NUMBER OF WOMEN MIGRANTS FROM ARMENIA CONSIDERABLY DECREASES IN 2005-2007

Noyan Tapan
Nov 28, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. 54-74 thousand migrants left Armenia
in 2005 for the purpose of working abroad. In 2006 this number made
60-81 thousand. Labor migrants mainly belong to 21-40 and 41-60 age
groups. The majority of migrants, 76.2% is married, and more than 75%
has secondary or vocational education. Labor migrants mainly leave
Armenia for Russian Federation. The main causes of labor migration are
problems connected with employment in Armenia, including low salary.

These data have been presented by the report of survey "Labor Migration
from Armenia in 2005-2007" made by the Leading Social Technologies
NGO. Its presentation took place on November 28. It should be mentioned
that a similar survey had been also held in 2002-2005.

As Anna Minasian, organization’s Chairwoman, said, the number of
woman migrants has considerably decreased as compared with the
previous years.

Thus, in 2002-2004 their number made 14.1%, while in 2005-2007 6.5%.

According to the survey, considerable decrease of the number of labor
migrants from Yerevan was noticed in 2005-2007, and the number of
migrants from rural ares increased parallel to this. The highest
migration rates were registered in Shirak and Lori regions.

A. Minasian said that the average salary of migrants in Armenia made
44 thousand drams (nearly 147 USD). The migrants’ average monthly
income in the hosting counry has increased by about 50% as compared
with 2005. In 2006 it made 643 USD against 410 USD in 2005. According
to her, in average the trips lasted eight month. Thus, during one
trip a migrant in average earns 5140 USD, 53% of which is sent to
his relatives residing in Armenia.

Over 70% migrants returned to Armenia by te end of 2006, and the
negative balance of migration made 29-35 thousand people.