As of January 1, 2017, there were 1.852 million children under the age of 18 living in Belarus. Compared to the beginning of 2010, the number of children increased by 95,000 people (by 5.4%), the National Statistical Committee informed a BELTA correspondent.
As of January 1, 2017, there were 1.852 million children under the age of 18 living in Belarus. Compared to the beginning of 2010, the number of children increased by 95,000 people (by 5.4%), the National Statistical Committee informed a BELTA correspondent.
The country has 813,000 children under 6 years old (43.9%), 766,000 children aged 7-14 years (41.4%), and 273,000 children aged 15-17 years (14.7%).
Last year, 117.8 thousand children were born in Belarus, which is 9.7 thousand more newborns compared to 2010. The birth rate increased from 11.4 per 1,000 population in 2010 to 12.4 in 2016. More boys are born each year than girls. Thus, in 2016, 60.6 thousand boys and 57.1 thousand girls were born.
Significant attention is paid by the state and society as a whole to the protection of children left without parental care. As of the beginning of the current year, out of 20.2 thousand orphans, 16.3 thousand (81%) were raised in families, and 3.9 thousand orphans (19%) were in children's residential institutions.
In 2016, 3,879 preschool educational institutions operated in the republic, of which 2,076 were in cities and urban settlements, and 1,803 were in rural areas. 418.1 thousand children attended preschool educational institutions. Over the past five years, their number has increased by 30.7 thousand children, or by 7.9%.
As of the beginning of the 2016/2017 academic year, 3,155 daytime general education institutions operated in the republic, with 981.6 thousand students. Of these, 145.3 thousand students in 210 gymnasiums and 7.8 thousand children in 29 lyceums were studying advanced level programmes.
A system of additional education is in place: children's art studios, sports clubs, art schools, and other institutions are operating. In 2016, there were 3.2 thousand technical and sports-technical associations, 2.4 thousand ecological-biological associations, 2.9 thousand tourist-local history associations, 4.1 thousand physical culture and sports associations, 14 thousand art associations, and 4.8 thousand other associations. The total number of students in interest groups was 389,000 people.
The state pays great attention to strengthening material support for families in connection with the birth and upbringing of children. The amount of child benefit has increased by 8.2% compared to May 2016.
In order to reduce childhood diseases in the republic, vaccination is carried out. In 2016, 97.9% of children were vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), as well as pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus (DPT), and 98.4% against tuberculosis.
More than 6 thousand educational and health-improving institutions operate annually in the republic, including 4.5 thousand with day care and 1.5 thousand with round-the-clock child stays. In 2016, more than 360.3 thousand boys and girls rested in health camps.
International Children's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world on June 1. In Belarus, child protection, the defence of children's rights and interests is one of the priority areas of state activity. A National Commission for the Rights of the Child has been established in the republic to monitor compliance with children's rights and legitimate interests.