Belarusians are spending more on food and clothing, do not want to move to another country, and place health and family at the forefront of their values. They consider peaceful life the main achievement of modern Belarus. These are the results of a large-scale republican public opinion study conducted by the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on behalf of BISI in July-August 2026.

The most important social study, according to experts, is what is called 'from the ground,' which concerns Belarusians in their daily lives. Material well-being, social policy, quality of healthcare and education—in short, the concepts and values that make up real life.

The social study was conducted using a door-to-door survey principle, covering 99 populated places—villages and large cities. This is what the questionnaire looked like, with a list of questions to which respondents were asked to answer honestly. It covered financial situation, values, priorities, trust in the state. Two thousand people shared their opinions.

For two months, volunteers collected opinions from various Belarusians: men, women, youth, elderly, people of different education levels, interests, and income. Representatives of different nationalities

Economics is the biggest block, largely shaping the overall feeling of a Belarusian and his life satisfaction. Moreover, state policy in general is oriented toward people's well-being. Thus, 80% of respondents rated their material situation as good; for experts, this is an indicator of the social development program in action, and the prosperity of an individual family influences the country's economy as a whole. Most Belarusians are also satisfied with their workplace – there is motivation to work – productivity will grow, and then the country's economy. By the way, it is better to earn than to suffer and rest – this principle is chosen by the majority of Belarusians. For us, a rational approach and budget planning are characteristic. Savings are increasingly entrusted to the national currency. To the question 'Is there enough for food?' – 93% of people answered positively; by the way, five years ago this indicator was significantly lower.

Alexey Avdonin, Chairman of the Board of the Belarusian Society 'Knowledge': 'There has been growth in confidence in the consumption of food products, clothing, medicines, and medical services. This, among other things, is an important indicator that basic needs, primarily food needs, are satisfied and, as a result, consumption of goods such as clothing and leisure is growing. This is an important aspect of such classical economics, which speaks of the overall growth of well-being of our population.'

Social research for experts – as a sensitive barometer – allows diagnosing people's well-being. Where does it hurt? What pleases? And plans for the future? Not just out of curiosity, the method is based on a scientific approach: all data are carefully analyzed, conclusions – allow seeing the strengths and weaknesses of all

The client for the social survey was the Institute of Strategic Research, which also provides an opportunity to understand dynamics. As the economy develops dynamically. The world is changing and nothing can be expected. Plus external turbulence - all this prepares both society and government for new challenges, meaning joint work on a peaceful front.

Vitaliy Puntchenko, deputy director of the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research: "We are at the start of the economic five-year plan, which is innovative, breakthrough-oriented, it is based on public proposals, and it is important precisely at the start to check the clock. To see how society has reacted to certain new positions and then adjust and revise forecast documents and final documents. We assess the economy by statistical data, while society does so by its own internal feelings, and we have collected these internal feelings. For example, the inflation index will decrease, and society will feel price growth, and if such a feeling exists, we must figure it out. It is important that statistically unified things complement sociological ones."

In response to questions about spending on alcohol and tobacco products, 60% answered that they do not spend anything at all. Health - in general became another trend. As, after all, domestic tourism. Belarusians started traveling more within the country, spending less on transport and utilities. At the same time, since the social sphere - always sensitive - queues in hospitals, shortage of narrow specialists in regions - the survey allows seeing and identifying problems.

Julia Abukhovich, economic analyst: "Some people don't have enough salary, someone cannot save money for making big purchases. But this is absolutely normal situation for any state."