{"id":135566,"date":"2025-04-24T14:12:31","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T11:12:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/135566\/"},"modified":"2025-04-24T14:12:33","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T11:12:33","slug":"despite-lukasenkas-revival-efforts-rural-areas-continue-to-lose-population","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/135566\/","title":{"rendered":"Despite \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s revival efforts, rural areas continue to lose population"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka visited the Or\u0161a district in eastern Belarus three times over the past 12 months, most recently on April 21, to inspect the Lehma\u0161 plant\u2014which is part of the Russian defense industry\u2019s supply chain\u2014as well as local woodworking companies. Despite his government\u2019s efforts, attempts to revitalize the district have failed to gain momentum.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n (Pul Pervogo\/Pozirk's still)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Housing and jobs message<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A year ago, during another tour of the Or\u0161a district, the Belarusian ruler proposed that housing construction could help address the area\u2019s chronic labor shortage. He revisited this theme during his latest trip to Kopy\u015b\u2014his native village\u2014on April 21. While noting the village hosts a sawmill employing 50 workers and a bakery, he stressed the need for more housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka also proposed limiting new housing development in Minsk and regional capitals in an effort to encourage people to settle in rural areas like Kopy\u015b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population decline and vacancies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The population of the Or\u0161a district has declined by 5.6 percent over the past five years, dropping to 139,536. The city of Or\u0161a itself has seen a 5.9 percent decrease, with the population falling to 101,662 as of January 1. Kopy\u015b has experienced an even steeper decline, with a 14.3 percent drop, leaving just 600 residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On April 21, there were 2,893 job vacancies in the district, according to the State Employment Center. These vacancies represent 4.7 percent of the roughly 59,000 people employed in the local economy. The district\u2019s budget remains heavily dependent on subsidies, which account for over 25 percent of total funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of failed revitalization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over his three decades in power, \u0141uka\u0161enka has launched numerous programs aimed at reviving small towns and rural communities. Yet, these initiatives have consistently fallen short. Many residents continue to leave in search of better-paying jobs in urban centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since \u0141uka\u0161enka came to power, Belarus has lost 1.1 million people, in part due to emigration as citizens pursue greater opportunities abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The uncertainty of the current political and economic climate further hampers long-term planning. For example, the Or\u0161a-based Lehma\u0161 plant, which manufactures a range of steel and cast-iron products, is currently profiting from Russian military orders. But what happens if Russia and Ukraine reach a ceasefire? Would it still make sense to invest in a new residential neighborhood under such circumstances?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the Belarusian economy increasingly dependent on a militarized Russia intent on territorial expansion, long-term planning is more difficult than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bleak outlook for countryside<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Small towns and rural areas across Belarus are deteriorating, with little hope for meaningful improvement. While touring the provinces, \u0141uka\u0161enka continues to make optimistic pronouncements and promise a brighter future. Yet he has failed even to turn his own hometown into a model of prosperity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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