CAUCASUS RESEARCH RESOURCE CENTERS PRESENTS RESULTS FROM DATA INITIATIVE (DI) 2007 SURVEY

ARMENPRESS
Jan 30, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 30, ARMENPRESS: The Caucasus Research Resource Centers
(CRRC) presented today the results from the Data Initiative (DI) 2007
survey, which represents the 4th wave of information gathered via
300 questions addressed to adults from over 8000 households randomly
selected in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

The CRRC DI survey provides a unique opportunity to follow the
socioeconomic, demographic and political developments during the last
4 years.

The dataset also allows analysts to make parallels between the three
countries of the South Caucasus and the developments between rural
and urban areas within each country. It also sheds light on migration
patterns in the region by providing comprehensive information on both
returned migrants and migrants residing abroad.

Relevant to the current Armenian political environment, the dataset
provides new insights into Armenian political attitudes. About half of
the respondents in Armenia say they are "not interested" or "hardly
interested" in national politics.

Of those who are interested in politics, 36% stated that "quite
often" or "always" national politics seems too complicated to
understand. Moreover, only 38.6% of those who are interested in
national politics claimed that national politics was going in the
right direction.

According to DI 2007 data, 42% of the respondents in Armenia trust the
President, 19% – the National Assembly and 27% – the Government. In the
meantime, only 17% of the respondents in Yerevan trust the Government
(vs. 12.3% in 2006), while more people in other cities and rural
areas trust the Government (26% and 36% correspondingly).

It is also worth noting that about 36% of the respondents in Armenia
answered that they have little control over their life, while in
Georgia (21%) and Azerbaijan (30%) think so.

The data also gives insights into converging and diverging social
values across the Caucasus. In all three countries hard work and a
feeling of responsibility are among the three most valued qualities
that both male and female children should be brought up with. The
third most wanted characteristic for male children in Georgia and
Azerbaijan is independence (61% and 66%, respectively), while in
Armenia it is tolerance and respect to other people (70%).

The third most important characteristic for female children is modesty
for the respondents in Armenia (75%) and religious faith for those
in Georgia (56%), and thrift – in Azerbaijan (49%).

In terms of labor market development, in Yerevan, 35.3% mentioned
personal networking as the most important factor for obtaining a good
job, while the respondents from other cities and rural areas ranked
education as most important.

Meanwhile, the survey revealed that 54% of Armenian respondents did
not speak any other foreign language but Russian; only 21% have
some computer skills, and only 14% are able to use Internet and
e-mail. Marked differences also appear between Yerevan and the regions.