Introduction :: ARMENIA
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Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, the Ottoman Empire instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in at least 1 million Armenian deaths. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920.
Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, ethnic Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also seven surrounding regions, approximately 14 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution.
Turkey closed the common border with Armenia in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia over control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas, further hampering Armenian economic growth. In 2009, senior Armenian leaders began pursuing rapprochement with Turkey, aiming to secure an opening of the border, but Turkey has not yet ratified the Protocols normalizing relations between the two countries. In January 2015, Armenia joined Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Geography :: ARMENIA
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Southwestern Asia, between Turkey (to the west) and Azerbaijan; note - Armenia views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both
40 00 N, 45 00 E
Asia
total: 29,743 sq km
land: 28,203 sq km
water: 1,540 sq km
country comparison to the world: 143
slightly smaller than Maryland
total: 1,570 km
border countries (4): Azerbaijan 996 km, Georgia 219 km, Iran 44 km, Turkey 311 km
0 km (landlocked)
none (landlocked)
highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
mean elevation: 1,792 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: Debed River 400 m
highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m
small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite
agricultural land: 59.7%
arable land 15.8%; permanent crops 1.9%; permanent pasture 42%
forest: 9.1%
other: 31.2% (2011 est.)
2,740 sq km (2012)
most of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the capital of Yerevan is home to more than three times as many people as the second largest city in the country
occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
People and Society :: ARMENIA
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3,051,250 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
noun: Armenian(s)
adjective: Armenian
Armenian 98.1%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.1%, other 0.7% (2011 est.)
Armenian (official) 97.9%, Kurdish (spoken by Yezidi minority) 1%, other 1% (2011 est.)
Armenian Apostolic 92.6%, Evangelical 1%, other 2.4%, none 1.1%, unspecified 2.9% (2011 est.)
0-14 years: 19% (male 308,701/female 271,028)
15-24 years: 13.58% (male 213,203/female 201,291)
25-54 years: 43.46% (male 640,070/female 685,958)
55-64 years: 12.96% (male 180,700/female 214,834)
65 years and over: 10.99% (male 134,330/female 201,135) (2016 est.)
population pyramid:
Middle East
::ARMENIA
Population Pyramid
A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
total dependency ratio: 41.3%
youth dependency ratio: 26%
elderly dependency ratio: 15.3%
potential support ratio: 6.5% (2015 est.)
total: 34.6 years
male: 32.8 years
female: 36.5 years (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
-0.18% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
13.3 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
-5.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
most of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the capital of Yerevan is home to more than three times as many people as the second largest city in the country
urban population: 62.7% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: -0.11% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
YEREVAN (capital) 1,044 (2015)
at birth: 1.13 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.14 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
24.1 (2013 est.)
25 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
total: 13.1 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 14.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
total population: 74.6 years
male: 71.4 years
female: 78.3 years (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
1.64 children born/woman (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
54.9% (2010)
4.5% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 152
2.7 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
3.9 beds/1,000 population (2012)
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
improved:
urban: 96.2% of population
rural: 78.2% of population
total: 89.5% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3.8% of population
rural: 21.8% of population
total: 10.5% of population (2015 est.)
0.2% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
3,600 (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
100 (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
19.9% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 68
5.3% (2010)
country comparison to the world: 89
2.8% of GDP (2015)
country comparison to the world: 132
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.7%
female: 99.6% (2015 est.)
total: 12 years
male: 11 years
female: 14 years (2009)
total number: 19,596
percentage: 4%
note: data represent children ages 7-17 (2007 est.)
total: 36.1%
male: 31.8%
female: 41.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Government :: ARMENIA
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conventional long form: Republic of Armenia
conventional short form: Armenia
local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
local short form: Hayastan
former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic
etymology: the etymology of the country's name remains obscure; according to tradition, the country is named after Hayk, the legendary patriarch of the Armenians and the great-great-grandson of Noah; Hayk's descendant, Aram, purportedly is the source of the name Armenia
semi-presidential republic
note: a constituional referendum approved in December 2015 will change the government type to a parliamentary system, replacing the semi-presidential system and becoming effective for the 2017-18 electoral cycle
name: Yerevan
geographic coordinates: 40 10 N, 44 30 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan
21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
Independence Day, 21 September (1991)
previous 1915, 1978; latest adopted 5 July 1995; amended 2005, 2015; note - the 2015 amendment, approved in December 2015 by a public referendum and effective for the 2017-18 electoral cycle, changes the government type from the current semi-presidential system to a parliamentary system (2016)
note: the 2015 amendment, approved in December 2015 by a public referendum and effective for the 2017-18 electoral cycle, changes the government type from the current semi-presidential system to a parliamentary system (2016)
civil law system
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Armenia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Serzh SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Karen KARAPETYAN (since 13 September 2016)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in two rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 18 February 2013 (next to be held in February 2018); prime minister appointed by the president based on majority support in the National Congress; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Congress refuses to accept their program
election results: Serzh SARGSIAN reelected president in one round; percent of vote - Serzh SARGSIAN (RPA) 58.6%, Raffi HOVHANNISIAN (Heritage Party) 36.7%, Hrant BAGRATIAN (ANM) 2.2%, other 2.5%
note: constitutional changes adopted in December 2015 will transform the government to a parliamentary system by 2018; for the scheduled February 2018 election, the president will be indirectly elected by parliament and will serve a single 7-year term; following the 2018 election, the prime minister will be elected based on majority support of the National Assembly
description: unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; 90 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 41 directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 6 May 2012 (next to be held in the spring of 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - RPA 44%, Prosperous Armenia 30.1%, ANC 7.1%, Heritage Party 5.8%, ARF (Dashnak) 5.7%, Rule of Law 5.5%, other 1.8%; seats by party - RPA 69, Prosperous Armenia 37, ANC 7, Rule of Law 6, Heritage Party 5, ARF (Dashnak) 5, independent 2
highest court(s): Court of Cassation (consists of the court chairman and organized into the criminal chamber and a civil and administrative chamber, each with a chamber chairman and 2 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges nominated by the Judicial Council, a 9-member body of selected judges and legal scholars; judges appointed by the president; Constitutional Court judges - 4 appointed by the president, and 5 elected by National Assembly; judges of both courts can serve until retirement at age 65
subordinate courts: 2 Courts of Appeal (for civil cases and for criminal and military cases); district courts; Administrative Court
Armenian National Congress or ANC (bloc of independent and opposition parties) [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN]
Armenian National Movement or ANM [Ararat ZURABIAN]
Armenian Revolutionary Federation or ARF ("Dashnak" Party) [Hrant MARKARIAN]
Heritage Party [Raffi HOVHANNISIAN]
People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHIAN]
Prosperous Armenia [Naira ZOHRABYAN]
Republican Party of Armenia or RPA [Serzh SARGSIAN]
Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir) [Artur BAGHDASARIAN]
Aylentrank (Impeachment Alliance) [Nikol PASHINIAN]
Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]
ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Grigor HOVHANNISSIAN (since 28 January 2016)
chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976
FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982
consulate(s) general: Glendale (CA)
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard MILLS (since 13 February 2015)
embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082
mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, US Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020
telephone: [374](10) 464-700
FAX: [374](10) 464-742
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange; the color red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenian skies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of the workers who farm it
Mount Ararat, eagle, lion; national colors: red, blue, orange
name: "Mer Hayrenik" (Our Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Mikael NALBANDIAN/Barsegh KANACHYAN
note: adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922) but with different lyrics
Economy :: ARMENIA
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Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. Armenia has only two open trade borders - Iran and Georgia - because its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed since 1991 and 1993, respectively, as a result of Armenia's ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. The government has made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures have been ineffective. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms and strengthen the rule of law in order to regain economic growth and improve economic competitiveness and employment opportunities, especially given its economic isolation from two of its nearest neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Armenia's geographic isolation, a narrow export base, and pervasive monopolies in important business sectors have made it particularly vulnerable to the sharp deterioration in the global economy and the economic downturn in Russia. Armenia is particularly dependent on Russian commercial and governmental support and most key Armenian infrastructure is Russian-owned and/or managed, especially in the energy sector, including electricity and natural gas. Remittances from expatriates working in Russia are equivalent to about 20% of GDP and partly offset the country's severe trade imbalance. Armenia joined Russia in the Eurasian Economic Union upon the bloc's launch in January 2015, even though the ruble's sharp depreciation in December 2014 led to currency instability, inflation, and a significant decrease in exports from Armenia to Russia.
$26.56 billion (2016 est.)
$25.73 billion (2015 est.)
$24.97 billion (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
country comparison to the world: 137
$10.75 billion (2015 est.)
3.2% (2016 est.)
3% (2015 est.)
3.6% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
$8,900 (2016 est.)
$8,600 (2015 est.)
$8,400 (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
country comparison to the world: 145
18.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
18.3% of GDP (2015 est.)
13.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
household consumption: 72.5%
government consumption: 13.9%
investment in fixed capital: 20%
investment in inventories: 2.5%
exports of goods and services: 31.6%
imports of goods and services: -40.5% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 19.6%
industry: 29.1%
services: 51.3% (2016 est.)
fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock
diamond processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging and pressing machines, electric motors, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry, software, food processing, brandy, mining
4.2% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
1.559 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
agriculture: 39%
industry: 17%
services: 44% (2011 est.)
18.1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
32% (2013 est.)
lowest 10%: 3.7%
highest 10%: 24.8% (2012)
30.3 (2012)
31.3 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 119
revenues: $2.445 billion
expenditures: $2.969 billion (2016 est.)
22.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
-4.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
53.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
48.8% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
calendar year
-0.4% (2016 est.)
3.7% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
10.5% (10 February 2015)
8% (11 January 2012)
note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy instrument of the Armenian National Bank
country comparison to the world: 22
17.5% (31 December 2016 est.)
17.59% (31 December 2015 est.)
note: average lending rate on loans up to one year
country comparison to the world: 25
$1.178 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$1.149 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
$1.949 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$1.779 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
$5.307 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$5.022 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
$132.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)
$139.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)
$144.8 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
-$267 million (2016 est.)
-$279 million (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$1.678 billion (2016 est.)
$1.626 billion (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, gold, diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy
Russia 15.2%, China 11.1%, Germany 9.8%, Iraq 8.8%, Georgia 7.8%, Canada 7.6%, Bulgaria 5.3%, Iran 5.3% (2015)
$2.638 billion (2016 est.)
$2.78 billion (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, cars
Russia 29.1%, China 9.7%, Germany 6.2%, Iran 6.1%, Italy 4.6%, Turkey 4.2% (2015)
$1.512 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$1.775 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
$8.365 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$8.554 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
$4.817 billion (2013)
country comparison to the world: 102
drams (AMD) per US dollar -
492.7 (2016 est.)
477.92 (2015 est.)
477.92 (2014 est.)
415.92 (2013 est.)
401.76 (2012 est.)
Energy :: ARMENIA
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7.3 billion kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
5.1 billion kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
1.3 billion kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
26 million kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
4.1 million kW (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
32.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
34.3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
33.5% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)
country comparison to the world: 214
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
8,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
7,809 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
2.5 billion cu m (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
2.061 billion cu m (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)
country comparison to the world: 210
12 million Mt (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Communications :: ARMENIA
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total subscriptions: 551,366
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
total: 3.442 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
general assessment: telecommunications investments have made major inroads in modernizing and upgrading the outdated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; now 100% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion; mobile-cellular services monopo
domestic: reliable modern fixed-line and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan and in major cities and towns; mobile-cellular coverage available in most rural areas
international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent Sta (2015)
2 public TV networks operating alongside about 40 privately owned TV stations that provide local to near nationwide coverage; major Russian broadcast stations are widely available; subscription cable TV services are available in most regions; Public Radio (2015)
.am
total: 1.78 million
percent of population: 58.2% (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Transportation :: ARMENIA
-
number of registered air carriers: 3
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 (2015)
EK (2016)
11 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 154
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
gas 2,233 km (2013)
total: 780 km
broad gauge: 780 km 1.520-m gauge (780 km electrified)
note: 726 km operational (2014)
country comparison to the world: 97
total: 7,792 km (2013)
country comparison to the world: 142
Military and Security :: ARMENIA
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Armenian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Force and Air Defense; "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic": Nagorno-Karabakh Self-Defense Force (NKSDF) (2011)
18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation; 17 year olds are eligible to become cadets at military higher education institutes, where they are classified as military personnel (2012)
4.24% of GDP (2015)
4.29% of GDP (2014)
4.1% of GDP (2013)
3.92% of GDP (2012)
3.87% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 10
Transnational Issues :: ARMENIA
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the dispute over the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Armenian military occupation of surrounding lands in Azerbaijan remains the primary focus of regional instability; residents have evacuated the former Soviet-era small ethnic enclaves in Armenia and Azerbaijan; Turkish authorities have complained that blasting from quarries in Armenia might be damaging the medieval ruins of Ani, on the other side of the Arpacay valley; in 2009, Swiss mediators facilitated an accord reestablishing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey, but neither side has ratified the agreement and the rapprochement effort has faltered; local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders; ethnic Armenian groups in the Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian Government
refugees (country of origin): 16,611 (Syria - ethnic Armenians) (2015)
IDPs: 8,400 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2015)
stateless persons: 311 (2015)
illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe
