The unemployment rate in Belarus continues to fall. At the end of the third quarter of 2026, it stood at 1.9%, compared with 2.1% in the second quarter. Thus, the figure has reached a new historical low. This was reported by BELTA, citing the weekly macro review of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB).

At the same time, real wages continue to rise. According to analysts at the EDB, in September 2026 they increased by 7.4% compared with the same period last year. For comparison, the annual growth in August was 8.1%.

What is happening with wages?

Real wages take price changes into account, so their dynamics show how the purchasing power of workers' incomes changes.

An additional boost to the incomes of public sector workers came from the increase in the base wage rate from September. According to the EDB, wage growth in the public sector amounted to 8.3% year‑on‑year, which is above the average for the economy.

Why is unemployment falling?

EDB analysts note that employers continue to raise wages, partly due to a shortage of workers. The decline in the unemployment rate from 2.1% to 1.9% reflects the labor market situation in the third quarter.

The bank believes that maintaining real income growth creates conditions for further expansion of consumer activity.

Thus, in the fall of 2026, Belarus simultaneously records a record‑low unemployment rate and rising real wages. These figures remain important indicators of the labor market and household income situation.