Cost Of Living in Belarus 2024

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Belarus

Whether you're living in Belarus or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Average Monthly Expenditure

2,900 BYN

per month
$880

220 BYN   $68
$8,800   29,000 BYN

Single

2,000 BYN

per month
$610

660 BYN   $200
$4,100   13,000 BYN

Couple

3,300 BYN

per month
$1,000

1,100 BYN   $340
$5,400   18,000 BYN

Family

4,400 BYN

per month
$1,400

1,500 BYN   $470
$7,500   24,000 BYN

Student

1,300 BYN

per month
$410

530 BYN   $160
$730   2,400 BYN
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Belarus is 2,000 BYN. Expenses can range from 660 BYN at the minimum level to 13,000 BYN at the highest end.


Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Belarus is 3,300 BYN. Expenditure can range from 1,100 BYN to 18,000 BYN per month.


Families

The average cost of living for families in Belarus is 4,400 BYN per month. Families spend anywhere from 1,500 BYN to 24,000 BYN.


Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Belarus is 1,300 BYN. Students spend from 530 BYN to 2,400 BYN per month.


Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Belarus


Dining, food, and beverages costs


Large bottle of water
0.35 BYN 0.39 BYN 0.45 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.11 $0.12 $0.14
Fast food combo meal
2.9 BYN 5.9 BYN 9.8 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.90 $1.8 $3
Restaurant meal for one
9.8 BYN 15 BYN 29 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3 $4.5 $9
Fine dining meal for one
20 BYN 29 BYN 120 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6 $9 $36
Soda or Soft Drink
0.42 BYN 0.49 BYN 0.59 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.13 $0.15 $0.18
Cappuccino or latte
2.5 BYN 3.9 BYN 5.9 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.75 $1.2 $1.8

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle
2 BYN 2.4 BYN 2.9 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.60 $0.72 $0.90
Loaf of bread
0.36 BYN 0.40 BYN 0.47 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.11 $0.12 $0.14
12 eggs
1.5 BYN 2 BYN 2.9 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.45 $0.60 $0.90
Fresh whole chicken
3.3 BYN 4.3 BYN 6.1 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.3 $1.9
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
3.9 BYN 5.9 BYN 12 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $1.8 $3.6
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
1.6 BYN 2.2 BYN 3.1 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.48 $0.66 $0.94
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
0.59 BYN 0.79 BYN 1.5 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.18 $0.24 $0.45
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb
1.1 BYN 1.4 BYN 2.3 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.32 $0.42 $0.69

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride
2.5 BYN 2.9 BYN 5.9 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.75 $0.90 $1.8
Average car full tank
15 BYN 20 BYN 39 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $6 $12
Average car 1-day rental
15 BYN 20 BYN 29 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $6 $9
Average car price
7,400 BYN 15,000 BYN 20,000 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,300 $4,500 $6,000
Bus ticket one way
0.49 BYN 0.74 BYN 1.5 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.15 $0.23 $0.45
Car Service
20 BYN 29 BYN 59 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6 $9 $18

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual
40 BYN 120 BYN 800 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $37 $240
Utility Bill - Couple
55 BYN 170 BYN 890 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$17 $51 $270
Utility Bill - Family
46 BYN 130 BYN 730 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$14 $41 $220
Internet and cable
15 BYN 29 BYN 39 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $9 $12
Mobile phone charges
12 BYN 20 BYN 59 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.6 $6 $18

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket
7.4 BYN 9.8 BYN 15 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3 $4.5
One month gym membership
24 BYN 29 BYN 59 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.2 $9 $18

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants
17 BYN 25 BYN 37 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.3 $7.5 $11
Woman dress
16 BYN 23 BYN 74 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5 $6.9 $23
Woman shoes
15 BYN 21 BYN 49 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.7 $6.4 $15
Men's shoes
13 BYN 16 BYN 33 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.1 $5 $10
Men suit
15 BYN 18 BYN 98 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $5.6 $30
Regular t-shirt
7.4 BYN 9.8 BYN 29 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3 $9

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment
250 BYN 370 BYN 980 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$75 $110 $300
1-bedroom apartment
370 BYN 590 BYN 1,500 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $180 $450
2-bedroom apartment
490 BYN 740 BYN 2,000 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150 $230 $600

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment
49,000 BYN 74,000 BYN 150,000 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15,000 $23,000 $45,000
1-bedroom apartment
59,000 BYN 98,000 BYN 370,000 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18,000 $30,000 $110,000
2-bedroom apartment
98,000 BYN 290,000 BYN 590,000 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$30,000 $90,000 $180,000

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed
290 BYN 370 BYN 490 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$90 $110 $150
Double Bed
200 BYN 290 BYN 370 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$60 $90 $110
Single Bed
170 BYN 230 BYN 290 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$53 $69 $90
Living Room
330 BYN 420 BYN 1,500 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100 $130 $450
Dining Table
150 BYN 200 BYN 370 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$45 $60 $110
Sofa or Couch
200 BYN 270 BYN 590 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$60 $82 $180

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set
200 BYN 290 BYN 590 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$60 $90 $180
Fridge or Freezer
170 BYN 270 BYN 370 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$53 $82 $110
Washing Machine
230 BYN 330 BYN 590 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$69 $100 $180
Stove or Cooker
210 BYN 270 BYN 370 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$64 $82 $110
Mobile Phone
250 BYN 290 BYN 420 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$75 $90 $130
Laptop or Computer
270 BYN 330 BYN 590 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$82 $100 $180

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Belarus

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.


Spending to Income Ratio

84%

76% to 93%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Expense to income distribution levels

Spending To Income Ratio% People
< 50%6%
50% - 60%11%
60% - 70%17%
70% - 80%26%
80% - 90%17%
90% - 100%9%
100% - 110%5%
110% - 120%3%
120% - 130%2%
130% - 140%2%
> 140%1%

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Belarus is 84% This means that on average, people spend around 84% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 17% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.


How can spending be more than income?

A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.



Individual
76%
Spending-Income-Ratio
68%
84%

Couple
80%
Spending-Income-Ratio
72%
88%

Family
88%
Spending-Income-Ratio
80%
98%

How do people spend their money in Belarus?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing Expenditure26%

26% of total expenses on average (15% to 34%)

LOW$20   66 BYN
AVERAGE$260   860 BYN
HIGH$2,600   8,600 BYN
Per Month

People living in Belarus typically spend from 15% to 34% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average spend on housing is 860 BYN with expenditure ranging from 66 BYN to 8,600 BYN. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utilities, Electricity, Water7%

7% of total expenses on average (4% to 11%)

LOW$3.4   11 BYN
AVERAGE$44   140 BYN
HIGH$440   1,400 BYN
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Belarus ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 140 BYN with 11 BYN and 1,400 BYN being the upper and lower limits.

Transport, Fuel, Commute8%

8% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$6.8   22 BYN
AVERAGE$88   290 BYN
HIGH$880   2,900 BYN
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 22 BYN to 2,900 BYN on commuting with 290 BYN being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.

Food and Groceries Cost27%

27% of total expenses on average (19% to 33%)

LOW$17   55 BYN
AVERAGE$220   720 BYN
HIGH$2,200   7,200 BYN
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Belarus is 720 BYN. The cost of groceries can range between 55 BYN to 7,200 BYN. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

Healthcare and Medical Services9%

9% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$4.7   15 BYN
AVERAGE$62   200 BYN
HIGH$620   2,000 BYN
Per Month

People in Belarus allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 15 BYN to 2,000 BYN with 200 BYN being the norm.

Leisure and Shopping5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)

LOW$2.7   8.9 BYN
AVERAGE$35   120 BYN
HIGH$350   1,200 BYN
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 8.9 BYN to 1,200 BYN with 120 BYN being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.

Education and Schooling6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$4.1   13 BYN
AVERAGE$53   170 BYN
HIGH$530   1,700 BYN
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 170 BYN per month with 13 BYN being the minimum spent amount and 1,700 BYN being the maximum.

Other Expenses12%

12% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$8.8   29 BYN
AVERAGE$110   370 BYN
HIGH$1,100   3,700 BYN
Per Month

How much money can you save in Belarus every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.


What percentage of people in Belarus manage to save money from their income every month?


Saving Money
62%
Not Saving
38%

Almost 62% of the surveyed people in Belarus said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 38% said that aren't saving anything.


Percentage of people saving money by population group in Belarus

GroupSaversNon Savers
Singles62%38%
Couples57%43%
Families52%48%

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


Saving to Income Ratio

12% 20% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

73 BYN
$22
950 BYN
$290
9,500 BYN
$2,900
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

For most people, 12% to 32% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 20% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 950 BYN on average with savings ranging from 73 BYN to 9,500 BYN.

62% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 57% of couples said the same. 52% of families confirmed their ability to save money.


How much money do people actually save in Belarus?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.


Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

15% 24% of income 34%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

220 BYN
$67
660 BYN
$200
4,400 BYN
$1,300
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Saving To Income Ratio% Singles
0% - 10%29%
10% - 20%23%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%16%
40% - 50%12%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 15% to 34% of their monthly income to savings, with 24% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 660 BYN with 220 BYN and 4,400 BYN being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

13% 22% of income 33%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

370 BYN
$110
1,100 BYN
$340
5,800 BYN
$1,800
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Saving To Income Ratio% Couples
0% - 10%33%
10% - 20%25%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%11%
40% - 50%9%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 13% to 33% of their monthly income, with 22% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 1,100 BYN with 370 BYN and 5,800 BYN being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Families

Saving to Income Ratio

11% 19% of income 29%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

510 BYN
$160
1,500 BYN
$450
8,000 BYN
$2,500
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%36%
10% - 20%28%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%8%
40% - 50%6%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Belarus can save anywhere between 11% to 29% of their monthly income, with 19% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 1,500 BYN with 510 BYN and 8,000 BYN being the minimum and maximum respectively.

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Affordable living in Belarus

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Belarus?


Yes
59%
No
41%

Around 59% of surveyed residents think that living in Belarus is affordable with proper budgeting while 41% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Belarus

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options59%

Few low-cost options41%


Based on the survey, 59% of the people living in Belarus have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 41% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Belarus whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes59%

No41%


Based on the survey, 41% of the people living in Belarus said that they don't have an emergency fund while 59% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Belarus

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy54%


We asked residents of Belarus whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 46% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 54% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Belarus have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 36% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 64% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance36%

Easily manages finances64%

Financial goals of people in Belarus

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Belarus, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund7%
Debt Reduction35%
Retirement Savings8%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing8%
Travel or Lifestyle10%
Healthcare Expenses10%
Financial Independence8%

Around 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 35% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 10% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 10% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Saving Challenges in Belarus

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Belarus. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans17%
Lack of Budgeting Skills11%
Impulsive Spending10%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment6%
Will do it later18%
Inflation11%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 17% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 10% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 18% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Belarus

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold11%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings17%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Belarus

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Belarus and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Belarus is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.


The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:
AgeAmount
255x monthly salary at age 25
3010x monthly salary at age 30
3515x monthly salary at age 35
4025x monthly salary at age 40
4532x monthly salary at age 45
5048x monthly salary at age 50
5556x monthly salary at age 55
6064x monthly salary at age 60
6578x monthly salary at age 65

The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Belarus:
AgeAmount
257,700 BYN
3015,000 BYN
3527,000 BYN
4038,000 BYN
4557,000 BYN
5080,000 BYN
5596,000 BYN
60120,000 BYN
65140,000 BYN

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Belarus about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Source% People
Pensions13%
Savings22%
Investments13%
Social Security8%
Annuities8%
Part-time Job11%
Real Estate17%
Dividends and Interest8%

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Belarus

490 BYN
$150
1,500 BYN
$450
9,800 BYN
$3,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Belarus


Percentage of people who are in debt


In Debt
25%
Debt Free
75%

According to the survey, 25% of the people in Belarus have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 75% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Debt-to-income ratio in Belarus

Debt to income ratio

29%

21% to 38%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 29% of the people's monthly income in Belarus goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%13%
40% - 50%12%
30% - 40%14%
20% - 30%14%
10% - 20%17%
0% - 10%27%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Belarus pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 13% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 14% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Belarus

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage12%
Auto Loan21%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card26%
Personal Loan38%

12% of debtors in Belarus confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 26% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 21% of people and personal loans rose at 38%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Belarus.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Belarus

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Belarus how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never54%
Once a year22%
Twice a year12%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Belarus

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Belarus

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment
250 BYN 370 BYN 980 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$75 $110 $300
1-bedroom apartment
370 BYN 590 BYN 1,500 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $180 $450
2-bedroom apartment
490 BYN 740 BYN 2,000 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150 $230 $600
3-bedroom apartment
590 BYN 980 BYN 2,700 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180 $300 $820
Furnished apartment
1,200 BYN 2,900 BYN 5,900 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$360 $900 $1,800
Townhouse
980 BYN 1,500 BYN 4,200 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $450 $1,300
House
1,200 BYN 2,900 BYN 5,900 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$360 $900 $1,800
Villa
1,500 BYN 3,700 BYN 5,900 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$450 $1,100 $1,800

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Belarus ranges between 250 BYN and 980 BYN, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 370 BYN to 1,500 BYN. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 490 BYN and 2,000 BYN per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 590 BYN to 2,700 BYN. The average rent of a townhouse in Belarus is around 1,500 BYN while house rental costs can be as high as 2,900 BYN per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 1,500 BYN to 5,900 BYN per month.



Apartment and house prices in Belarus

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment
49,000 BYN 74,000 BYN 150,000 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15,000 $23,000 $45,000
1-bedroom apartment
59,000 BYN 98,000 BYN 370,000 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18,000 $30,000 $110,000
2-bedroom apartment
98,000 BYN 290,000 BYN 590,000 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$30,000 $90,000 $180,000
3-bedroom apartment
330,000 BYN 490,000 BYN 1.5M BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100,000 $150,000 $450,000
Townhouse
420,000 BYN 980,000 BYN 3.7M BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$130,000 $300,000 $1.1M
House
490,000 BYN 2.9M BYN 4.2M BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150,000 $900,000 $1.3M
Villa
590,000 BYN 3.3M BYN 4.9M BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180,000 $1M $1.5M

The average price of a studio apartment in Belarus can range from 49,000 BYN to 150,000 BYN depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 59,000 BYN to 370,000 BYN. A villa can cost you 3.3M BYN on average with prices ranging from 590,000 BYN to 4.9M BYN.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Belarus will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


38 x110 monthly income 206
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Belarus can be x110 to x206 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x110 multiples of the average monthly salary in Belarus.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


21% 31% of income 41%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Belarus is around 31%. This means that people pay 31% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 41% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
29%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.1%
AVERAGE
3.1%
TO
4.1%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


4.4 BYN 58 BYN 580 BYN
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.


Single
Spending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Belarus

Housing32%

32% of total expenses on average (20% to 44%)

LOW$73   240 BYN
AVERAGE$220   720 BYN
HIGH$1,500   4,800 BYN
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water8%

8% of total expenses on average (4% to 13%)

LOW$12   40 BYN
AVERAGE$37   120 BYN
HIGH$240   800 BYN
Per Month

Transport, Fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$16   53 BYN
AVERAGE$49   160 BYN
HIGH$330   1,100 BYN
Per Month

Food and Groceries18%

18% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)

LOW$33   110 BYN
AVERAGE$98   320 BYN
HIGH$650   2,100 BYN
Per Month

Healthcare11%

11% of total expenses on average (5% to 15%)

LOW$18   60 BYN
AVERAGE$55   180 BYN
HIGH$370   1,200 BYN
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (3% to 6%)

LOW$10   33 BYN
AVERAGE$31   100 BYN
HIGH$200   660 BYN
Per Month

Education2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)

LOW$4.1   13 BYN
AVERAGE$12   40 BYN
HIGH$81   270 BYN
Per Month

Other Expenses20%

20% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)

LOW$37   120 BYN
AVERAGE$110   360 BYN
HIGH$730   2,400 BYN
Per Month


Couple
Average monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Belarus

Housing29%

29% of total expenses on average (22% to 39%)

LOW$110   370 BYN
AVERAGE$340   1,100 BYN
HIGH$1,800   5,800 BYN
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water7%

7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$17   55 BYN
AVERAGE$51   170 BYN
HIGH$270   890 BYN
Per Month

Transport, Fuel10%

10% of total expenses on average (4% to 15%)

LOW$41   130 BYN
AVERAGE$120   400 BYN
HIGH$650   2,100 BYN
Per Month

Food and Groceries16%

16% of total expenses on average (11% to 21%)

LOW$47   150 BYN
AVERAGE$140   460 BYN
HIGH$760   2,500 BYN
Per Month

Healthcare13%

13% of total expenses on average (7% to 17%)

LOW$37   120 BYN
AVERAGE$110   370 BYN
HIGH$600   1,900 BYN
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW$20   66 BYN
AVERAGE$61   200 BYN
HIGH$330   1,100 BYN
Per Month

Education2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)

LOW$6.8   22 BYN
AVERAGE$20   66 BYN
HIGH$110   350 BYN
Per Month

Other Expenses19%

19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)

LOW$58   190 BYN
AVERAGE$170   560 BYN
HIGH$920   3,000 BYN
Per Month


Family
Average monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Belarus

Housing28%

28% of total expenses on average (23% to 38%)

LOW$150   500 BYN
AVERAGE$430   1,400 BYN
HIGH$2,400   7,800 BYN
Per Month

Transport, Fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW$38   120 BYN
AVERAGE$110   350 BYN
HIGH$600   1,900 BYN
Per Month

Food and Groceries20%

20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)

LOW$85   280 BYN
AVERAGE$240   800 BYN
HIGH$1,300   4,400 BYN
Per Month

Healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)

LOW$38   120 BYN
AVERAGE$110   350 BYN
HIGH$600   1,900 BYN
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW$24   77 BYN
AVERAGE$68   220 BYN
HIGH$370   1,200 BYN
Per Month

Education14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW$66   220 BYN
AVERAGE$190   620 BYN
HIGH$1,000   3,400 BYN
Per Month

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$57   190 BYN
AVERAGE$160   530 BYN
HIGH$900   2,900 BYN
Per Month


Student
Cost of living and expenses break down for students living in Belarus

Housing20%

20% of total expenses on average (15% to 26%)

LOW$39   130 BYN
AVERAGE$97   320 BYN
HIGH$180   570 BYN
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)

LOW$6.5   21 BYN
AVERAGE$16   53 BYN
HIGH$29   95 BYN
Per Month

Transport, Fuel5%

5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$11   37 BYN
AVERAGE$28   93 BYN
HIGH$51   170 BYN
Per Month

Food and Groceries22%

22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)

LOW$32   110 BYN
AVERAGE$81   260 BYN
HIGH$150   480 BYN
Per Month

Healthcare8%

8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$9.7   32 BYN
AVERAGE$24   79 BYN
HIGH$44   140 BYN
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW$8.1   26 BYN
AVERAGE$20   66 BYN
HIGH$37   120 BYN
Per Month

Education19%

19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)

LOW$31   100 BYN
AVERAGE$77   250 BYN
HIGH$140   450 BYN
Per Month

Other Expenses17%

17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)

LOW$24   79 BYN
AVERAGE$61   200 BYN
HIGH$110   360 BYN
Per Month
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