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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

2 public television networks operating alongside more than 40 privately-owned television stations that provide local to near nationwide coverage; major Russian broadcast stations are widely available; subscription cable TV services are available in most regions; Public Radio of Armenia is a national, state-run broadcast network that operates alongside about 20 privately-owned radio stations; several major international broadcasters are available (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.am

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

65,279 (2010) country comparison to the world: 83

Internet users [time series]

208,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 138

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: telecommunications investments have made major inroads in modernizing and upgrading the outdated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; now 100% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion; mobile-cellular services monopoly terminated in late 2004 and a second provider began operations in mid-2005 domestic: reliable modern fixed-line and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan in major cities and towns; significant but ever-shrinking gaps remain in mobile-cellular coverage in rural areas international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3 (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

630,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 92

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

2.62 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 120

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock

Central bank discount rate [time series]

NA% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 56 7.25% (2 December 2008) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy instrument of the Armenian National Bank

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

18.76% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 17.05% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.138 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 -$1.326 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$5.227 billion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 103 $3.449 billion (31 December 2008)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

37 (2006) country comparison to the world: 77 44.4 (1996)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

After several years of double-digit economic growth, Armenia faced a severe economic recession with GDP declining more than 14% in 2009, despite large loans from multilateral institutions. Sharp declines in the construction sector and workers' remittances, particularly from Russia, were the main reasons for the downturn. The economy began to recover in 2010 with nearly 5% growth. Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. Armenia has managed to reduce poverty, slash inflation, stabilize its currency, and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia had made progress in implementing some economic reforms, including privatization, price reforms, and prudent fiscal policies, but geographic isolation, a narrow export base, and pervasive monopolies in important business sectors have made Armenia particularly vulnerable to the sharp deterioration in the global economy and the economic downturn in Russia. The conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s and Armenia's borders with Turkey remain closed until 2010, when Turkey and Armenia signed an accord to reestablish diplomatic relations. Armenia is particularly dependent on Russian commercial and governmental support and most key Armenian infrastructure is Russian-owned and/or managed, especially in the energy sector. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002 and bought by Russia's RAO-UES in 2005. Construction of a pipeline to deliver natural gas from Iran to Armenia was completed in December 2008, and gas deliveries are slated to expand due to the April 2010 completion of the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant. Armenia has some mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite). Pig iron, unwrought copper, and other nonferrous metals are Armenia's highest valued exports. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, remittances from Armenians working abroad, and foreign direct investment. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. The government made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures have been ineffective and the current economic downturn has led to a sharp drop in tax revenue and forced the government to accept large loan packages from Russia, the IMF, and other international financial institutions. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms in order to regain economic growth and improve economic competitiveness and employment opportunities, especially given its economic isolation from two of its nearest neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

4.776 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Electricity - exports [time series]

451.3 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

418.7 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2007 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

5.584 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Exchange rates [time series]

drams (AMD) per US dollar - 374.29 (2010), 363.28 (2009), 303.93 (2008), 344.06 (2007), 414.69 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$846 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 $722.3 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 16.47%, Russia 15.45%, US 9.64%, Bulgaria 8.6%, Georgia 7.57%, Netherlands 7.48%, Belgium 6.71%, Canada 4.91% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$8.83 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$17.27 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $16.5 billion (2009 est.) $19.23 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 22% industry: 46.6% services: 31.4% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$5,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $5,600 (2009 est.) $6,500 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 -14.2% (2009 est.) 6.9% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 41.3% (2004)

Imports [time series]

$2.988 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $2.817 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds

Imports - partners [time series]

Russia 24.02%, China 8.72%, Ukraine 6.15%, Turkey 5.39%, Germany 5.36%, Iran 4.07% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Industries [time series]

diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

6.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 3.4% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

33.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Labor force [time series]

1.481 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 46.2% industry: 15.6% services: 38.2% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$140.5 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 110 $176 million (31 December 2008) $105 million (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

1.93 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Natural gas - imports [time series]

1.93 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Oil - consumption [time series]

49,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Oil - imports [time series]

45,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Population below poverty line [time series]

26.5% (2006 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.247 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $2.004 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$3.507 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $3.339 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.821 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $1.733 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$1.131 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 138 $1.071 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 29,743 sq km country comparison to the world: 142 land: 28,203 sq km water: 1,540 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate [time series]

highland continental, hot summers, cold winters

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Debed River 400 m highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 2.95 cu km/yr (30%/4%/66%) per capita: 977 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

40 00 N, 45 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range

Irrigated land [time series]

2,860 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,254 km border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 16.78% permanent crops: 2.01% other: 81.21% (2005)

Location [time series]

Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts

Natural resources [time series]

small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite

Terrain [time series]

Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley

Total renewable water resources [time series]

10.5 cu km (1997)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan

Capital [time series]

name: Yerevan geographic coordinates: 40 10 N, 44 30 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution [time series]

adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995; amendments adopted through a nationwide referendum 27 November 2005

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Armenia conventional short form: Armenia local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun local short form: Hayastan former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Marie L. YOVANOVITCH embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082 mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, US Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020 telephone: [374](10) 464-700 FAX: [374](10) 464-742

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Serzh SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Tigran SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 19 February 2008 (next to be held in February 2013); prime minister appointed by the president based on majority or plurality support in parliament; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program election results: Serzh SARGSIAN elected president; percent of vote - Serzh SARGSIAN 52.9%, Levon TER-PETROSSIAN 21.5%, Artur BAGHDASARIAN 16.7%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange; the color red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenian skies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of the workers who farm it

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF (associate member), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote, 90 members elected by party list and 41 by direct vote; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 12 May 2007 (next to be held in the spring of 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - HHK 33.9%, Prosperous Armenia 15.1%, ARF (Dashnak) 13.2%, Rule of Law 7.1%, Heritage Party 6%, other 24.7%; seats by party - HHK 64, Prosperous Armenia 18, ARF (Dashnak) 16, Rule of Law 9, Heritage Party 7, independent 17

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Mer Hayrenik""(Our Fatherland) lyrics/music: Mikael NALBANDIAN/Barsegh KANACHYAN note: adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922) but with different lyrics

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 21 September (1991)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Armenian National Congress or ANC (bloc of independent and opposition parties) [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Ararat ZURABIAN]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Hrant MARKARIAN]; Heritage Party [Raffi HOVHANNISIAN]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHIAN]; Prosperous Armenia [Gagik TSARUKIAN]; Republican Party of Armenia or HHK [Serzh SARGSIAN]; Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir) [Artur BAGHDASARIAN]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Aylentrank (Impeachment Alliance) [Nikol PASHINIAN]; Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in an estimated 1 million Armenian deaths. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, ethnic Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey closed the common border with Armenia in 1994 because of the Armenian separatists' control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas, further hampering Armenian economic growth. In 2009, senior Armenian leaders began pursuing rapprochement with Turkey, aiming to secure an opening of the border; this process is currently dormant.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 809,293 females age 16-49: 862,679 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 644,195 females age 16-49: 724,085 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 24,611 female: 22,682 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Armenian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Force and Air Defense; "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic": Nagorno-Karabakh Self Defense Force (NKSDF) (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

2.8% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 49

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2010)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18.2% (male 289,119/female 252,150) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 986,764/female 1,123,708) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 122,996/female 192,267) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

12.74 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Death rate [time series]

8.42 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 147

Ethnic groups [time series]

Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

2,400 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 19.5 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 102 male: 24.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

Armenian (official) 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 72.96 years country comparison to the world: 118 male: 69.33 years female: 77.07 years (2010 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.7% female: 99.2% (2001 census)

Median age [time series]

total: 31.9 years male: 29.1 years female: 34.7 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian

Net migration rate [time series]

-4.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

Population [time series]

2,966,802 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Population growth rate [time series]

0.016% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Religions [time series]

Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2007)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.133 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.36 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 64% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s, has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy; Armenians continue to emigrate, primarily to Russia, seeking employment

Illicit drugs [time series]

illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 113,295 (Azerbaijan) IDPs: 8,400 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, majority have returned home since 1994 ceasefire) (2007)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

11 (2010) country comparison to the world: 153

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 2,233 km (2009)

Railways [time series]

total: 845 km country comparison to the world: 99 broad gauge: 845 km 1.520-m gauge (818 km electrified) note: some lines are out of service (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 8,888 km country comparison to the world: 139 paved: 7,079 km (includes 1,561 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,809 km (2008)