Social well-being of the population of the territories affected by the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the context of socio-economic challenges of recent years

Authors

  • Natalia F. Denisova Centre for System Analysis and Strategic Research, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 1 Academichnaja Street, Minsk 220072, Belarus
  • Elena V. Martishchenkova Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 1 Surganava Street, 2 building, Minsk 220072, Belarus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33581/2521-6821-2026-1-%25p

Keywords:

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, radionuclide contamination, monitoring, public opinion, social well-being, life satisfaction, social context of life

Abstract

Using data from public opinion monitoring on the problems and prospects for the socio-economic development of territories affected by the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, this article analyses the dynamics of the population’s social well-being in 2022–2025. The results suggest positive social well-being among residents of territories contaminated with radionuclides throughout the study period. During the period under review, an increase was recorded in public solidarity with the country’s general political course, along with a stronger positive perception of the national economy. Basing on the analysis, it is suggested that the achieved values of social well-being are close to the limit and the trend of increasing positive assessments in the future will slow down or cease, provided that there are no events and changes affecting the lives of large groups of the population.

Author Biographies

  • Natalia F. Denisova, Centre for System Analysis and Strategic Research, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 1 Academichnaja Street, Minsk 220072, Belarus

    senior researcher at the department of development of scientific and innovative sphere

  • Elena V. Martishchenkova, Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 1 Surganava Street, 2 building, Minsk 220072, Belarus

    researcher at the department of social theory and methodology

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Published

2026-10-12

Issue

No. 1 (2026): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Sociology

Section

To Know so that to Foresee...

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How to Cite

[1]
Denisova, N.F. and Martishchenkova, E.V. 2026. Social well-being of the population of the territories affected by the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the context of socio-economic challenges of recent years. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Sociology. 1 (Oct. 2026), 61–68. DOI:https://doi.org/10.33581/2521-6821-2026-1-%p.