Research · 28 April 2026
Belarusian Students in Europe: Numbers, Countries, Dynamics
The study offers a detailed analysis of educational migration from Belarus to 35 European countries, Turkey and Russia in 2013–2025. Over this period, the number of Belarusian students abroad declined in absolute terms, from around 34,000 in 2013 to 28,800 in 2023, but their share relative to the number of students inside Belarus grew significantly. Today, there are approximately seven students in Belarus for every Belarusian student abroad; ten years ago, the ratio was one to thirteen.
The directions of migration have changed dramatically. Russia’s share fell from 70% to 32% of the total, while Poland became the leading destination, rising from 11% to 44%. The shares of other countries in Eastern and Central Europe also increased significantly, while Western and Northern Europe saw stagnation or decline.
The study identifies important trends in the distribution of Belarusian students abroad and the reasons behind them, which may be useful for the development of educational and academic programmes. The study concludes with key findings and forecasts.