Frantsky Sharyna, who lived in the first quarter of the 16th century, translated the Bible into Belarussian. Symeon of Polatsk was a 17th-century poet who wrote in Belarussian. Naksim Bahdanovich was an important 19th-century poet. Modern writers include Uladzimir Dubouka (1900–1976) and Yazep Pushcha, both poets. Kuzma Chorny and Kandrat Krapiva (1896–1991) were writers of fiction during the outpouring of Belarussian poetry and literature during the 1920s. Famous modern composers from Belarus included Dzmitry Lukas, Ryhor Pukst, and Yauhen Hlebau (1929-2000).

As of 2002, the National Library in Minsk held 7.6 million volumes. The country also had an extensive public library system. Universities with significant library holdings include the Belarussian State Polytechnical Academy (over two million volumes), Belarussian State University (1.7 million volumes), and the Minsk Teacher Training Institute (1.2 million volumes). The presidential library holds 1.5 million volumes, and the Gomel Regional Library has 1.3 million volumes.

The country records 14,392 monuments and historic sites. The State Art Museum in Minsk houses the country's largest collection of fine arts. The Belarussian State Museum of the History of World War II in Minsk houses artifacts and memorials of the country's great travails during the war. There is a historical and archaeological museum in Grodno and a natural history museum in Belovezskaja Pusca.

There were approximately 2,313,000 million main line telephones in service in 1997 with an additional 8,167 mobile cellular phones in use. The Ministry of Telecommunications controls all telecommunications through Beltelcom. In 1997, there were 3,020,000 radios and 2,520,000 television sets. The government operates the only nationwide television station; however, there are over 40 local stations. In 1998, there were 65 radio stations (28 AM and 37 FM). In 1997 there were 3.02 million radios and 2.52 million television sets.

The most widely read newspapers (with 2002 circulation figures) are Sovetskaya Belorussiya ( Soviet Belorussia, 330,000); Narodnaya Hazeta ( People's Newspaper, 259,597); Respublika ( Republic , 130,000); Vechernii Minsk (Evening Minsk, 111,000); Svaboda (90,000); Zvyazda (Star, 90,000) ; and Belorusskaya Niva ( Belarussian Cornfield, 80,000).

As of 2002, there were 23 Internet service providers serving about 180,000 customers. All ISPs are controlled by the state.

Though freedom of the press is granted in the 1996 constitution, the government continues to restrict this right through a virtual monopoly over forms of mass communication and its desire to limit media criticism of its actions. It controls the editorial content and policy of the largest circulation daily newspapers and of radio and television broadcasts and places severe restrictions on the editorial content of independent publications or broadcasts. Local radio and television stations are pressured to refrain from reporting on national issues. Government authorities reserve the right to ban and censor publications presenting critical reports on national issues.

Belarus' important organizations include the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Belarus. Important agricultural and industrial organizations include the Belarusian Peasants' Union, the Union of Entrepreneurs and Farmers, and the Union of Small Ventures. The National Academy of Sciences promotes public interest and education in science. The Belarusian Think Tanks is a public policy center involved in developing and promoting ideas to create democracy, market economy, and respect for human rights in Belarus.

Political interest youth organizations include the Belarusian Patriotic Youth Union and the Youth Front of Belarus (est. 1993). The Belarus Youth Information Center (YIC) was founded in 1994 to encourage and support youth involvement in science, culture, and education. The Belarusian Students Association is an affiliate member of the National Union of Students in Europe (ESIB). A scouting organization is also present.

The lack of adequate, affordable housing continues to be a problem for Belarus, but certain advances have been made. After the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster, the government was forced to seal off 485 human settlement areas, displacing about 135,000 people. About 65,000 apartments and homes have since been built to house these people, but funds are still needed to rebuild the region. In 1990, Belarus had 17.9 square meters of housing space per capita and, as of 1 January 1991, 635,000 households (or 28.8%) were on waiting lists for housing in urban areas. Since 1992, the government has been reforming housing laws to secure the constitutional right of citizens to acquire, build, reconstruct, or lease housing facilities.

The official language is Belarussian, which is written in the Cyrillic script. For the year 2000, the adult illiteracy rate was estimated at 0.6% (males, 0.3%; females, 0.6%). Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 15. Secondary education lasts for five to seven years, beginning at age 12. The government is now putting more emphasis on replacing Russian with Belarussian. Approximately 97% of primary-school-age children are enrolled in school. In 1997, there were 625,000 students registered in primary schools and secondary-level schools had 1,064,700 students. In the same year there were 4,511 preschools, 4,820 general-education schools, 249 vocational and technical schools, and 151 state-run specialized secondary schools; altogether the public education system had about 200,000 teachers.

There are three universities in Belarus. The largest is the Belarussian State University, which is located in Minsk and was founded in 1921. Along with these universities, there are four polytechnical institutes and 19 educational institutes. All higher-level institutions had 328,746 students and 40,300 teaching staff in 1997.

As of 1999, public expenditure on education was estimated at 5.6% of GDP.

The government has subsidized food and other basic goods to preserve social stability. Many factories have given workers mandatory unpaid vacations and four-day workweeks to avoid closing down. Old age, disability, and survivors are protected by a social insurance system updated in 1999. Sickness, maternity, work injury, family allowance and unemployment insurance legislation were revised in 1992 and 1993. The 1993 law on pensions requires employers to contribute between 4.7% to 35% of payroll, depending on the type of company. Retirement is set at age 60 for men and age 55 for women.

The human rights record of Belarus has worsened in recent years, after President Lukashenka amended the constitution to extend his stay in office and handpick members of parliament. Reports of police brutality are widespread and prison conditions are poor. Arbitrary arrests and detention have been reported, as well as incidents of severe hazing in the military. The government abridges freedom of the press, speech, assembly, religion, and movement. Religious freedom and equality is provided for in the Constitution, but religions other than Russian Orthodox are discriminated against.

While there are no legal restrictions on women's participation in public life, social barriers are considerable, and women with children commonly experience discrimination when it comes to job opportunities. The law mandates equal pay for equal work, but few women reach senior management or government positions.