GDP in Belarus grows 1.5% in Jan-Oct

MINSK. Nov 18 (Interfax) - GDP in Belarus grew 1.5% year-on-year to 234.6 billion Belarusian rubles in January-October, the country's National Statistics Committee (Belstat) reported.

GDP grew 1.6% in January-September and January-August. Growth slowed to 1.3% in January-July from 2.1% in January-June, 2.5% in January-May, 2.8% in January-April and 3.1% in January-March.

The GDP deflator was 113% for January-October.

The Belarusian government forecasts GDP will grow at least 4.1% in 2025.

The International Monetary Fund in October lowered its estimate for GDP growth in Belarus in 2025 to 2.1% from 2.8%, and its 2026 growth forecast from 2% to 1.4%. The World Bank in October lowered its Belarusian GDP growth forecast for 2025 to 1.9% from 2.2% and forecast 1.3% growth for 2026. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development expects 1.7% growth in 2025 and 2.3% in 2026.

GDP grew 4% in 2024 and 3.9% in 2023 after falling 4.7% in 2022.

The government is targeting at least 2.8% GDP growth in 2026.