ARMSTAT PRESENTS 8-TH ANNUAL REPORT

ARMENPRESS
Dec 21, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenian National Statistical Service
(Armstat) presented today its 8-th annual report on social situation
and poverty, compiled on the results of a comprehensive study of
5,184 Armenian households last year.

Armstat head, Stepan Mnatsakanian, said the study was conducted with
the support of World Bank ‘to reflect all economic and social changes
that occurred in Armenia in 2004-2006."

The presentation was attended by officials from the World Bank
and USAID.

Diana Martirosian, an Armstat expert, said the main leverages behind
poverty reduction scale were labor market consolidation, rise of
salaries, pensions and other social benefits prompted by the continued
economic growth.

She said the ongoing rise in the volume of money transfers sent by
Armenians to relatives and families in Armenia has slashed the income
and consumption gaps.

However, she said poverty is still a major problem for Armenia since
26.5 percent of its population of 850,000 people are still poor and
130,000 of them are classified as extremely poor.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress