No end in sight to emigration from Armenia

Yerevan (AsiaNews) – The exodus of Armenians from their homeland continues. Data show that in the first eight months of 2004, 497,000 people left the country against 450,000 who entered it for a total loss of about 50,000. Compared to 2003, the emigration rate was up by 38 per cent which represents an extra 13,000 emigrants. 

Although experts believe that the data should not be taken at face value—departures are often temporary—, they do highlight the fact that Armenia is experiencing a real loss in population. Men are the most likely to leave, seeking employment in neighbouring Russia, returning only for the Christmas holidays. Because of the skewed migratory patterns, Armenian women now represent 56 per cent of the population compared to 51 ten years ago.

Emigration is a sign of the tough economic times that followed the war with Azerbaijan (1991-1994) and the serious energy crisis that came with it.

Today, the economy is picking up—12 per cent annual growth—but not sufficiently to stop Armenians from going abroad.

Armenia has a population of about 3.8 million people. More than two thirds (67 per cent) live in the country's urban centres, more than 1.2 million in the capital Yerevan alone.  Almost two Armenians in three (64 per cent) are Orthodox; about 150,000 are Catholics.

According to the latest data (1999), the Armenian Diaspora stands at 15 million people. The largest communities are in Russia (2.8 million), the US (1.5 million) and France (400,000). (FC)

• armenia
• emigration
• poverty
• development
• economy
• diaspora
• refugees