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Belarus latest population census figures released

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MINSK, 20 February (BelTA) – Belarus’ population makes up slightly more than 9.4 million people. This was one of the figures from the latest population census cited by Chairwoman of the National Statistics Committee of Belarus Inna Medvedeva on 20 February, BelTA has learned.

As of 1 October 2019 Belarus’ population totaled 9,454,790 people according to current records. However, the population totaled 9,413,446 people according to the census. Corrections of the population numbers thanks to the census indicated an increase in residents only in Minsk and the oblast. By the way, Minsk is home to over 2.018 million people. It is followed by Minsk Oblast (over 1.471 million), Gomel Oblast (over 1.388 million), Brest Oblast (over 1.348 million), Vitebsk Oblast (over 1.135 million), and Grodno Oblast (1.026 million). Mogilev Oblast has the lowest number of residents – about 1,024,700.

The latest population census took place in Belarus on 4-30 October. Belarusians were given an opportunity to fill in census forms online, at stationary census stations, or even at workplaces (if the employer requested a mobile census station).

About 2.024 million people opted to fill in census forms online. Census takers started polling Belarusians in their homes on 21 October. About 650 stationary census stations were deployed during the census.

A population census is held every ten years. In 2019 Belarusians had to answer 49 questions, primarily focusing on their demographic, national, and ethnic characteristics, migration activity, education, sources of livelihood, employment, the number of kids, housing conditions, and economic activity.

The collected data represents a factual demographic picture of the country. It can be used to adjust roadmaps of large-scale government programs, social and infrastructure projects in the country and individual regions, individual populated localities.

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