Belarus Increases Subsistence Minimum Budget by 1.2% Starting February 1, 2026

Belarus Adjusts Subsistence Minimum for Q1 2026

MINSK – Belarus has implemented an increase in its average per capita subsistence minimum budget by 1.2%, effective February 1, 2026. The new rate sets the average per capita subsistence minimum at Br496.96, marking an increase of 5.9 roubles. This adjustment, announced by the Ministry of Labour, will be valid until April 30, 2026, and represents the first recalculation of the subsistence minimum in the year 2026.

Detailed Breakdown Across Demographic Groups

The revised subsistence minimum budget includes differentiated rates for various socio-demographic categories:

• For the working-age population, the new rate is set at Br534.91, an increase of 9.94 roubles.
• Pensioners will see their subsistence minimum rise to Br360.75, up by 3.47 roubles.
• For children under three years of age, the amount is now Br308.10, an increase of 2.24 roubles.
• Children aged three to six will have a subsistence minimum of Br414.55, reflecting a 0.16 rouble increase.
• The rate for children aged six to eighteen is set at Br489.90, an increase of 10.31 roubles.

This 1.2% increase is relative to the standard that had been in effect since November 1, 2025.

Impact on Social Payments and Benefits

The increase in the subsistence minimum budget directly influences various social payments and benefits linked to it. These include child benefits and pension supplements, which are also set to rise. Separately, the monthly childcare allowances for children under three years of age also saw an increase on February 1, 2026. For the first child, the allowance is Br1000.86; for the second and subsequent children, it is Br1,143.84; and for a child with a disability, the allowance stands at Br1,286.82. Furthermore, all categories of labor pensions in Belarus were raised on the same date, with an average increase of approximately 10% for labor pensions. The average old-age pension is estimated to be Br1,070 following this recalculation.