Increase in Belarusian pensions exists only on paper

In a significant development, Belarus has witnessed its highest level of annual consumer price increase since February 2023, with prices rising by 7.4% in July 2025. This escalation puts pressure on the economy, particularly on pensioners, who are set to receive a 5% increase in their labor pensions as of September 1, 2025.

The average labor pension in Belarus is expected to reach 980 rubles following the increase. This represents an increase of 167 rubles, or 20.5%, compared to September 2024. The total amount spent on pension payments in September 2025 will be 2.2 billion rubles, with an additional cost of 107 million rubles due to the pension increase.

However, the rising prices continue to put pressure despite the temporary relief from the pension increase. Food prices have increased by 10.6% over the year, services by 7.6%, and non-food goods by 3%. These increases have led to a downward trend in the real income of pensioners, as their purchasing power diminishes due to inflation and its acceleration (7-10%).

In contrast, there is no specific information available about the "elite" pensions for judges, prosecutors, deputies, and state officials. These pensions are not mentioned in official reports on the increase in labor pensions, and no information is provided about the amount of "elite" pensions. A comparison of ordinary and "elite" pensions would reveal a stark contrast unfavorable to social justice.

The pension increase in September 2025 will provide an additional 30-50 rubles to ordinary pensioners. This increment is insufficient to offset the impact of the rising prices, particularly in the food sector, where prices have increased by 10.6% over the year. The second pension increase in 2025 is 5%, following a 10% increase on February 1.

The situation highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the rising costs of living and ensure fairness in pension distribution. The government must consider the plight of ordinary pensioners and take necessary measures to mitigate the impact of inflation on their real income.