Part 9/13:
However, beneath this veneer of stability, unrest simmers. Since the 2020 protests demanding democratic change, public dissatisfaction persists, exacerbated by rising inflation, stagnant wages, and a shrinking population—over 300,000 Belarusian citizens have left the country since 2020. Many emigrants send remittances, approximately $1 billion annually, supporting their families but also highlighting economic fragility.
The Military-Industrial and Strategic Depth
Belarus’s defense industry inherited from the Soviet era continues to be significant. It produces weapons, vehicles, and radar systems sold domestically and internationally—especially to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia—generating essential foreign currency and employment.