Lukashenko Acknowledges Failure to Meet Key Economic Indicators in Belarus for 2025
Alexander Lukashenko, the head of the Belarusian regime, publicly criticized the government for the unsatisfactory performance of the country’s main planned economic indicators in 2025. Speaking at a government meeting on October 16, which focused on the results of the Belarusian economy and planning for the next year, he emphasized serious problems in key sectors.
This is reported by AgroReview
Issues with GDP Growth, Exports, and Inflation
According to Lukashenko, a recession continues in the country’s traditional industries, and three out of five main forecast indicators for the current year remain unmet. He identified the main failing parameters as the growth of gross domestic product (GDP), export volume, and the inflation rate. Thus, the country’s GDP grew by less than 2% over the first eight months of 2025.
“In several traditional industries, a recession continues. Three out of five key parameters of the forecast for this year are (so far) unmet. The gross domestic product has grown by less than 2% over the past 8 months,” Lukashenko said.
He also expressed doubt about the government’s ability to achieve the planned GDP growth of 2.8% for 2026. Lukashenko stressed the need to develop a realistic yet ambitious scenario for economic development due to the ambiguous situation in the country.
Impact of Recession in Russia and Border Situation
Among the main causes of economic difficulties, Lukashenko cited the economic downturn in the Russian Federation, which he described as Belarus’s main partner. In his opinion, the recession in the primary market complicates the fulfillment of planned indicators and requires more precise mobilization of economic resources in the country.
In addition to economic problems, Lukashenko drew attention to the complex geopolitical situation. He noted that it is difficult to focus on macroeconomic issues when “on one side of the fence, war is already raging, and on the other, people are rushing toward it at full speed.”
In September, the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service reported that Lukashenko intensified pressure on the country’s banking sector in search of additional financial resources to cover the deficit.