Demographic concerns for the Republic of Belarus
Most demographic for Belarus resembles other eastern European
countries, notably with both the population growth and the natural
growth rate in the negative. Most of the population is between the ages
of 14 and 64. Sixteen percent of the population is under 14 years,
while nearly fifteen are age 65 or older. The median age of the
population is 37. The average life expectancy for Belarusian citizens
is 69 years; for males it is 63 years and for females it is 75 years.
It is important to point out that the male population above the 85
shrunk due to the greatest world conflict- WWII (1939-1945). During the
1940’s the population of Belarus was also composed of various ethnic
groups; Jews were the second largest ethnic group, and comprised more
than 50 percent of the population in cities and towns. By the end of
the war, nearly a quarter of Belarus’ population was wiped out due to
the Holocaust and heavy German air raids; thus contributing to the
decline of the age population of males in the 80’s. A second
demographic concern is the Chernobyl Disaster perhaps greatest
catastrophe in the whole history of the energy use.
Belarus, again, has
suffered the most of all. About 70% of the radioactive contaminating
substances have fallen down on Belarus. 23% of its territory was
affected. Thousands of workers perished and many more were infected by
the radioactive waste. Therefore, this incident caused a slight decline
in the population of the working class. Lastly, the high level of
literacy contributes to the negative population growth and the low
fertility rate for women. The problem with low fertility is that it
reduces population size not at all ages but only among the young. Low
fertility produces an age structure that creates a momentum for future
population decline, a situation that must be stopped at some point if
the population is to be demographically sustainable. Also, population
with low fertility can fall in size at an extremely rapid rate. In conclusion, war, natural disaster, and literacy rates are all demographic concerns for the republic of Belarus.