PEOPLE
Nationality: Noun--Belarusian(s). Adjective--Belarusian.
Population (Jan. 2008 est.): 9,689,700 (Urban 73%; rural 27%).
Population decline (2007 est.): -0.30%.
Ethnic groups (1999 census): Belarusian (81.2%), Russian (11.4%), Polish (3.9%), Ukrainian (2.4%), Jewish (0.3%), other (0.8%).
Religions (2004 est.): Eastern Orthodox 80%, Catholic 14%, Protestant 2%, other (including Autocephalous Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, and Krishna) 4%.
Languages: Belarusian and Russian (official).
Education: Literacy--99.6%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2007 est.)--6.63/1,000. Life expectancy (2007 est.)--70.05 years (men 64.31 years, women 76.14 years).
Work force (4.3 million as of December 31, 2005): Industry--26.7%; agriculture and forestry--10.6%; construction--7.9%; transportation, communications--7.6%; trade, catering--12.2%; education--10.7%; other--24.3%.
