AsiaNews.it, Italy
Nov 6 2004
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)