Recent studies have highlighted the role of human capital and good economic institutions in establishing comparative advantage in trade in complex institutions-intensive goods. We show that the effect of institutions on comparative advantage in services trade is quite different.

This policy paper discusses the terminologies, the determinants of the entrepreneurial and innovative university (University 3.0) evolution in Belarus. Authors highlight the crucial role of institutions (formal/informal) in the configuration of this type of university in Belarus and provide recommendations on the development of a University 3.0 as a new, private institution with a high degree of autonomy.

This study allowed us to conduct a preliminary assessment of the needs of social entrepreneurs in Belarus in the context of information and consulting services and to determine the capabilities of existing business support centers in meeting such needs.

This paper examines the impact of the recent recession in Belarus on poverty and broader measures of household welfare and compares the recent recession episode to previous economic crises in Belarus.

From a short-term perspective and ‘local’ view, this does not seem to change the environment considerably. According to such view, given the commitment of the authorities to monetary and financial stability (since 2015 it seems to be rather firm) the decay of the ‘recovery growth mark-up’ does not mean anything except weaker growth of incomes. However, from a longer-term perspective and a ‘big picture’ view, one can detect such kind of threats.

Since the mid-2000s, the fertility rate in Belarus was increasing and staying higher than optimistic forecasts of the UN. However, since 2017 the trend has turned around without any negative shocks from the economy or demographic and social policy. This discussion paper analyzes what happens to Belarusian fertility, why this happens and how social policy affects fertility.