Demographic Collapse in belarusian Villages: Mortality Rate Three Times Higher than Birth Rate

Over the past five years, 60 villages have disappeared in belarus, half of them – in Vitebsk region. At the beginning of 2025, there were 22,900 rural settlements in the country, with a population of less than two million people — by 1.3 million fewer than thirty years ago. This is stated by Thinktanks.pro.’s study.

The share of the rural population has decreased to 21 %, compared to a third in the 1990s. Demographic losses are greatest in Vitebsk and Grodno regions, where half of the residents disappeared over three decades. The average age of a rural resident is 48 – five years older than in cities. There are almost no young people: only 17 % of the rural population are under 30 years of age.

The natural decline is sharp: in 2024, 13,300 people were born in villages, while 37,600 died. Twice as many villagers  as city dwellers live below the poverty line – 6 % versus 2.9 %.

Economic activity is declining: only 40 % of rural residents are employed, and the number of employed persons has decreased by 5 % over five years. Infrastructure is shrinking: during this time, 400 shops, 100 restaurants, 178 kindergartens, and 161 schools have disappeared. Only 59  % of rural children attend kindergartens, while in cities, almost all do.

Despite the fact that 97 % of agricultural products are produced by large farms, private farming remains marginal – only 2.9 %. All this makes belarusian villages increasingly empty and aging.