Key findings of the Belarusian household survey (February 2026):
- The consumer confidence index in Q1-2026 increased by 3.5 p.p. (according to Rosstat methodology) and amounted to -1.2%. Excluding the current economic conditions component (Eurostat methodology), the index amounted to -0.2%. The average value for EU countries in January 2026 was lower: -11.8%.
- Among the components of the consumer confidence index, respondents rated the least favorable over the past year the timing for major purchases (-8.8%), household financial situation (-6.5%), and the state of the Belarusian economy (- 5.3%), while the most positive assessments were given to expected household financial situation (+11.1%) and the economic situation in the country over the next year (+3.4%).
- 50% of respondents reported a labor shortage in their field of work. The share of respondents who lost their job in the past two weeks and those reporting that someone they knew lost their job remained minimal.
- The share of respondents reporting a reduction in income remained at 30%. However, optimism regarding the possibility of increasing income in Belarus somewhat outweighs pessimism: 36% of respondents reported seeing opportunities to increase their income over the next two years if current economic conditions in Belarus persist, while 24% noted that they see no such opportunities.