Poverty in Armenia

School, Shamiram, Armenia © Onnik Krikorian

In common with other post-Soviet countries, Armenia suffered a dramatic economic collapse in the years immediately following independence in 1991. The proportion of the population living below the poverty line rocketed from about 20% in 1990 to 90% in 1996. In these circumstances the standard target of halving poverty by reference to a baseline year of 1990 is inappropriate; instead the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Armenia seek to reduce poverty back to its 1990 level of 20% by 2015.

The economy has now recovered to exceed its pre-independence level but, due to greater inequality of income and a growing divide between the capital Yerevan and other regions, over 26% of the population remained in poverty in 2006. The poverty line is based on the cost of food plus basic essentials; less than 5% of the population fall into the category of extreme poverty, unable to afford the recommended minimum amount of daily food. The recent rate of progress suggests that the 2015 target for poverty reduction will be achieved. Conversely, the 2005 progress report concluded that all the Goals relating to health (child mortality, maternal mortality and HIV/AIDS) will be "hard to achieve" because of insufficient funding levels and inadequate access to healthcare for the poor.

Whilst it is not uncommon for countries with volatile recent histories to adjust the standard MDG targets, Armenia has taken this approach much further with no fewer than 29 of the 43 indicators amended to reflect its "national" circumstance. Many of the revised indicators improve on the MDG equivalent; for example, having already achieved universal primary education, the Goal has been modified to include secondary and professional education.
Gender in Armenia

The emigration of many men to find work in Russia and elsewhere has resulted in changes to the stereotypical roles of the largely patriarchal Armenian

Khndzoresk, Armenia © Onnik Krikorian

society. However, the number of women effectively abandoned by their absentee husbands has increased and domestic violence is also a significant problem. International organizations have only recently begun to address the issue after overcoming resistance from within the male-dominated society. The level of unemployment among women is also much higher than for men.

There are also serious concerns over the trafficking of women from Armenia to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Reports in local media have alleged that government officials are involved in the trade, although no charges have been brought. By contrast, non-officials accused of trafficking are usually prosecuted – but under different articles of the law which carry lesser sentences, raising concerns as to how serious the government considers the problem.
Health in Armenia

Faced with severe economic difficulties after the collapse of the Soviet Union and an out-dated and over-staffed healthcare system, the Armenian government has been unable to guarantee free healthcare for all. Even though some sections of the population are entitled to free treatment, a system of informal payments exists and as a result a sizeable percentage of the population instead resorts to self- or home-treatment.

Health concerns are mostly limited to reproductive health and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, with international organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) supporting treatment and public health programmes. Infant mortality, which rose significantly in the first years after independence, has started to stabilize in recent years, although overall life expectancy has declined.

The number of those officially registered as HIV-positive stood at 570 as of 31 March 2008. However, international organizations believe that the actual figure is 10 times higher. Despite generous support of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, the $38 million cost of Armenia’s programme for 2008-2012 is hopelessly unrealistic in relation to the government’s contribution for HIV/AIDS of less than $0.5 million in 2007.
Education in Armenia

The education system in Armenia is currently under reform, with a World Bank-initiated process of "optimisation" causing some concern. Plans to gradually close the Soviet-era specialized boarding schools for children with disabilities have been put on hold, as they now also accommodate normal children from vulnerable families.

As with the health sector, corruption is rampant throughout the education system, with cases of bribery and gift-giving by students to pass university entrance examinations. In June 2006, the Minister of Education warned that educational standards in Armenia were declining at an alarming rate.
Economy in Armenia

IDP from the 1988 Armenian Earthquake, Gyumri, Shirak Region © Onnik Krikorian

The Armenian economy is considered one of the most liberal in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Despite a record of strong economic growth, underpinned by remittances from the large overseas Armenian diaspora, the informal economy accounts for as much as 60% of GDP, impacting tax revenue and the state’s financial capacity to improve public services.

An economic blockade by Azerbaijan and Turkey as a result of the unresolved conflict over Nagorno Karabakh poses another barrier to sustainable economic development. In recent years, the Armenian Government has also turned its attention towards promoting tourism, but the necessary infrastructure remains lacking in the regions. Growth has been registered in other sectors of the economy such as IT, diamonds and construction, but the appreciation of the Armenian dram against the U.S. dollar continues to hit that part of the population reliant on remittances from abroad. In recent months, increases in prices of food worldwide have also started to affect Armenia.



The OneWorld Armenia Guide was first published in December 2004 with a text written by Volunteer Editor Onnik Krikorian

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