{"id":184557,"date":"2026-04-22T18:46:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T15:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/184557\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T18:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T15:46:24","slug":"minsk-and-smalavicy-rank-in-top-five-belarusian-cities-study","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/184557\/","title":{"rendered":"Minsk and Smalavi\u010dy rank in top five Belarusian cities \u2013 study"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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April 22, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Belarusian cities are \u201cemptying out and aging,\u201d with proximity to Minsk no longer ensuring urban growth, says a recent study by the Center for New Ideas presented today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ranking covers 40 Belarusian cities with populations above 19,000 and assesses them based on demographic stability, economic conditions, quality of life, local governance and tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minsk ranked first, followed by Brest, Hrodna, Smalavi\u010dy in the Minsk region and Viciebsk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smalavi\u010dy was the first in the \u201cdemographic stability\u201d category, alongside Hrodna, Brest and Minsk, where population growth has been recorded. In all other Belarusian cities, the population was declining, according to the study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the cities which previously showed strong growth and a high quality of life slipped in the recent ranking. These include Salihorsk and Dziar\u017eynsk in the Minsk region, which dropped to the 9th<\/sup> and 12th<\/sup> positions, respectively, after ranking in the top five in 2022. \u017dodzina in the Minsk region saw a more dramatic decline, dropping from 8th to 26th place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to population decline, Belarusian cities are also ageing, with rising average age levels across urban areas, the study said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The number of doctors has declined in nearly half of the cities included in the ranking, although some efforts have reportedly been made to improve staffing levels in regional centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts say key drivers of urban development in Belarus include proximity to the European Union, with western cities performing better, as well as economic diversification and demographic attractiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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