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The Belarusian labour market has lost 152,500 people over five years. This estimate appears in the state programme “Balanced Labour Market” for 2026–2030, the resolution approving which was published today on the National Legal Internet Portal. Losses over the past decade are even greater.
“In the past decade, the number of employed persons in the economy showed a downward trend: while in 2016–2020 it decreased by 86,000 people, from early 2021 to June 2025 it fell by 152,500,” the programme states.
Its authors note that population ageing is a systemic challenge to sustainable socio-economic development. In 2026–2030, the labour market will receive a small generation born in 1990–2010, while those born in the 1960s will be exiting it.
“Almost every fifth worker in our country is close to retirement age or has already reached it. According to the forecast, overall replacement labour demand in the coming five years will exceed 300,000 workers,” the programme says.
In 2026–2030, the labour market will be shaped by a continued decrease in the number of working-age people of working age. Officials expect a decline in the number of employed persons in the economy.
To address these challenges, the programme proposes accelerating labour-market entry, broadening age limits for hiring, and ensuring net migration growth of at least 10,000 people per year.