Demographic developments in the Republic of Belarus
Shakhot'ko, L.
Voprosy Statistiki 2: 67-72
1998
PMID: 12321465 Document Number: 272968
Recent demographic trends in Belarus are described and compared with trends in other countries that were once part of the USSR. The author notes that the total number of deaths exceeded the total number of births for the first time in 1993, and that the gap between the two has continued to increase so that by 1996, there were 37,000 more deaths than births recorded. Urban areas have been more affected by population decreases than rural areas. The main cause of low fertility is identified as the harsh socioeconomic conditions: the author points out that even in childless two-income families, couples have difficulty in making ends meet. The changes in age and sex distribution that have occurred over time are analyzed, as well as changes in health status, life expectancy, and mortality.