What are the results of the social research on topical issues of social and economic development of Belarus

The first part of the results of a large-scale comprehensive republican sociological study, which deals with topical issues of social and economic development of Belarus, was presented on Thursday in Minsk. On the eve of the National Unity Day, key analytical centers of the country, such as the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies, presented current data on the values and moods of Belarusian society.

The sample was multi-stage, stratified - by region of residence and type of settlement, with control of quotas by sex and age. The study covered all areas of the country. So, in a sociological study conducted in July-August 2026 by the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus commissioned by the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Studies, 2,045 respondents took part, including 22.3% from Minsk, 16.3% from the Minsk region, 14.3% from Gomel, 14.2% from Brest, 11.7% from Vitebsk, 10.7% from Grodno, 10.5% from Mogilev regions. Among them, 78.9% of urban and 21.1% of rural residents. Among the respondents – 55.3% of women and 44.7% of men. They belong to different age groups: 18.6% of participants - 18 - 30 years, 51.8% of participants - from 31 to 57 years in women and 62 years in men, 29.6% - from 58 years in women and 63 years in men. 40.9% of respondents have higher education, 44.2% - vocational, secondary special, 14.9% - basic (up to 9 grades) or secondary general (up to 11 grades) education.

Director of the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences Nikolai Myslivets noted that the first part of the results is devoted to the block of socio-economic issues. Next will be a block on the socio-political situation in the country. The final presentation will be devoted to resonant issues.

- We studied various aspects of the social well-being of the inhabitants of our country. More than 2,000 respondents were interviewed, representing all regions of Belarus. The study involved both men and women, family and non-family people, with different levels of education. The sample population represents the entire country. The study was attended by residents of 99 settlements who shared with interviewers their opinion on how satisfied they are with the living conditions in their village, what are their priorities in terms of work, leisure, value orientations. This palette gives us an opportunity to imagine how modern Belarusians live and how comfortable they feel in their native country. Nikolai Myslivets stressed that the absolute majority of respondents said that today they live in a peaceful, beautiful and very comfortable country, which is dynamically developing at all levels. The quality and quality of our life have increased significantly over the years of sovereignty. This is evidenced by the dynamics of respondents’ opinions. This is an indicator of the changes in the minds of people here and now. Director of the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus drew attention to the fact that the customer of the study initially set a strict condition: to carry out the work so that the participants did not focus on obtaining purely positive results:

- Our task was to identify the most objective situation in society. The tools and techniques we used made this possible.

Deputy Director of BISS Vitaly Punchenko called social research the most significant project in recent years for the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences and the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Studies:

- This is not just research, it is a tool for strategic awareness. The results presented are representative and broad, both in terms of population coverage and the breadth of the questions asked.

According to him, the need for such a comprehensive study is due to many factors.

- First, the reconciliation of the clock at the start of the new five-year plan. The program of social and economic development adopted at the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly is based on popular proposals. Today, it is important to assess the primary results of fulfilling priorities not only by statistical but also by sociological criteria. It is very important right now to keep in touch with citizens, to hear their opinions, aspirations and fears. The world is changing rapidly and waiting for no one. This is not only about unprecedented external turbulence, but also the rapid development of technology. Artificial intelligence is paraded around the world, and Belarus is no exception. Technologies are already changing, and in the near future will even more change the public attitude to the spheres of work, law, communication, said Vitaly Punchenko.

- It is necessary to understand the readiness of society to these changes, to see problem points, to work out reciprocal steps on the part of the state to prevent digital inequality, he said.

Another aspect of the study is related to the approaching Day of National Unity, stated Vitaly Punchenko: - On the eve of the main unifying holiday of the country, it is crucial to see real points of intersection and divergence of interests of young people and pensioners, residents of villages and cities in different parts of our country. It is important to take into account the opinion of everyone and, on this basis, gradually improve our social contract and strengthen public confidence in the state. About what excites

The survey made it possible to understand what achievements of modern Belarus the respondents are proud of. The specific results of the study you will find on the chart on the front page of the newspaper, so let’s just say the main thing. The fact that Belarusians put life under a peaceful sky in the first place is an indicator of understanding the difficulties that exist in the world, recognition of the role of the state and the policy of our President. The same position was held by previous generations – the main thing is that there should be no war. Life shows that this is really the most important value. And the colossal efforts that the state is making, developing the economy, focusing on the younger generation, are all aimed at ensuring a peaceful life.

Other values are also important for Belarusians, in particular social security.

- The state provides us with the appropriate infrastructure, creates opportunities for self-realization, provides preferences and benefits, Myslivets emphasized.

In turn, Vitaly Punchenko drew attention to the fact that the social state is an indisputable value for our society: Belarusians are proud of this and treat it carefully. When we compiled this survey, it was very important to us whether society values what the state does to ensure peaceful life and social security. And we see that society appreciates the efforts of the state. Family and Health – a Priority

For the majority of Belarusians – 80.8% – health is the most important thing in life. According to the head of the EcooM Analytical Center Sergey Musienko, the answer to health is ahead by a huge margin. And this is not a concern, but an understanding of the importance of proper nutrition, sports, regular medical examinations

- I am glad that more than 80% understand this. Of course, I would like young people to understand this as early as possible.

Sergey Musiyenko also drew attention to the fact that the President of Belarus pays great attention to school nutrition, deals with it specifically, since it is the foundation of the nation’s health, and noted that it is difficult to name a country where this issue is given the same close attention. The head of the think tank pointed to a high proportion of responses in favor of the family.

- In total, three indicators – peace of mind, self-realization and interesting work – were indicated by more than 60% of respondents. Agree, peace of mind arises from interesting work and self-realization, said Sergei Musienko.

DEMOGRAPHIC POLITICS

The survey also made it possible to understand how many Belarusians would like to have children and how they see their future. Commenting on the results of this research, Sergey Musiyenko noted that this is a serious issue facing the Belarusian state, and, possibly, an application for the next large-scale study. The expert drew attention to the fact that in the state of New York, the concepts of “mother” and “father” were legally excluded, replacing them with gender neutral ones.

- We must give a worthy response to this trend. This includes sociological work, analytical and legislative decisions, he said.

Respondents were also asked to think about who they would like to see in the future of their children. The responses were grouped by area. According to Sergei Musiyenko, the results show that Belarusian parents do not put pressure on their children, forcing them to choose a certain path: I would like to note the positive trend in terms of the fact that a large percentage of parents want their children to choose a medical or educational profile. In general, these are signs of a healthy nation in our understanding. And we have to maintain that normalcy.

During the survey, the experts also asked the respondents how Belarusians assess their financial situation. Thus, 82.2 percent rated the situation as good. In this regard, Vitaly Punchenko mentioned some trends that deserve attention based on the results of analytical processing. The first is that economic sentiment is moderately optimistic. Citizens recognize and appreciate the results of the social policy of the state. With all the nuances assess their financial situation and the level of development of the country as quite acceptable. It is noteworthy that the villagers assess the material well-being of their families slightly higher than the residents of Minsk, the expert said.

Belarusians rationally distribute their income, count money. A third of respondents use installment or credit options. Approximately the same amount of cash savings in Belarusian rubles. The study recorded a significant difference in currency preferences for accumulation in favor of the Belarusian ruble, said Vitaly Punchenko.

The fourth trend includes the formula of life values of Belarusians. These are health, family, prosperity, spiritual comfort, love and harmony. There is also a trend towards urbanization. Another trend is that demographic attitudes are still restrained.

- For Belarusians, peaceful life, health and family remain the most important reference points. It is these values that determine the sustainability of society and shape people’s attitude to the future. The choice in favor of stability and family priorities was the result of a consistent peace-loving state policy that provides citizens with confidence in the future. Trust in the President is reflected in people’s personal plans: they associate their development, building long-term relations and life prospects with Belarus. In this context, health, family and the very ability to live and work peacefully are seen as fundamental conditions that allow society to develop and maintain sustainable benchmarks.

- Against the backdrop of events in the world, crises in a number of countries and increasing discontent of their citizens, Belarus is witnessing systematic economic growth. Our people not only earn more, but also save more, and in Belarusian rubles. Belarusians do not buy currency convulsively, but, on the contrary, actively surrender it. They have savings. This means that their basic needs are fully met. And when citizens save, they have a vision for the future, confidence in the future and trust in the state. This is a sign of a stable national economy and the result of the socio-economic policy pursued in our country. Belarus is a state for people, not people. Our citizens made the right choice in 1994, choosing a model of development of the country without wars and upheavals, and today they are proud of their peaceful life.

The policy of the state, which has been carried out for three decades, is always focused on improving welfare. Our President always says that the main activities of both the state apparatus and the state should be focused on improving welfare. As a result, we see data from social studies. The numbers are high. First of all, the programs adopted at the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly for the socio-economic development of our country for every five-year plan are yielding results. Sergey Vasiliev, Director of the RSPC “Mother and Child”, father of four children:

- The key task of demographic policy at the moment is the formation of a stable positive attitude towards the family and large families among young people. It is important to start work at the stage of pregnancy planning. Explain that having multiple children is a normal and socially significant pattern. For a long time, social attitudes have shifted under the influence of Western ideas, where the value of personal comfort and the concept of childfree were presented as the preferred choice. This shaped the attitude of having children as a secondary decision that could be postponed. I am convinced that now it is necessary to return attention to family values and show that family creation and professional development can go hand in hand. The results of this work will appear gradually, when life guidelines change and a positive attitude towards large families is fixed. At the state level, everything is being done to ensure that people want and, most importantly, can afford to have not only two (as the results of social research tell us), but also more children.

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We will discuss other details of the study in the following issues.

Photo by Elizaveta Kobetskaya, Maria Amelina, Pavel Bogush, Alexander Kulevsky, BelTA.