Geographic patterns of divorce rates and risks of marriage and partnership dissolution in Belarus based on data from two waves of the Generations and Gender Programme

Authors

  • Ekaterina A. Antipova Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Elena E. Makarevich Belarus State Economic University, 26 Partyzanski Avenue, Minsk 220070, Belarus

Keywords:

Belarus, geography of crude divorce rates, spatial differences, risks of marriage and partnership dissolution
Supporting Agencies
The article was prepared based on the results of research work carried out within the framework of the international technical assistance project «Strengthening the scientific and educational potential of the Republic of Belarus in the field of collection, analysis and use of demographic data to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals», approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 12 March 2021 No. 141 «On approval of international technical assistance projects» and registered in the database of international technical assistance projects and programs of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus on 15 March 2021 (state registration No. 2/21/001130).

Abstract

Based on official statistical information from Eurostat, the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus and the results of two waves of the survey conducted within the framework of the UNECE Generations and Gender Programme (2017 and 2023), an interdisciplinary analysis of the geography of divorce and the risks of marriage and partnership dissolution in Belarus was conducted for the first time. Using the comparative geographical method, it was found that Belarus is characterised by a higher crude divorce rate compared to European countries (3.7 ‰). The application of the cartographic method made it possible to reveal that the crude divorce rate among urban residents is higher than among rural residents, and to identify three areas of zone of higher crude divorce rates: the central area, formed by the districts of the Minsk Region, which are located in the gravitational zone of the capital; the north-eastern area, including certain districts of the Vitebsk Region; the south-eastern area, uniting some districts of the Gomel Region. The analysed data on the risks of marriage and partnership dissolution in Belarus are to some extent similar to similar indicators recorded in European countries. Such risks include the duration of the union, age of partners at the time of its formation, the presence of children, dysfunctional family experience (experience of partnerships) of parents, as well as the presence of thoughts of separation. An assessment of the risk of dissolution of marriages and partnership unions depending on their duration showed that the maximum risk shifts to the first years of life together (primarily in partnership unions concluded after 2010). An assessment of the risk of union dissolution depending on the age of partners at the time of its formation demonstrated that the risk of unions dissolution decreases with increasing age of respondents. An assessment of the risk of dissolution of marriages and partnership unions depending on the presence of children allowed us to conclude that the presence of children significantly reduces the risk of separation and especially divorce. The study conducted using the example of Belarus found that the risk of breakup in partnership unions significantly exceeds the risk of marriage dissolution.

Author Biographies

  • Ekaterina A. Antipova, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    doctor of science (geography), full professor; professor at the department of economic and social geography, faculty of geography and geoinformatics

  • Elena E. Makarevich, Belarus State Economic University, 26 Partyzanski Avenue, Minsk 220070, Belarus

    PhD (economics); associate professor at the department of statistics, faculty of digital economy

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Published

2026-02-25

Issue

No. 2 (2025): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Geography and Geology

Section

Geography

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How to Cite

[1]
Antipova, E.A. and Makarevich, E.E. 2026. Geographic patterns of divorce rates and risks of marriage and partnership dissolution in Belarus based on data from two waves of the Generations and Gender Programme. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Geography and Geology. 2 (Feb. 2026), 30–47.