Statistical review for International Children's Day
As of January 1, 2022, there were 199,378 children under 18 years of age living in the Vitebsk region, accounting for 18.1% of the total population of the Republic of Belarus. Of these, 102,428 were boys (51.4%) and 96,950 were girls (48.6%). 162,338 children live in urban areas, which is 81.4%, and 37,040 children (18.6%) live in rural areas.
Belarus's multi-level education system ensures quality education and development for children. According to the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, at the beginning of the 2021/2022 academic year, 46,297 children attended 504 preschool educational institutions in the Vitebsk region. There were 115,895 students in 347 general secondary education institutions.
Children's health is of great importance for their future development, which is why it is essential to organize leisure and entertainment for children during the summer period. According to the Republican Center for Health Improvement and Sanatorium-Resort Treatment of the Population, 677 day and overnight camps for children operated, accommodating 40,956 children.
Cultural leisure and sports development for children are significant aspects of their lives. According to the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus and the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus, at the end of 2021, the number of club formations for children was 1,446, with 16,204 children participating. 27 children's libraries operated, serving 76,236 children. At the beginning of the 2021/2022 academic year, 57 art schools were functioning, with 15,516 students. 154,125 children engaged in physical culture and sports. 52 specialized children's and youth schools of the Olympic reserve and children's and youth sports schools enrolled 18,869 students.
According to a sample survey of households on living standards at the beginning of 2022, the percentage of children whose health parents assess as poor was 1.2%, satisfactory – 21.4%, and good – 77.4%.
It is no secret that children are active internet users. According to the sample survey of households on living standards, in 2021, 94.8% of children aged 6-17 used the Internet, of which 81.3% used it daily. In terms of Internet access frequency in 2021: occasionally – 5.1%, daily – 81.3%, at least once a week – 13.6%.
Internet users aged 6–17 access the internet for various purposes, for example: 98.8% – watching movies, listening to music, playing computer games, downloading; 81.2% – sending, receiving emails, negotiations; 77.9% of users access for education; 71.9% – communicating on social networks; 58.8% – reading, downloading newspapers, magazines, literature; 32.3% – searching for information about goods, services; 7.2% – ordering or selling goods, services.