The unemployment rate in Belarus fell from 2.1% in the second quarter to 1.9% in the third quarter of 2026, setting a new historical low. This is reported in the weekly macro review of the Eurasian Development Bank (EADB), which is cited by BELTA.

What does an unemployment rate of 1.9% mean

The unemployment rate is calculated as the ratio of the number of unemployed people to the size of the labor force.

A rate of 1.9% means that out of every 1,000 people in the labor force, only 19 are officially registered as unemployed.

In Belarus, this figure has traditionally been low, but 1.9% has become the lowest level ever recorded. The decline came against a backdrop of rising real wages.

Wages are rising, demand is being supported

According to the EADB, in September 2026 real wages increased by 7.4% year‑on‑year. In August, the growth was 8.1%. Although the pace has slowed slightly, it remains high.

An additional boost to the incomes of budget sector workers came from the increase in the basic wage rate from September. This allowed the budget sector to maintain a leading growth rate—an 8.3% year‑on‑year increase compared to the economy‑wide average.

"Maintaining the growth of real incomes creates conditions for further expansion of consumer activity," the EADB noted.

Rising wages act as fuel for domestic demand: people spend more, which supports trade and services.

Context: low unemployment and the labor market

A historical low in unemployment means that there are almost no free laborers left on the labor market. In such conditions, employers are forced to compete for employees by offering higher wages. This creates additional pressure on wage growth.

However, low unemployment can also signal structural constraints: a shortage of personnel in certain sectors and regions.

While the EADB macro review records a positive trend in incomes and consumer demand.