Most Belarusians believe that 2023 was a successful year for them, the poll shows

The Sociology Institute at the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Belarus conducted a study, revealing how Belarusians assess the outgoing year 2023 and what they expect from 2024, with details reported by the NAS press service

In order to study public opinion on issues of concern to the population, the NAS’ Sociology Institute conducted a telephone survey in December 2023. The study was conducted in all regional cities and in Minsk, separate district towns and rural settlements (sampling error ±3.3 percent), involving 900 adult citizens.

According to the results of the study, the majority of Belarusians believe that 2023 was a successful year for them. This opinion was shared by 74 percent of respondents. However, the opposite opinion is also widespread – according to the data obtained, the past year was unsuccessful for 19.3 percent of respondents while 6.7 percent of those polled found it difficult to answer this question.

In general, Belarusians are quite optimistic about the future. Most respondents are convinced that the coming year 2024 will be better for them personally than the outgoing year 2023 (65.2 percent). At the same time, 18.0 percent of survey participants do not expect changes at all and are of the opinion that next year will be the same as this year. Only 2.6 percent of Belarusians believe that 2024 will be worse for them than 2023, and 14.1 percent found it difficult to answer this question.

Every second Belarusian sees off the outgoing year 2023 in a good mood (52.5 percent). At the same time, 39.7 percent of respondents described their mood during these pre-holiday days as neutral, and only 5.1 percent of those surveyed – as bad, 2.7 percent finding it difficult to answer this question.

Every third respondent named strong health (32.1 percent) as New Year’s wishes, the fulfilment of which Belarusians expect in the next 2024, and every fourth resident of our country – preservation of peace (19.6 percent). Somewhat less frequently, respondents mentioned family well-being (14.0 percent) and well-being in general (10.1 percent) as such. Some respondents wish for the best resolution of various everyday and material problems in the new year: increasing income levels (6.0 percent), solving housing problems (4.3 percent), good work and a successful career (3.0 percent). Other wishes were voiced by 7.4 percent.