Belarus, a landlocked Eastern European nation, encompasses 207,600 square kilometers and houses 9.1 million people, making it Europe's 13th largest and 20th most populous country. Strategically positioned, it shares borders with Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Characterized by a hemiboreal climate, Belarus is divided into six administrative regions, with Minsk, the capital, holding special status.
1905: Relaxation of Restrictions on Belarusian Language
Following the failed 1863 revolt led by Konstanty Kalinowski, the Russian government reintroduced Cyrillic to Belarusian and banned Belarusian-language documents. These restrictions were lifted in 1905.
1917: Russian Revolution and its aftermath
Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, various states competed for legitimacy during the Russian Civil War, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Byelorussian SSR.
March 1918: Declaration of Independence and Polish-Soviet War
Under German occupation during World War I, Belarus declared independence on March 25, 1918, forming the Belarusian People's Republic. Shortly after, the Polish–Soviet War erupted, leading to the division of Belarus between Poland and Soviet Russia.
1918: Establishment of the Belarusian People's Republic
The Belarusian People's Republic, the first attempt at an independent Belarusian state called "Belarus", was established in 1918.
January 1919: Short-lived Socialist Soviet Republic of Byelorussia
In January 1919, a part of Belarus under Bolshevik control was declared the Socialist Soviet Republic of Byelorussia (SSRB), which existed for only two months before merging with the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (LSSR).
1919: Dissolution of the Belarusian People's Republic
The Belarusian People's Republic ceased to exist in 1919 due to continuous domination by external forces, including the Imperial German Army, Imperial Russian Army, and the Bolshevik Red Army.
July 1920: Establishment of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR)
The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR) was established in July 1920.
1920: Creation of the Republic of Central Lithuania
The Republic of Central Lithuania was established in 1920 following a staged rebellion of Polish Army soldiers, aiming to restore a united Lithuania.
1921: Division of Contested Lands and Formation of the Byelorussian SSR
After the Polish-Soviet War ended in 1921, the disputed territories were divided between Poland and the Soviet Union, leading to the formal establishment of the Byelorussian SSR.
January 1922: Annexation of the Republic of Central Lithuania
After a disputed election in January 1922, the Republic of Central Lithuania, a short-lived buffer state between Poland and Lithuania, was annexed by Poland.
1922: Byelorussian SSR Joins the Soviet Union
The Byelorussian SSR became a founding member of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922.
1922: Formation of the Soviet Union
In 1922, the Byelorussian SSR became a founding member of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
1927: Belarusian Peasants' and Workers' Union Banned
In 1927, the Belarusian Peasants' and Workers' Union, an organization representing the Belarusian minority in the Second Polish Republic, was banned by the increasingly nationalistic Polish government.
1935: Intensified Repression of Belarusians
Following the death of Józef Piłsudski in 1935, a new wave of repressions targeted minorities in the Second Polish Republic, including the closure of Orthodox churches and Belarusian schools, suppression of the Belarusian language, and imprisonment of Belarusian leaders in Bereza Kartuska.
September 1939: Soviet Invasion and Annexation of Eastern Poland
In September 1939, following Germany's invasion, the Soviet Union invaded and occupied eastern Poland, annexing Western Belorussia into the Byelorussian SSR.
October 1939: Soviet Control of Western Belorussia
On October 28, 1939, the Soviet-controlled Byelorussian People's Council officially took control of the annexed territories of Western Belorussia in Białystok.
1939: Soviet Occupation Impacts Belarusian Literature
Following the Soviet Union's occupation of Poland in 1939, territories where Belarusian literature had flourished under Polish rule came under Soviet control. This event stifled the free development of Belarusian literature.
1941: German Occupation and the Holocaust in Belarus
In 1941, most of Western Belarus was incorporated into the Reichskommissariat Ostland, marking the beginning of the German occupation. This period witnessed the devastating Holocaust, decimating the Jewish population of Belarus.
1941: German Invasion of the Soviet Union
Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa in 1941, invading the Soviet Union. The defense of Brest Fortress marked the first major battle of this operation.
1941: Beginning of Devastating German Occupation
The German occupation of Belarus, beginning in 1941, brought about widespread destruction and loss of life.
1943: Establishment of the Belarusian Central Council
In 1943, amidst the German occupation, German authorities permitted local collaborators to establish the Belarusian Central Council, a client state.
1943: Publication of Lucjan Żeligowski's Memoir
Lucjan Żeligowski, the leader of the rebellion that led to the creation of the Republic of Central Lithuania, published his memoir in 1943 in London, criticizing the annexation of the republic by Poland and its policies.
1944: Liberation of Belarus from German Occupation
The Byelorussian SSR, under German occupation since 1941, was liberated in 1944.
1944: End of German Occupation and Start of Reconstruction
The end of the German occupation in 1944 marked the beginning of a period of vigorous reconstruction in Belarus.
1945: End of World War II and founding of the United Nations
After the devastation of World War II, the Byelorussian SSR became a founding member of the United Nations in 1945, alongside the Soviet Union.
1945: Belarus Joins the United Nations
In 1945, the Byelorussian SSR, alongside the Ukrainian SSR, became one of the 51 founding members of the United Nations.
1953: Stalin's Death and Khrushchev's Continuation of Sovietization
After Joseph Stalin's death in 1953, Nikita Khrushchev continued the policy of Sovietization, aiming to integrate the Byelorussian SSR further into the Soviet Union.
1953: Post-Stalin Era and Rise of Former Partisans
Following Stalin's death in 1953, Belarusian politics saw the dominance of former Soviet partisans.
1971: Belarus Regains Pre-War Population Level
After significant population loss during World War II, Belarus finally regained its pre-war population level in 1971.
1980: End of Former Partisans' Dominance
The period of dominance by former Soviet partisans in Belarusian politics lasted until 1980.
1985: Release of "Come and See"
The film "Come and See," depicting the experiences of Belarusian partisans during World War II, was released in 1985.
1986: Chernobyl Disaster Fallout
In 1986, approximately 70% of the radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in neighboring Ukraine contaminated Belarusian territory, affecting about a fifth of its land, primarily farmland and forests. The UN and other organizations have worked to mitigate radiation levels in these areas.
1986: Chernobyl Disaster Contaminates Belarus
The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 resulted in significant nuclear fallout contamination in Belarus, with 70% of the fallout affecting the Byelorussian SSR.
March 1990: Elections for the Supreme Soviet
Elections for seats in the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR took place in March 1990.
July 1990: Proclamation of Sovereignty
Belarus declared its sovereignty in July 1990 as the Soviet Union began to dissolve.
July 1990: Declaration of State Sovereignty
Belarus declared its sovereignty on July 27, 1990, by issuing the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic.
1990: Decline in Belarusian Language Usage
From 1990 to 2020, the use of the Belarusian language saw a significant decline, particularly in education and publishing. This decline coincided with a period of increased Russian language promotion in schools, impacting the circulation of Belarusian literature.
April 1991: Widespread Strikes
Large-scale strikes erupted in Belarus in April 1991.
August 1991: Belarus Becomes a Republic
On August 25, 1991, the country's name was changed to the Republic of Belarus with the support of the Communist Party of Byelorussia.
August 1991: Independence from the Soviet Union
Belarus achieved independence from the collapsing Soviet Union in August 1991.
December 1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union
Stanislav Shushkevich, representing Belarus, met with leaders from Russia and Ukraine on December 8, 1991, to formally declare the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
1991: Official Name Change
The term "Byelorussia" was used officially until 1991. The country officially adopted the name "Republic of Belarus" after gaining independence.
1991: Economic Standing at the Dissolution of the Soviet Union
At the time of the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, Belarus stood out as one of the most industrially developed states globally, considering its GDP proportion. It held the position of the wealthiest member-state within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
January 1992: Campaign for Early Elections
The Belarusian Popular Front initiated a campaign in January 1992 advocating for early elections.
May 1992: Introduction of the Belarusian Ruble
In May 1992, Belarus replaced the Soviet ruble with its national currency, the Belarusian ruble.
1992: Formation of the Belarusian Armed Forces
The armed forces of Belarus were established in 1992, utilizing elements of the former Soviet Armed Forces present within the newly independent republic's territory.
1993: Failure of New Election Law
A proposed new law regarding parliamentary elections failed to pass in 1993.
1993: World Trade Organization Application
Belarus submitted its application to join the World Trade Organization in 1993.
March 1994: Adoption of New Constitution
A new national constitution was adopted in March 1994, merging the functions of the prime minister into the role of the President of Belarus.
March 1994: Scheduled Elections for the Supreme Council
Elections for the Supreme Council were scheduled for March 1994.
June 1994: First Round of Presidential Elections
The first round of the presidential election took place on June 24, 1994, marking the first free elections in Belarus after independence.
July 1994: Second Round of Presidential Elections and Lukashenko's Victory
The second round of the presidential election, held on July 10, 1994, saw Alexander Lukashenko's victory, propelling him into national prominence.
1994: Adoption of Constitution with Term Limits
Belarus adopted a new constitution in 1994, which initially limited presidents to two terms in office.
1994: Belarus Participates as an Independent Nation in the Winter Olympics
Belarus participated as an independent nation in the Winter Olympics for the first time in 1994.
1994: Alexander Lukashenko's Election as President
Following the adoption of a new constitution, Alexander Lukashenko was elected as Belarus's first president in 1994, in the country's first and only free election since independence.
1994: Main Export Commodities
In 1994, Belarus's primary exports encompassed heavy machinery, particularly tractors, agricultural products, and energy products.
October 1995: Abolition of Local Governments
In October 1995, a presidential decree in Belarus abolished the local governments of cities designated as raion subordination and urban-type settlements that served as administrative centers of raions. This action demoted them from being administrative-territorial units to territorial units.
1995: Border Treaties with Latvia and Lithuania
Belarus signed treaties with Latvia and Lithuania in 1995 to define its borders with the two neighboring countries.
1995: Record-High Employment Rate
By 2005, Belarus achieved its highest overall employment rate since the initiation of statistical compilation in 1995.
1995: Belarus Adopts New National Flag
Belarus adopted a new national flag in 1995 through a controversial referendum. The flag's design incorporates traditional Belarusian ornamental patterns, reflecting the country's cultural heritage.
1995: Belarus Engages with NATO's Partnership for Peace Program
Belarus's initial cooperation with NATO commenced in 1995 when it signed agreements to participate in the Partnership for Peace Program.
November 1996: Controversial Constitutional Referendum
In November 1996, a constitutional referendum and parliamentary by-elections in Belarus were marred by irregularities, leading to the Council of Europe revoking Belarus' observer status.
December 1996: First Belarusian Coins Issued
The first coins of the Republic of Belarus were issued on December 27, 1996.
1996: Economic Recovery
Despite a decline in industrial production during the early 1990s, Belarus's GDP began to recover in 1996, marking it as the fastest-recovering former Soviet republic in economic terms.
1996: Controversial Referendum to Extend Presidential Term
Lukashenko initiated a controversial referendum in 1996 to extend the presidential term from five to seven years, a move denounced as fraudulent by the chief electoral officer.
1996: National Academic Theatre of Ballet Earns International Recognition
The National Academic Theatre of Ballet in Minsk achieved global recognition in 1996 by receiving the prestigious Benois de la Dance Prize, marking it as a leading ballet institution worldwide.
1996: Border Treaties with Latvia and Lithuania
Belarus continued to solidify its borders by signing additional treaties with Latvia and Lithuania in 1996, further defining the boundaries between the nations.
1996: Establishment of the Union State with Russia
A series of treaties between 1996 and 1999 led to the creation of the Union State, a supranational confederation between Belarus and Russia, aiming for closer integration in areas such as monetary policy, citizenship, and foreign policy.
1997: Council of Europe Removes Observer Status
As a consequence of the flawed constitutional referendum and parliamentary by-elections in November 1996, the Council of Europe removed Belarus' observer status, citing concerns about election irregularities.
1997: Belarus Joins NATO's Individual Partnership Program
Belarus became a participant in NATO's Individual Partnership Program in 1997, indicating its willingness to engage with the alliance in specific areas.
1997: Belarus-Ukraine Border Treaty
Belarus signed a treaty with Ukraine in 1997 to establish their shared border.
1997: Completion of Armed Forces Transformation
By 1997, the Belarusian Armed Forces completed the transformation from their Soviet predecessors, resulting in a reduction of 30,000 soldiers, a reorganized leadership structure, and restructured military formations.
1998: Belarus Joins the Non-Aligned Movement
Belarus joined the international Non-Aligned Movement in 1998, advocating for a neutral stance in the Cold War power blocs.
1999: Postponement of Presidential Election
As a result of the 1996 referendum to extend the presidential term, the election originally scheduled for 1999 was postponed to 2001.
2000: Reintroduction of the Belarusian Ruble
After a redenomination, Belarus reintroduced the ruble with new values in 2000, which has been in circulation ever since.
2000: Early Settlements and Cultures
From 5000 to 2000 BC, the Bandkeramik culture was prominent in modern-day Belarus. By 1,000 BC, the Cimmerians and other pastoralist groups migrated through the area. The Zarubintsy culture became widespread at the beginning of the 1st millennium.
2000: Treaty for Greater Cooperation with Russia
In 2000, Belarus and Russia signed a treaty to strengthen their cooperation, leading to the formation of the Union State.
2001: Growing Importance of Contract Soldiers
In 2001, the number of contract soldiers in the Belarusian Armed Forces increased to 12,000, reflecting the impact of demographic shifts on the pool of conscripts.
2001: Presidential Election Following Term Extension
After the controversial 1996 referendum extended the presidential term, Lukashenko participated in the 2001 presidential election.
2001: Re-election of Lukashenko
Alexander Lukashenko was officially re-elected as president of Belarus in 2001, marking his second term in office.
2002: Belarusian Hockey Team Achieves Upset Victory at Salt Lake City Olympics
The Belarusian national hockey team achieved a significant upset by defeating Sweden in the quarterfinals of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, ultimately finishing fourth in the tournament.
2003: Declining Unemployment Rate
Since 2003, Belarus has witnessed a steady decline in its unemployment rate.
2004: Belarus Debuts at Eurovision Song Contest
In 2004, Belarus made its first appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest, marking the nation's entry into the popular international music competition.
2004: Russia-Belarus Energy Dispute
In 2004, Russian energy giant Gazprom halted gas imports to Belarus due to price disagreements, marking the beginning of economic tensions between the two countries.
2004: Removal of Presidential Term Limits
In 2004, the Belarusian constitution was amended to eliminate presidential term limits, allowing Lukashenko to remain in power beyond the initial two-term restriction.
2004: US Passes the Belarus Democracy Act
In 2004, the United States passed the Belarus Democracy Act, aiming to support pro-democracy efforts in Belarus. The act authorized funding for anti-government Belarusian NGOs and restricted loans to the Belarusian government, except for humanitarian purposes.
2004: Parliamentary Elections Deemed Unfair
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) deemed the 2004 parliamentary elections in Belarus unfair due to arbitrary denial of registration for opposition candidates and a process favoring the ruling party.
2005: Labor Force and Employment Distribution
In 2005, Belarus had a labor force exceeding 4 million people, with a slight majority being women. Notably, nearly 25% of the population was employed in industrial factories. Other sectors with high employment rates included agriculture, manufacturing sales, trading goods, and education. The unemployment rate, according to government statistics, stood at 1.5%, representing 679,000 unemployed Belarusians, two-thirds of whom were women.
2005: Military Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP
Belarus allocated approximately 1.4% of its gross domestic product to military spending in 2005.
2005: GDP Growth and Inflation
In 2005, Belarus experienced a commendable GDP growth rate of 9.9%, while the average inflation rate remained at 9.5%.
March 2006: Strained Relations between NATO and Belarus
Tensions between NATO and Belarus reached a high point following the Belarusian presidential election in March 2006, primarily due to concerns regarding the conduct and legitimacy of the election.
2006: GDP Growth and Per Capita Income
By 2006, Belarus achieved a GDP of US$83.1 billion in purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars, translating to approximately US$8,100 per capita.
2006: Re-election of Lukashenko Amidst Controversy
Lukashenko secured a third term as president in the 2006 election, which was deemed open and fair by Russia and the CIS but widely criticized as unfair by international observers.
2006: Presidential Election and Suppression of Opposition
The 2006 presidential election saw Lukashenko face opposition from Alaksandar Milinkievič and Alyaksandr Kazulin. The election was marked by Kazulin's detention and police brutality during protests, with Lukashenko declared the winner amidst international criticism of unfair practices.
February 2007: Belarus-Lithuania Border Demarcation
Belarus and Lithuania officially ratified documents to demarcate their shared border in February 2007.
June 2007: Loss of EU Generalized System of Preferences Status
On June 21, 2007, Belarus lost its EU Generalized System of Preferences status, leading to increased tariff rates to the prior most favored nation levels. This was due to Belarus's failure to protect labor rights, specifically its laws prohibiting unemployment or working outside state-controlled sectors.
2007: Russia-Belarus Energy Dispute
The 2007 energy dispute arose from Gazprom's accusations that Belarus was illegally siphoning oil from the Druzhba pipeline that traverses Belarus.
2007: US Recalls Ambassador from Minsk
In 2007, the United States recalled its ambassador from Minsk, reflecting the strained bilateral relations with Belarus.
2007: Major Trading Partners
In 2007, Russia dominated Belarus's trade relations, constituting around 45% of its exports and 55% of its imports, which included petroleum. The EU countries followed, representing 25% of exports and 20% of imports.
2007: Population Growth and Fertility Rate
Belarus, similar to other Eastern European nations, faced negative population growth and natural growth rates. In 2007, the population decreased by 0.41%, accompanied by a low fertility rate of 1.22, significantly below the replacement level. Despite this, a net migration rate of +0.38 per 1,000 indicated slightly higher immigration compared to emigration.
2007: Abandonment of the Russian Ruble Peg
In 2007, the National Bank of Belarus decided to abandon the fixed exchange rate between the Belarusian ruble and the Russian ruble.
January 2008: Proposed Discontinuation of the Belarusian Ruble
As part of their discussions on a single currency, Russia and Belarus proposed replacing the Belarusian ruble with the Russian ruble (RUB), potentially starting as early as January 1, 2008.
2008: Inna Zhukova Wins Silver in Rhythmic Gymnastics
Belarusian rhythmic gymnast Inna Zhukova won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showcasing Belarus's strength in the sport.
2008: Belarus Withdraws Ambassador from Washington
In 2008, Belarus withdrew its ambassador from Washington, further escalating diplomatic tensions with the United States.
2009: Ratification of Belarus-Ukraine Border Treaty
Belarus officially ratified the 1997 treaty that defined its border with Ukraine in 2009.
2010: Re-election of Lukashenko for a Fourth Term
Lukashenko was elected for a fourth consecutive term in the 2010 presidential election, met with accusations of fraud and criticism from independent observers.
2010: Presidential Election, Protests, and Crackdown
Lukashenko's victory in the 2010 presidential election, his fourth consecutive term, sparked protests in Minsk. The government responded with a crackdown, arresting and imprisoning opposition leaders and candidates, drawing condemnation for fraudulent elections and human rights abuses.
May 2011: Ruble Depreciation
On May 23, 2011, the Belarusian ruble experienced a sharp depreciation of 56% against the United States dollar, leading to a financial crisis as citizens rushed to exchange their rubles for more stable currencies and goods.
June 2011: Request for IMF Assistance
Due to the financial crisis, Belarus sought an economic rescue package from the International Monetary Fund on June 1, 2011.
November 2011: Census Reveals Religious Demographics of Belarus
In November 2011, a census in Belarus indicated that 58.9% of the population followed a religion. Of those, the majority, 82%, were Eastern Orthodox Christians, primarily belonging to the Belarusian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church.
2011: Belarus Carries Out Executions
Belarus carried out executions in 2011, making it the only country in Europe at that time to continue using capital punishment.
2011: Economic Crisis and Minsk Metro Bombing
Belarus experienced a severe economic crisis in 2011, with inflation exceeding 108%, attributed to the government's centralized economic control. The same year, a bombing in the Minsk Metro killed 15 and injured 204, raising suspicions about potential government involvement despite the official narrative.
2012: Belarusian Rhythmic Gymnasts Secure Olympic Bronze
Belarusian rhythmic gymnasts achieved success at the 2012 London Olympics. Liubov Charkashyna earned an individual bronze medal, while the Belarusian senior group also secured a bronze medal in the group event, highlighting the nation's prowess in rhythmic gymnastics.
2012: Execution of Minsk Metro Bombing Suspects
In 2012, two suspects who confessed to the Minsk Metro bombing were executed by shooting. However, the UN Security Council's unusually phrased statement condemning the "apparent terrorist attack" cast doubt on the Belarusian government's official account of the events.
2012: Restrictions on Job Mobility in Forestry Industry
Regulations similar to those governing kolkhoz workers were introduced in Belarus in 2012, limiting job mobility within the forestry industry.
2012: Parliamentary Election Dominated by Non-Partisans
The 2012 parliamentary election in Belarus resulted in 105 out of 110 seats in the House of Representatives being filled by non-partisan representatives, with the remaining seats going to the Communist Party of Belarus and the Belarusian Agrarian Party.
2012: Victoria Azarenka Makes History with Australian Open Win
Victoria Azarenka became the first Belarusian to win a Grand Slam singles title by claiming victory at the Australian Open in 2012. In the same year, she also secured a gold medal in mixed doubles at the Summer Olympics alongside Max Mirnyi, a Belarusian tennis player with ten Grand Slam doubles titles.
2014: Law Restricting Job Mobility for Kolkhoz Workers
In 2014, a new law in Belarus imposed restrictions on the movement of kolkhoz workers, requiring permission from governors for changes in employment and residence, drawing comparisons to serfdom.
2014: Darya Domracheva Wins Three Biathlon Gold Medals
Belarusian biathlete Darya Domracheva achieved a remarkable feat by winning three gold medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics, establishing herself as a leading figure in the sport.
2014: Belarus Hosts IIHF World Championship
Belarus hosted the IIHF World Championship in 2014.
2015: Population Age Structure
As of 2015, the majority of Belarus's population (69.9%) fell within the working age group of 14 to 64 years old. The population under 14 years constituted 15.5%, while those aged 65 and above accounted for 14.6%.
2015: Belarusian Athletes Excel in Cycling and Athletics
Belarus celebrated athletic success on the international stage in 2015. Vasil Kiryienka won the Road World Time Trial Championship in cycling, while Maryna Arzamasava clinched the gold medal in the 800 meters at the World Championships in Athletics.
2015: Svetlana Alexievich Wins Nobel Prize in Literature
Belarusian author Svetlana Alexievich was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2015. Alexievich, known for her work on the Chernobyl disaster and other significant events, credited Belarusian author Ales Adamovich as a significant influence on her writing.
2015: Melitina Staniouta Wins Bronze at World Championships
Belarusian rhythmic gymnast Melitina Staniouta won a bronze medal in the all-around competition at the 2015 World Championships, further solidifying Belarus's reputation in the sport.
2015: Employment Distribution in Belarus
In 2015, state-controlled companies employed 39.3% of the Belarusian workforce, while private companies, with a 21.1% government stake, employed 57.2%. Foreign companies accounted for a mere 3.5% of employment.
2015: Population Distribution and Major Cities
In 2015, with a population density of roughly 50 people per square kilometer, Belarus had 70% of its population residing in urban areas. Minsk, the capital and largest city, housed 1,937,900 inhabitants. Gomel, the second largest city and capital of the Gomel Region, had a population of 481,000. Other major cities included Mogilev (365,100 residents), Vitebsk (342,400), Grodno (314,800), and Brest (298,300).
2015: Lukashenko's Fifth Term as President
Alexander Lukashenko secured his fifth term as president of Belarus in the 2015 election.
July 2016: Introduction of the New Belarusian Ruble
In July 2016, Belarus implemented a currency redenomination, replacing the existing Belarusian ruble with the new Belarusian ruble (BYN) at a rate of 1:10,000.
December 2016: Parallel Currency Circulation Ends
The parallel circulation of the old and new Belarusian rubles ended on December 31, 2016. Series 2000 banknotes and coins were exchangeable for the 2009 series from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021.
January 2017: Exchange Period Begins
Starting on January 1, 2017, Belarus initiated an exchange period allowing the public to exchange the old series 2000 banknotes and coins for the new series 2009.
2019: Administrative-Territorial and Territorial Units
As of 2019, Belarus had 115 cities, 85 urban-type settlements, and 23,075 rural settlements classified as administrative-territorial and territorial units.
2019: Economic Structure and Development
In 2019, Belarus, a developing country with a "very high" human development ranking, had a manufacturing sector that accounted for 31% of its GDP. This sector predominantly consisted of manufacturing industries and employed 34.7% of the workforce. Additionally, Belarus excelled in income equality, boasting one of the lowest Gini-coefficient measures globally.
2019: Population and Ethnic Composition
The 2019 census reported Belarus's population to be 9.41 million, with ethnic Belarusians constituting the majority at 84.9%. Minority groups included Russians (7.5%), Poles (3.1%), and Ukrainians (1.7%).
September 2020: UN Report on Torture and Ill-Treatment of Detainees
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported in September 2020 receiving accounts of 450 documented cases of torture and mistreatment inflicted upon individuals detained during the protests that followed the presidential election in Belarus.
2020: Disputed Re-election of Lukashenko
The 2020 presidential election saw Lukashenko claim victory for a sixth term, triggering widespread protests and international condemnation due to allegations of rigging and a lack of transparency.
2020: Disputed Presidential Election and Protests
Widespread protests erupted following the contested 2020 Belarusian presidential election, where Lukashenko secured a sixth term. International actors like Poland, Lithuania, the EU, Canada, the UK, and the US refused to recognize Lukashenko's legitimacy, leading to sanctions against Belarus.
2020: Increased Migrant Crossings from Belarus
In 2020, Poland witnessed a significant surge in the number of migrants crossing its border from Belarus, prompting accusations of a hybrid warfare campaign orchestrated by Belarusian authorities.
2020: Decline in Belarusian Language Usage
From 1990 to 2020, the use of the Belarusian language saw a significant decline, particularly in education and publishing. This decline coincided with a period of increased Russian language promotion in schools, impacting the circulation of Belarusian literature.
2020: Imposition of Sanctions
Following the disputed 2020 Belarusian presidential election, which was widely condemned as rigged, the EU imposed sanctions on Belarus.
2020: Disputed Presidential Election and Protests
In 2020, Alexander Lukashenko's win in the Belarusian presidential election, with reported results of 80% of the vote, sparked mass protests and was met with non-recognition and sanctions from the European Union and the United Kingdom.
May 2021: Forced Diversion of Ryanair Flight and Detention of Roman Protasevich
Belarusian authorities sparked international condemnation in May 2021 when they intercepted a Ryanair flight en route from Athens to Vilnius, diverting it to Minsk to arrest opposition figure and journalist Roman Protasevich and his partner, leading to intensified sanctions from the European Union.
June 2021: Belarus Suspends Participation in Eastern Partnership Program
In June 2021, Belarus suspended its involvement in the European Union's Eastern Partnership program following the imposition of additional sanctions on the country by the EU.
July 2021: Belarus Accused of Weaponizing Migrants
Lithuanian authorities and high-ranking EU officials, including Ursula von der Leyen and Josep Borrell, accused Belarus in July 2021 of exploiting migrants as a tool of hybrid warfare by facilitating their movement to the European Union. This strategy was met with condemnation, and warnings of potential further sanctions were issued against Belarus.
August 2021: Belarusian Officials Push Migrants Towards EU Border
In August 2021, video footage emerged showing Belarusian personnel in uniform, equipped with riot gear, pushing and coercing migrants into crossing the border into the European Union from Belarus, further solidifying accusations of weaponized migration.
December 2021: Conclusion of the Exchange Period
The designated exchange period for the old Belarusian ruble banknotes and coins concluded on December 31, 2021.
December 2021: New Sanctions Imposed on Belarus
In response to the ongoing situation, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada collectively imposed a new round of sanctions on Belarus in December 2021.
2021: Manufacturing Growth
Despite the overall economic growth in Belarus, the manufacturing sector experienced a slower growth rate of approximately 2.2% in 2021.
2021: Belarus Loses Hosting Rights for IIHF World Championship and Cycling Championship
Belarus was scheduled to co-host the 2021 IIHF World Championship with Latvia but lost its hosting rights due to political unrest and security concerns. Similarly, the 2021 UEC European Track Championships in cycling, planned to be hosted in Belarus, was canceled for the same reasons.
April 2022: EU Trade Sanctions
The EU imposed trade sanctions on Belarus in April 2022 due to its support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
October 2022: Price Freeze Imposed
To address the issue of food inflation, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko imposed a ban on price increases on October 6, 2022.
2022: Sanctions Against Belarus for Involvement in Ukraine Invasion
In 2022, Belarus faced further sanctions from the EU, Canada, the UK, and the US due to its complicity in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including allowing Russian troops to stage part of the invasion from Belarusian territory. These sanctions targeted state-owned enterprises, government officials, and individuals in the industrial sector, with Norway and Japan joining the effort to isolate Belarus economically.
2022: Low Ranking in Press Freedom Index
Reporters Without Borders ranked Belarus 153rd out of 180 countries in its Press Freedom Index for 2022, reflecting the country's restrictive media environment.
January 2023: Legalization of Copyright Infringement
In January 2023, Belarus enacted a law legalizing copyright infringement of media and intellectual property belonging to "unfriendly" foreign nations, further escalating tensions with the West.
March 2023: Expansion of Capital Punishment Law
In March 2023, Belarus broadened its law on capital punishment to include officials and soldiers found guilty of high treason.
August 2023: Extension and Expansion of Sanctions
The EU extended and expanded the trade sanctions imposed on Belarus in August 2023, further escalating the economic pressure on the country.
2023: Global Innovation Index Ranking
In 2023, Belarus secured the 80th position in the Global Innovation Index.
2050: Projected Median Age Increase
Projections indicated that the median age in Belarus, ranging from 30 to 34 in 2015, was expected to rise to between 60 and 64 by 2050, highlighting the aging population trend.