By Diana Ghazaryan and Saro Baghdasaryan

Much has been written and discussed about the demographic challenges facing Armenia.

So, what numbers are we talking about. To put the issue into some context, per the National Statistical Service of Armenia, the country’s permanent population reached 3.5 million in 1990. Today, that figure is 2.998 million.

A declining birthrate, an increase in mortality rates, as well as the continuing exodus from the country, have all led to this a drop in Armenia’s population. These mitigating factors eased a bit after the country entered the 21st century.

Nevertheless, per the 2011 census, Armenia’s population decreased by 195,000 (6%) when compared to 2001.

In 2001, Armenia’s population per official data stood at 3 million. Since then, it hasn’t increased at all and now stands at 2.9 million.

Static Population

Here are the official population figures for the past several years:

2011 – 3 million

2012 – 3 million

2013 – 3 million

2014 – 3 million

2015 – 3 million

2016 – 2.9 million

60% of Armenia’s population live in towns and cities. Women make up 52.3% of the population.

The average age of citizens is 35.9.

Birthrate Down, Mortality Up

In 1990, there were 79,000 births in Armenia, the highest number in the past 25 years. The lowest number of births was recorded in 2000 – 34,000 births. In 2015, the figure stood at 41,763. That’s almost a 50% drop in annual births.

Armenia’s birthrate has fluctuated in the low 40,000s ever since 2010.

2010 – 44,000

2011 – 43,000

2012 – 42,000

2013 – 41,000

2014 – 43,000

2015 – 41,000

A static birthrate coupled with higher mortality rates doesn’t bode well for Armenia’s demographic situation.

In 1990, there were 22,000 deaths registered in Armenia. In 2015, that figure was 27,000.

The number of deaths, from all causes, has remained in the mid-high 20,000s since 2005.

2005 – 26,000; 2006 – 27,000; 2007 – 26,000; 2008 – 27,000; 2009 – 27,000; 2010 – 27,000; 2011 – 28,000; 2012 – 27,000; 2013 – 27,000; 2014 – 27,000; 2015 – 27,000

In 2015, cardio-pulmonary and cancer-related illnesses caused 68.5% of all mortalities in Armenia.

In 2015, the life expectancy of women in Armenia was 78.2 years; 71.7 for men.

Finally, in 2016, the population’s breakdown by age was:

0-15 years – 20%

16-62 years – 66%

63+ - 12%