Quick facts
Belarus population overview
Belarus is the 19th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 8,968,524 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.7% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 169 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 61,883 births (6.9 per 1,000 people) and 119,281 deaths (13.3 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 3,587 people. The infant mortality rate is 2.3 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 8,198,000 in 1960 to 9,085,991 in 2025 — a change of +10.8%, or +0.2% per year on average. It peaked at 10,239,050 in 1993 and has declined 12.9% since.
Demographically, the median age is 41.8 years; life expectancy at birth is 75 years; women have on average 1.2 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 15.9% of residents are under 15 and 18.3% are 65 or older (2025); 79.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Minsk. Belarus covers 207,629 km², giving a population density of about 43 people per km². GDP was $93.40B in 2025 — about $10,279 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Belarus population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 8,919,174 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 8,968,524 |
| World rank | #101 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #19 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.1% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.7% |
| Births per year est. | 61,883 |
| Deaths per year est. | 119,281 |
| Net migration per year est. | -3,587 |
| Birth rate | 6.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 13.3 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 2.3 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 87.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 41.8 years |
| Life expectancy | 75 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 79.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 207,629 km² |
| Population density | 43 per km² |
| Capital | Minsk |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $93.40B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $10,279 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Belarus population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 8,919,174 | – | – |
| 2025 | 9,085,991 | -46,638 | -0.5% |
| 2024 | 9,132,629 | -45,669 | -0.5% |
| 2023 | 9,178,298 | -49,773 | -0.5% |
| 2022 | 9,228,071 | -74,514 | -0.8% |
| 2021 | 9,302,585 | -77,367 | -0.8% |
| 2020 | 9,379,952 | -81,124 | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 9,461,076 | -22,760 | 0% |
| 2010 | 9,483,836 | -180,079 | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 9,663,915 | -315,695 | -0.6% |
| 2000 | 9,979,610 | -214,221 | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 10,193,831 | +4,483 | +0% |
| 1990 | 10,189,348 | +214,348 | +0.4% |
| 1985 | 9,975,000 | +332,000 | +0.7% |
| 1980 | 9,643,000 | +276,000 | +0.6% |
| 1975 | 9,367,000 | +327,000 | +0.7% |
| 1970 | 9,040,000 | +430,000 | +1% |
| 1965 | 8,610,000 | +412,000 | +1% |
| 1960 | 8,198,000 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Belarus
Population over time
- From 8,198,000 in 1960 to 8,919,174 today — up 8.8%.
- Population peaked at 10,239,050 in 1993 and is down 12.9% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 74.4 years (2024), up 5.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.2 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 7 births vs 13.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 6.1 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 15.9% of the population is under 15 and 18.3% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 7.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 54.22 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 105.5 Mt in 1990 — down 48.6% since.
- Per person: 5.94 t in 2024, vs 6.66 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,856.5 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 35.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 8.2% of final energy in 2021 (+7.3 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 43.4% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 38.8% to 43.4% since 1992 — roughly 9,517 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 79.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 32.7% in 1960 (+46.8 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1975.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 4.2% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 3,684 m³ in 2022, up 10.7% since 1992.
Economy
- GDP: $93.40B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 65.4% since 2015.
- That works out to $10,279 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3.4% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 6.6% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 94.3% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 131.1 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Belarus in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Belarus in 2026?
As of October 2026, Belarus has an estimated population of 8,919,174. The United Nations estimated 8,968,524 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Belarus growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.7% per year — roughly 169 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 61,883 births and 119,281 deaths, with net migration of -3,587.
What is the population density of Belarus?
About 43 people per square kilometre: 8,919,174 people living on 207,629 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Belarus?
The median age is 41.8 years, and life expectancy at birth is 75 years. 15.9% of the population is under 15 and 18.3% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Belarus rank by population?
Belarus is the 101st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 19th in Europe, with 0.1% of the global population.
How has the population of Belarus changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 8,198,000; by 2025 it had grown to 9,085,991 (+10.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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IsraelSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.