Belarus’ economy expanded by 1.6% in the period from January to August 2025, according to preliminary estimates from the National Statistical Committee, state news agency BelTA reported on 17 September.

The country’s gross domestic product amounted to Br180.1bn in current prices during the first eight months of the year, representing a 1.6% increase in comparable prices compared with the same period in 2024.

The GDP deflator index — a measure of price changes across the economy — was reported at 112.3% y/y, indicating that inflationary pressures remain embedded in Belarus’ growth figures.

BelTA noted: “Belarus’ GDP went up by 1.6% in January-August 2025,” citing data from the statistical committee.

The modest expansion underlines the fragile state of the Belarusian economy, which has faced Western sanctions, limited access to international capital markets, and continued dependence on Russia for trade and financial support since 2022.

The Belarus’ economy has been under Western sanctions since President Alexander Lukashenko backed Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The restrictions have cut Minsk off from international capital markets and forced it to deepen reliance on Russia for trade, investment, and financial support.

In 2024, Belarus’ growth was just under 3%, according to official figures — well below pre-2020 trends. This year’s slower pace suggests the sanctions drag, combined with elevated inflation, is weighing on household incomes and industrial output.

Russia growth has also slowed markedly from 4.3% in the last two years to an expected 1.2% this year.