Belarus allocates almost half of its budget to the social sector in 2022

24 мая 2022
Even in the most difficult times, Belarus did not abandon its social policy. Support for pensioners, large families, socially vulnerable strata of society, and free education and medicine. Such investments from the state are the result of the work of every Belarusian who pays taxes, thereby building a solid foundation for the development of a socially-oriented state. All citizens benefit equally: those who work and pay taxes as well as those who come from abroad once in six months with a Belarusian passport to be treated. 

A man has always been and still remains in the center of the Belarusian statehood. That is why we pay so much attention to the development of social policy. Our country is one of the few lands that allocates almost a half of the consolidated budget to the social sphere. This year it is 45%. The expenditures on education and medicine are considerable. 

Health workers

Up to 4 % of the whole GDP goes to medicine 

In order to enhance the quality of medicine, the state appropriates up to 4% of the overall GDP. And it assumes absolutely all costs from consultations with general practitioners and narrow specialists to surgical interventions. Even in conditions of coronavirus infection we were treated free of charge both at home and in hospitals. Hardly anyone thought about how much the health of the nation costs.

Vyacheslav Vashchilin, Deputy Director of the Russian Scientific and Practical Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery:

“The average cost of a stay in an intensive care ward can start from a figure of 500 rubles, depending on the medications and the care that needs to be given. This cost may increase.”

Equal guarantees

The Belarusians are used to the fact that the state will cure, train, support in case of maternity leave or upon completion of employment. Today everyone has equal social guarantees irrespective of percentage of tax deductions or lack of them. The level of unemployment in the country today, though not high, is up to 4% of the number of workers, the issues of involvement of citizens in the economy of the country are of particular attention.

The growth of those employed in the economy ensures the strengthening of social guarantees.

The state does not leave those who are temporarily unemployed alone but helps them to find a job. Moreover, it sends a lot of money for this. About one million will be sent for the implementation of the program document concerning labor market and the employment of population this year alone.

Each region created a single platform: the employment service. The allocations for unemployment and retraining are provided. Even beginner entrepreneurs are supported with a subsidy. There are conditions, and there are over 20 thousand vacancies in Minsk alone. 

Tatiana Podlivalcheva, head of the department of employment management of the committee on labor, employment and social protection of Minsk City Executive Committee:

“The advantage of our job fairs is the contact of an employer and a job seeker. There is an opportunity to clarify the nature of work, wages, working conditions.” 

But Belarusians are more amazed at the approaches of not the people who have temporarily lost their job, but those who either do not want to find it or have found it outside the country. One would think, work and live there, get medical treatment, but no, they come to Belarus for quality and affordable prices.