260,000 People Get Over Poverty Threshold In Armenia In 2004-2006

260,000 PEOPLE GET OVER POVERTY THRESHOLD IN ARMENIA IN 2004-2006

ARKA News Agency
Dec 21 2007
Armenia

YEREVAN, December 21. /ARKA/. About 260,000 people overcame the
poverty threshold in Armenia in 2004-2006 and the share of the poor
reduced 23.4% in the country, officer of Armenia’s National Statistical
Service Diana Martirosova said in presenting a report on the social
picture and poverty in Armenia.

In 2004 the poor constituted 35% of the overall number of population,
whereas in 2006 the indicator reduced down to 27%.

75,000 of 260,000 people who have got over the poverty were below
extreme poverty line, she said.

According to Martirososva, in 2006 the poverty became less acute
and deep.

"Yet, poverty is still a problem for Armenia as 26.5% of the country’s
population or about 850,000 people are below the poverty line,
including 130,000 extremely poor people," she said.

The report on the social picture and poverty in Armenia was carried
out 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.