2018 Edition

Background

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, the Ottoman Empire instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in at least 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 trilateral cease-fire between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabakh took hold, ethnic Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also seven surrounding regions - approximately 14 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory. 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 1993 in support of Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia over control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas, further hampering Armenian economic growth. In 2009, Armenia and Turkey signed Protocols normalizing relations between the two countries, but neither country ratified the Protocols, and Armenia officially withdrew from the Protocols in March 2018. In January 2015, Armenia joined Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union. In November 2017, Armenia signed a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU.

Area

land

28,203 sq km

total

29,743 sq km

water

1,540 sq km

Area Comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate

highland continental, hot summers, cold winters

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

elevation extremes

400 m lowest point: Debed River

mean elevation

1,792 m

note

4090 highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat'

Environment Current Issues

soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; deforestation; pollution of Hrazdan 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

Environment International Agreements

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

Geographic Coordinates

40 00 N, 45 00 E

Geography Note

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

Irrigated Land

2,740 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

border countries (4)

Azerbaijan 996 km, Georgia 219 km, Iran 44 km, Turkey 311 km

total

1,570 km

Land Use

arable land: 15.8% (2014 est.) / permanent crops: 1.9% (2014 est.) / permanent pasture: 42% (2014 est.)

agricultural land

59.7% (2014 est.)

forest

9.1% (2014 est.)

other

31.2% (2014 est.)

Location

Southwestern Asia, between Turkey (to the west) and Azerbaijan; note - Armenia views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both

Map References

Asia

Maritime Claims

note

none (landlocked)

Natural Hazards

occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts

Natural Resources

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

Population Distribution

most of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the capital of Yerevan is home to more than five times as many people as Gyumri, the second largest city in the country

Terrain

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

Age Structure

0-14 years

18.86% (male 303,712 /female 269,279)

15-24 years

12.37% (male 195,722 /female 179,970)

25-54 years

43.31% (male 640,089 /female 675,643)

55-64 years

13.77% (male 192,515 /female 225,882)

65 years and over

11.7% (male 142,835 /female 212,570) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

12.6 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

2.6% (2016)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

57.1% (2015/16)

Death Rate

9.5 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency Ratios

elderly dependency ratio

15.8 (2015 est.)

potential support ratio

6.3 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

44.4 (2015 est.)

youth dependency ratio

28.7 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Education Expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2016)

Ethnic Groups

Armenian 98.1%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.2%, other 0.7% (2011 est.)

Health Expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2014)

Hiv Aids Adult Prevalence Rate

0.2% (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids Deaths

<200 (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

3,400 (2017 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

4.2 beds/1,000 population (2015)

Infant Mortality Rate

female

10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

male

13.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

total

12.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

Armenian (official) 97.9%, Kurdish (spoken by Yezidi minority) 1%, other 1% (2011 est.)

note

Russian is widely spoken

Life Expectancy At Birth

female

78.7 years (2018 est.)

male

71.8 years (2018 est.)

total population

75.1 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

female

99.6% (2015 est.)

male

99.7% (2015 est.)

total population

99.7% (2015 est.)

Major Urban Areas Population

1.08 million YEREVAN (capital) (2018)

Maternal Mortality Rate

25 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median Age

female

37.4 years (2018 est.)

male

33.9 years

total

35.6 years

Mother S Mean Age At First Birth

24.4 years (2015/16 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Armenian

noun

Armenian(s)

Net Migration Rate

-5.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

20.2% (2016)

Physicians Density

2.8 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

3,038,217 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

-0.25% (2018 est.)

Religions

Armenian Apostolic 92.6%, Evangelical 1%, other 2.4%, none 1.1%, unspecified 2.9% (2011 est.)

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 96.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 78.2% of population (2015 est.)

total: 89.5% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 3.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 21.8% of population (2015 est.)

total: 10.5% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

female

13 years (2015)

male

13 years (2015)

total

13 years (2015)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years

1.14 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

25-54 years

0.93 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

55-64 years

0.84 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

65 years and over

0.67 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth

1.12 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

total population

0.94 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

1.64 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

female

45.7% (2016 est.)

male

29.5% (2016 est.)

total

36.3% (2016 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.22% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

63.1% of total population (2018)

Administrative Divisions

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

Capital

geographic coordinates

40 10 N, 44 30 E

name

Yerevan

note

etymology: name likely derives from the ancient Urartian fortress of Erebuni established on the current site of Yerevan in 782 B.C. and whose impresive ruins still survive

time difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Armenia

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

3 years

Constitution

amendments

proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by the president, by the National Assembly, and by a referendum with at least 25% registered voter participation and more than 50% of votes; constitutional articles on the form of government and democratic procedures are not amendable; amended 2005, 2007, 2008, last in 2015 (2017)

history

previous 1915, 1978; latest adopted 5 July 1995 (2017)

note

a 2015 amendment, approved in December 2015 by a public referendum and effective for the 2017-18 electoral cycle, changes the government type from the current semi-presidential system to a parliamentary system

Country Name

conventional long form

Republic of Armenia

conventional short form

Armenia

etymology

the etymology of the country's name remains obscure; according to tradition, the country is named after Hayk, the legendary patriarch of the Armenians and the great-great-grandson of Noah; Hayk's descendant, Aram, purportedly is the source of the name Armenia

former

Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic

local long form

Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun

local short form

Hayastan

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

chief of mission

Ambassador Richard MILLS (since 13 February 2015)

embassy

1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082

FAX

[374](10) 464-742

mailing address

American Embassy Yerevan, US Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020

telephone

[374](10) 464-700

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

chancery

2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Varuzhan NERSESSYAN (since November 2018)

consulate(s) general

Glendale (CA)

FAX

[1] (202) 319-2982

telephone

[1] (202) 319-1976

Executive Branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

chief of state

President Armen SARKISSIAN (since 9 April 2018)

election results

Armen SARKISSIAN elected president in first round; note - Armen SARKISSIAN ran unopposed and won the Assembly vote 90-10; Nikol PASHINYAN elected prime minister in second round; note - Nikol PASHINYAN ran unopposed and won the Assembly vote 59-42

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by the National Assembly in 3 rounds if needed for a single 7-year term; election last held on 2 March 2018; prime minister elected by majority vote in 2 rounds if needed by the National Assembly; election last held on 8 May 2018

head of government

Prime Minister Nikol PASHINYAN (since 8 May 2018); First Deputy Prime Minister Ararat MIRZOYAN (since 11 May 2018)

note

Nikol PASHINYAN resigned his post on 16 October 2018 but remains on as Acting Prime Minister until new elections are held on 9 December 2018

Flag Description

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

parliamentary democracy; note - constitutional changes adopted in December 2015 transformed the government to a parliamentary system

Independence

21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International Law Organization Participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International Organization Participation

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

Judicial Branch

highest courts

Court of Cassation (consists of the Criminal Chamber with a chairman and 5 judges and the Civil and Administrative Chamber with a chairman and 10 judges – with both civil and administrative specializations); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Cassation judges nominated by the Supreme Judicial Council, a 10-member body of selected judges and legal scholars; judges appointed by the president; judges can serve until age 65; Constitutional Court judges - 4 appointed by the president, and 5 elected by the National Assembly; judges can serve until age 70

subordinate courts

criminal and civil appellate courts; administrative appellate court; first instance courts; specialized administrative and bankruptcy courts

Legal System

civil law system

Legislative Branch

description

unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (minimum 101 seats, currently 132; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - My Step Alliance 70.4%, BHK 8.3%, Bright Armenia 6.4%, other 14.9%; seats by party - My Step Alliance 88, BHK 26, Bright Armenia 18; composition - men 112, women 20, percent of women 15.2%

elections

last held on 9 December 2018 (next elections to be held December 2023)

National Anthem

lyrics/music

Mikael NALBANDIAN/Barsegh KANACHYAN

name

"Mer Hayrenik" (Our Fatherland)

note

adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922) but with different lyrics

National Holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1991)

National Symbol S

Mount Ararat, eagle, lion; national colors: red, blue, orange

Political Parties And Leaders

Armenian National Congress or ANC (bloc of independent and opposition parties) [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN]Armenian National Movement or ANM [Ararat ZURABIAN]Armenian Revolutionary Federation or ARF ("Dashnak" Party) [Hrant MARKARIAN]Bright Armenia [Edmon MARUKYAN]Christian Democratic Rebirth Party [Levon SHIRINYAN] Citizen's Decision [Suren SAHAKYAN] Civil Contract [Nikol PASHINYAN]Heritage Party [Raffi HOVHANNISIAN]Mission Party [Manuk SUKIASYAN]My Step Alliance (Civil Contract Party and Mission Party) [Nikol PASHINYAN]National Progress Party [Lusine HAROYAN]People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHIAN]Prosperous Armenia or BHK [Gagik TSARUKYAN]Republic [Aram SARGSYAN]Republican Party of Armenia or RPA [Serzh SARGSIAN]Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir) or OEK [Artur BAGHDASARIAN]Sasna Tser [Varuzhan AVETISYAN] We Alliance or FD-H [Aram SARGSIAN]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

fruit (especially grapes and apricots), vegetables; livestock

Budget

expenditures

3.192 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

2.644 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-4.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

6.5% (14 December 2016)

10.5% (10 February 2015)

note

this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy instrument of the Armenian National Bank

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

14.41% (31 December 2017 est.)

17.36% (31 December 2016 est.)

note

average lending rate on loans up to one year

Current Account Balance

-$328 million (2017 est.)

-$238 million (2016 est.)

Debt External

$10.41 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$8.987 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

31.5 (2014)

31.5 (2013 est.)

Economy Overview

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 agro industrial complexes of the Soviet era. Armenia has only two open trade borders - Iran and Georgia - because its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed since 1991 and 1993, respectively, as a result of Armenia's ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region.Armenia joined the World Trade Organization in January 2003. The government has made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures have been largely ineffective. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms and strengthen the rule of law in order to raise its economic growth and improve economic competitiveness and employment opportunities, especially given its economic isolation from Turkey and Azerbaijan.Armenia's geographic isolation, a narrow export base, and pervasive monopolies in important business sectors have made it particularly vulnerable to volatility in the global commodity markets and the economic challenges in Russia. Armenia is particularly dependent on Russian commercial and governmental support, as most key Armenian infrastructure is Russian-owned and/or managed, especially in the energy sector. Remittances from expatriates working in Russia are equivalent to about 12-14% of GDP. Armenia joined the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union in January 2015, but has remained interested in pursuing closer ties with the EU as well, signing a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU in November 2017. Armenia’s rising government debt is leading Yerevan to tighten its fiscal policies – the amount is approaching the debt to GDP ratio threshold set by national legislation.

Exchange Rates

drams (AMD) per US dollar -

487.9 (2017 est.)

480.49 (2016 est.)

480.49 (2015 est.)

477.92 (2014 est.)

415.92 (2013 est.)

Exports

$2.361 billion (2017 est.)

$1.891 billion (2016 est.)

Exports Commodities

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

Exports Partners

Russia 24.2%, Bulgaria 12.8%, Switzerland 12%, Georgia 6.9%, Germany 5.9%, China 5.5%, Iraq 5.4%, UAE 4.6%, Netherlands 4.1% (2017)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services

38.1% (2017 est.)

government consumption

14.2% (2017 est.)

household consumption

76.7% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-50.4% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

17.3% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

4.1% (2017 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture

16.7% (2017 est.)

industry

28.2% (2017 est.)

services

54.8% (2017 est.)

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$11.54 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$9,500 (2017 est.)

$8,800 (2016 est.)

$8,800 (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$28.34 billion (2017 est.)

$26.37 billion (2016 est.)

$26.3 billion (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Real Growth Rate

7.5% (2017 est.)

0.3% (2016 est.)

3.3% (2015 est.)

Gross National Saving

17.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

16.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

18.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%

25.7% (2014)

lowest 10%

25.7% (2014)

Imports

$3.771 billion (2017 est.)

$2.835 billion (2016 est.)

Imports Commodities

natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, cars

Imports Partners

Russia 28%, China 11.5%, Turkey 5.5%, Germany 4.9%, Iran 4.3% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

5.4% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

0.9% (2017 est.)

-1.4% (2016 est.)

Labor Force

1.507 million (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

agriculture

36.3%

industry

17%

services

46.7% (2013 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

$132.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)

$139.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

$144.8 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

32% (2013 est.)

Public Debt

53.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

51.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

$2.314 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.204 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Broad Money

$1.629 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.355 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

$228 million (2015 est.)

$215 million (2014 est.)

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment At Home

$4.169 billion (2015 est.)

$4.087 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock Of Domestic Credit

$6.712 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$5.689 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Narrow Money

$1.629 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.355 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

22.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

18.9% (2017 est.)

18.8% (2016 est.)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

5.501 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Electricity Consumption

5.291 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

1.424 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

58% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

32% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

9% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

275 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

4.08 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

6.951 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

2.35 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

2.35 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

8,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

7,145 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

10 (2017 est.)

total

315,319 (2017 est.)

Broadcast Media

2 public TV networks operating alongside about 40 privately owned TV stations that provide local to near nationwide coverage; major Russian broadcast stations are widely available; subscription cable TV services are available in most regions; Armenian TV completed conversion from analog to digital broadcasting in late 2016; Public Radio of Armenia is a national, state-run broadcast network that operates alongside 21 privately owned radio stations; several major international broadcasters are available (2017)

Internet Country Code

.am

Internet Users

percent of population

62% (July 2016 est.)

total

1,891,775 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

domestic

17 per 100 fixed-line, 115 per 100 mobile-cellular; reliable fixed-line and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan and in major cities and towns; mobile-cellular coverage available in most rural areas (2017)

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; with a small populaton and low GDP - moderate growth in mobile market; mobile operators promise mobile broadband to be faster (2017)

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 (2015)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

17 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

505,190 (2017 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

115 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

3,488,524 (2017 est.)

Airports

11 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

4 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2017)

over 3,047 m

2 (2017)

total

10 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

total

1 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

EK (2016)

National Air Transport System

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

5 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

3 (2015)

Pipelines

3838 km gas (high and medium pressure) (2017)

Railways

broad gauge

780 km 1.520-m gauge (780 km electrified) (2014)

note

726 km operational

total

780 km (2014)

Roadways

total

7,792 km (2013)

Military Branches

Armenian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Force and Air Defense; "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic": Nagorno-Karabakh Self-Defense Force (NKSDF) (2011)

Military Expenditures

4.09% of GDP (2016)

4.25% of GDP (2015)

3.94% of GDP (2014)

4% of GDP (2013)

3.58% of GDP (2012)

Military Service Age And Obligation

18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation; 17 year olds are eligible to become cadets at military higher education institutes, where they are classified as military personnel (2012)

Disputes International

the dispute over the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Armenian military occupation of surrounding lands in Azerbaijan remains the primary focus of regional instabilityresidents have evacuated the former Soviet-era small ethnic enclaves in Armenia and AzerbaijanTurkish authorities have complained that blasting from quarries in Armenia might be damaging the medieval ruins of Ani, on the other side of the Arpacay valleyin 2009, Swiss mediators facilitated an accord reestablishing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey, but neither side has ratified the agreement and the rapprochement effort has falteredlocal border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian bordersethnic Armenian groups in the Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian Government

Illicit Drugs

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

refugees (country of origin)

14,680 (Syria - ethnic Armenians) (2017)

stateless persons

773 (2017)