays a role in regional security through participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russia-led military alliance.
Belarus has allowed Russian military forces to use its territory during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, highlighting the country’s strategic importance for Russia’s security interests in the region.
- Armed Forces Size: 45400. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 5.19
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 64.10%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.