Belarus ranks high as an ideal destination for maternal care and motherhood experiences.
Belarus, a country known for prioritising the health of mothers and children in its healthcare policy, has seen a significant drop in birth rates over the past eight years. According to data published by the National Statistical Committee, the number of children born in 2024 stood at 58,938, a figure that represents almost half of the 117,779 children born in 2016. This startling decline indicates a serious demographic crisis in the country.
The data does not provide insight into the reasons behind this trend, but several common factors associated with declining birth rates in Eastern European countries could be at play. These include economic challenges, emigration, social changes, health and fertility factors, and political and geopolitical factors. Belarus, in recent years, has faced economic difficulties, political instability, and emigration, especially among youth, which are common contributors to declining birth rates in similar contexts.
Despite the decline, Belarus continues to be recognised as one of the best countries for motherhood. It ranks 25th in the rating of the most comfortable countries for motherhood and is among the top 50 countries in terms of the quality of pregnancy management and childbirth organisation. The Minsk and Brest regions saw the most children born in 2024, while the fewest births occurred in the Grodno, Vitebsk, and Mogilev regions.
Svetlana Viktor, head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Pathology Laboratory, has made a statement regarding this issue. However, the data does not reveal the impact of the declining birth rate on the country's healthcare sector or state policy in the healthcare sector.
The data also does not provide information on the health of mothers and children in Belarus for the years 2016-2024, nor does it reveal Belarus' ranking in the rating of the most comfortable countries for motherhood for the same period. The publication of the birth rate data by the National Statistical Committee is the first in five years, raising questions about the transparency and continuity of such important demographic data.
As Belarus navigates this demographic crisis, understanding the root causes and addressing them will be crucial to ensure the health and wellbeing of its citizens, particularly mothers and children. Consulting Belarusian national statistics or demographic research published after 2024 would be necessary for precise factors and updated official statements from the authorities.
- In the health and wellness sector, Belarus, despite the declining birth rate, remains commendable, ranking 25th in the rating of the most comfortable countries for motherhood and placing amongst the top 50 countries in terms of pregnancy management and childbirth organisation.
- Concerning women's health, the lack of recent data on the health of mothers and children in Belarus for the years 2016-2024 raises questions about the transparency and continuity of such crucial demographic data, making it challenging to assess the impact of the declining birth rate on the country's overall health situation.
