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Belarusians abroad 3.5 million

The number Alexander Rumak is putting out: over 3.5 million Belarusians living beyond the country's borders. Rumak's title is Commissioner for Religious and National Affairs. Since 2020 the outflow has grown considerably, and the makeup of it matters. Specialists are the ones departing, and businesses are setting up operations abroad alongside them. Poland is a primary destination. What began as a short stay is turning into something else, with people establishing permanent residence and dealing with housing, education, taxation and business systems in host countries. The text ties the whole trend to a simple claim: the fewer rights and freedoms at home, the more willing people are to stay away from the Motherland.

1h

Pavellim@pavellim

Follow

Belarusians abroad 3.5 million

The number Alexander Rumak is putting out: over 3.5 million Belarusians living beyond the country's borders. Rumak's title is Commissioner for Religious and National Affairs. Since 2020 the outflow has grown considerably, and the makeup of it matters. Specialists are the ones departing, and businesses are setting up operations abroad alongside them. Poland is a primary destination. What began as a short stay is turning into something else, with people establishing permanent residence and dealing with housing, education, taxation and business systems in host countries. The text ties the whole trend to a simple claim: the fewer rights and freedoms at home, the more willing people are to stay away from the Motherland.

1h