EDB: consumer demand drove economic growth in January-April

May 25, Pozirk. Consumer demand was the main driver of growth for gross domestic product (GDP) in January-April, the Eurasian Development Bank said in its recent report.
Growth picked up in April following a 0.4-percent decline in the first quarter of the year. In the first four months, retail trade grew by 6.2 percent with the situation in the investment sector gradually improving as well, the analysts noted.
The decline in construction activity eased from 4.2 percent to 2.8 percent, although industry continued to weigh on the economy, with output falling by 2.5 percent, the report said.
Rising consumer activity, investment and construction recovery are creating favorable conditions for faster GDP growth in the second quarter, the EDB noted.
Belarus’ GDP grew by 0.2 percent in the first four months of 2026.
Last year, the economy grew by 1.3 percent, falling short of the government’s targeted 4.1-percent expansion. This year, officials expect the economy to grow by 2.8 percent.
Belarus GDP up 0.2 percent in January–April after slowdown
- PoliticsReprisals: KGB harassing students, alumni, lecturers of blacklisted universityThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyLithuania sues Belarus over irregular migrationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, SecurityChrenin claims “collective West” may be preparing attacks on Belarus, RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Politics, Security
- Poland extends no-go zone at Belarus border until SeptemberThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyRussia said to account for 91 percent of light industry conglomerate’s exportsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyNearly 30 children hospitalized in Barysaŭ with food poisoningThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyTraffic accidents involving animals said to be on the rise in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- SocietyBelarus reports seizing military equipment parts smuggled from Russia to EUThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ gold and foreign exchange reserves reported down 1.5 percent in MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPolitical trials, arrests, searches reported in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyIrregular Belarus-EU crossings peak in May, Latvia primary targetThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsBelarus’ top diplomat discusses food security with minister from North KoreaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyCichanoŭskaja’s aide calls for solidarity with EHU amid raids on students’ families in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka, Putin hold phone talks days after meeting in AstanaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SportInternational Fencing Federation lifts all restrictions on Belarus’ athletesThe material is available only to POZIRK+



