Armenia

Wealth and National Well-Being

Country Comparisons:
2010: see chart

World Factbook: "Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has made progress in implementing many economic reforms including privatization, price reforms, and prudent fiscal policies. The conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program that resulted in positive growth rates."

Unemployment rate
2007: 7.1%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
2004: Top ten percent of populatio, 41.3%; bottom ten percet, 1.6%

Armenia remains closely tied in trade to Russia, especially for its supply of energy. It has a negative trade imbalance offset somewhat by international aid and foreign investment.

People

Living in an urban area
2008: 64%

Migration
2009: More leaving than arriving. A net loss of 4.56 persons per 1,000 population

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

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

Geography

Mountainous, fast flowing rivers, landlocked and just east of Turkey.

Government

A republic and a constitution parlimentarly democracy -- a unicameral legislature

Armenia is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, former republics within the Soviet Union that today are closely associated with Russia economically, in defense and foreign policy,

Capital: Yerevan

Recent History

Acquired independence on September 21, 1991 with the break up of the Soviet Union.

SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/