First-level divisions of Belarus: population and official figures
Belarus is divided into 7 first-level divisions. The largest by population is Minsk City with 1,984,000 people (20.9% of the total); the smallest is Grodno with 1,052,000. Population figures are World Bank estimates from its Subnational Population database, which ends in 2016; the country's own statistics office publishes later figures.
Who governs Belarus's first-level divisions?
Regions – voblasts (6) and Minsk city: Regional council of deputies directly elected for five years; head of the regional executive committee appointed by the President and confirmed by the council. Regional budget, economy, health and education oversight.
How local power works in Belarus · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 7 first-level divisions, largest first
| # | First-level division | Population | Year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minsk City | 1,984,000 | 2016 | 20.9% |
| 2 | Gomel | 1,426,000 | 2016 | 15.0% |
| 3 | Minsk | 1,398,000 | 2016 | 14.7% |
| 4 | Brest | 1,391,000 | 2016 | 14.6% |
| 5 | Vitebsk | 1,193,000 | 2016 | 12.5% |
| 6 | Mogilev | 1,064,000 | 2016 | 11.2% |
| 7 | Grodno | 1,052,000 | 2016 | 11.1% |
Cities: the largest cities of Belarus.
More on Belarus: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- World Bank: Subnational Population database (World Bank DataBank source 50), SP.POP.TOTL, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b835583e3a28…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.