POVERTY REDUCTION FASTER IN CITIES THAN IN VILLAGES IN ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency
Dec 21 2007
Armenia

YEREVAN, December 21. /ARKA/. Poverty reduction rates in Armenian
cities exceed the similar indicators of the country’s villages, officer
of Armenia’s National Statistical Service Diana Martirosova said in
presenting the report on the social picture and poverty in Armenia.

Martirosova reported that in 2006 the highest rates of poverty
reduction – 28.1% as compared with 2004 – were recorded in Yerevan
where the main economic capacities are concentrated.

"In other cities of the country the poverty reduction rates are
somehow lower than in Yerevan – 18.5%," she said.

Martirosova also said that the poverty reduction indicators in
Armenia’s regions are in harmony with the trends in the countries of
Europe and Central Asian.

"Actual data of the studies conducted in these countries show that it
is the residents of capitals who take advantage of economic development
most of all. Rural areas are behind; population of other cities,
except the capital, take the advantage of economic development to
the least extent," she said.

According to the National Statistical Service, about 260,000 citizens
of Armenia overcame the poverty line in 2004-2006 and the share of
the poor in the country’s population reduced by 23.4%.

The study on the social picture and poverty in Armenia was conducted
in the country in the period from January 1 to December 31 2006 among
5,184 households in 29 cities and 112 villages. It has been prepared
with assistance of the World Bank, USAID and the ministries of labour
and social issues, healthcare, science and education.