Rhythm and pulse of society. Belarusians highly value peaceful life and results of social policy

The first part of the large-scale sociological research was presented last week in Minsk. The overall level of socio-economic development of their settlement is highly appreciated by 71.2% of respondents. This is a wide range of goods in stores, timely garbage collection, landscaping, the work of schools, kindergartens, health care institutions, as well as relations with neighbors and how the local government works.

According to the results, peaceful life is named one of the main priorities and a source of pride for the people of the country. A few years ago, this thesis was not even introduced into sociological surveys. Today, taking into account hybrid attacks and external threats, the situation around Belarus, peaceful life has become much more important than such basic needs as food quality, agricultural development, medical achievements and space exploration. If you look at the layout by region, almost 95% of residents of the Gomel region, a border region near Ukraine, called peace a priority. As for other interesting details, for example, in the Grodno region, more than 20% of respondents are proud of nuclear energy, and in Mogilev - high quality of industrial products. At the same time, more than half of respondents want to work hard, even if the work is very stressful. If we compare the results of the survey conducted by the Institute of Sociology in 2021, at the beginning of the five-year plan, with the results of the current survey, it becomes obvious that Belarusians openly declare that they have more opportunities to think about buying their own apartment or build their own housing, buy a car, provide their leisure.

First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Belarus Vladimir Pertsov on the program “Editors Club” on the TV channel “Belarus 1” noted that the study was primarily conducted in order to find out the opinion of the people: This is the rhythm and pulse of society, this is its mood, this is the dynamics of changes in certain assessments, certain parameters in our society, which we can observe on this survey. Let’s look at the factors of peaceful life – this question in different interpretations passed through many blocks that the interviewers had. Previously, we treated this, as well as purity, as well as other good template estimates of our country, as natural matter. Now, when we observe military actions from different sides, where an offensive fist is formed, where militant rhetoric and statements are heard, we understand that this should be appreciated and we should thank the President for this, thanks to whom we manage to maintain peace in such difficult conditions. Vladimir Pertsov noted that there were also completely new issues, such as the happiness index, which was surprisingly high in the Vitebsk region.

- The happiest people live in Grodno region. And for some reason, the residents of Minsk feel the most unhappy, where there is everything everyone aspires to. At the same time, we see a very important roll in the dynamics of the desire to move to the city of Minsk in the Gomel region. This figure is 74.2% against the background of 37% of the republican, and then overestimated due to Gomel indicators. But for example, 17.8% want to move from Mogilev to Minsk, and 18.5% want to move from Grodno. We need to think about that. And this will also form the basis for future management decisions and changes that need to be made in the Gomel region, he stressed.

Safety and security remain an absolute priority. The expert community draws attention to the fact that these are important indicators that all elements of the state work synchronously, without failures and interruptions. Peaceful skies and security are not only a military component, but also a large block of social and economic issues. Sergei Musiyenko, the head of the EsooM Analytical Center, said: You know, when the Head of State said for the first time: “Take care of the world,” I observed a deaf misunderstanding. What is he talking about? And now that understanding has arisen because of him. We understand what is happening in the south, we see the klatzang in the west. And in this life of sanctions, in which we found ourselves through no fault of our own or our own will, we are quite worthy of this, and the value for us has become higher than many parameters. The development of regions and the quality of life on the ground is the most important indicator of the socio-economic situation. A lot is being done in Belarus to make life in the countryside as comfortable as in cities, such as providing jobs for residents of small settlements and creating the necessary infrastructure. And we seem to be good at it, with 7 out of 10 people linking their future life to their region.

- When we do research and ask questions, it turns out that the man was born in Vitebsk, works in Minsk, his sister lives in Gomel. There are no contradictions between the regions, and this is our great benefit. Few countries in Europe, in the world, can boast of the result we have. It is important that we preserved it, Sergey Musienko noted.

The state policy in the economic and financial spheres for five years was built correctly, said Alexey Avdonin, Chairman of the Board of the Belarusian Society “Knowledge”. The expert stressed that the figures of social research primarily indicate the population’s trust in the state and the Government, the vector of development that was developed earlier, at a difficult time

- Over the past five years, the number of sanctions and pressure on us as a sovereign state have increased. But despite this, we have steadily developed, improving the well-being of our citizens. People can see what is happening in our neighbours in Europe, Ukraine and the Baltic States. And in these conditions, you immediately realize that you have enough income, you have confidence in the future.

- The answers of the population indicate that our citizens fully support the course of our development. In terms of regions, we see an increase in confidence in the consumption of food, clothing, medicines and medical services. This is an important indicator that the basic needs of Belarusians have been met. This is an important aspect of the classical economy, which demonstrates the overall growth of the welfare of the population in the regions and throughout the country as a whole.

- This is a natural consequence of the state policy aimed at strengthening the development of social infrastructure. Within the framework of the state policy itself, there are a number of priorities that are aimed at improving life on the ground, said Valentin Starichenok, head of the Center for Political Science of the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, on the air of the Belarus 1 TV channel. If you look at the program of social and economic development of the Republic of Belarus, such priorities as strong regions, the creation of a high-quality and comfortable living environment are highlighted there. And all these are not just words, but programs that have their own indicators to achieve. And the state systematically pursues a policy of improving life in the regions.

A large-scale study allowed to measure the pulse of society, to assess the mood. It is important to understand what people live and what they care about. The presentation of the second block on socio-political topics is scheduled for September 16. The final stage of the study will be devoted to the most resonant issues.

Viktor Vatyl, Head of the Department of Political Science and Sociology of Yanka Kupala Grodno State University, Chairman of the Belarusian Society of Political Scientists:

- Social research shows that the residents of Grodno region are more proud of such an achievement of modern Belarus as the preservation of historical memory. This is an absolutely justified result. In Grodno and the region there are many architectural monuments of different historical epochs. The leadership of the region is working hard to preserve our rich heritage. Particular attention is paid to the perpetuation of the memory of heroes, outstanding historical figures and victims of wars, as well as the restoration, reconstruction and restoration of monuments, military graves and other objects of military-historical and cultural-historical heritage. While monuments are being destroyed in other countries and attempts are being made to rewrite history, Belarus carefully preserves the truth and transmits it to other generations. We actively involve students in this work, instilling in them an understanding that the future of the state and the preservation of its sovereignty directly depend on the civic position of the children and respect for the feat of their ancestors.

Nikolai Zvezdkin, Deputy Head for Ideological Work of the Military Transport Faculty at the Belarusian State University of Transport, Candidate of Sociological Sciences, Associate Professor, Lieutenant Colonel:

- The survey showed that the residents of the Gomel region are more proud of the peaceful life and social security of the population. This is a direct reflection of the long-term verified development strategy of the Belarusian state. For our border region, stability and security have always been key values. The Belarusian model of the welfare state puts human interests at the forefront, which is confirmed by the systemic support of territories – from the implementation of large-scale Chernobyl programs to modern infrastructure and economic projects and initiatives. A vivid example of such care is the state program for the development of Pripyat Polesie districts, which gave a powerful impetus to the unique region. Today’s course towards the development of strong regions leads to the fact that each district finds its growth points, creates new jobs and fulfills social obligations. People see these results and value peaceful work and security.

- According to sociological studies, 69 percent of residents of Brest region are proud of the quality of domestic products. For our region, which has a traditionally strong agro-industrial complex and a developed processing industry, an absolutely natural result. As a person working in this industry, I know well that behind such popular recognition is the daily painstaking work of processing enterprises throughout the republic, including our Lyakhovichi cannery. We can say with confidence that the high popularity of Belarusian products is largely a consequence of systemic state policy aimed at ensuring food security and strict adherence to technological discipline. The country managed to preserve the best traditions of the Soviet school - loyalty to GOSTs, natural composition and taste. At the same time, the Belarusian processing industry does not stand still. There is a constant modernization of production lines, the introduction of modern packaging and advanced technologies that allow you to maximize the preservation of natural vitamins and useful trace elements in the final product.