2019 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. Armenia remains involved in the protracted Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh was a primarily ethnic Armenian region that Moscow recognized in 1923 as an autonomous oblast within Soviet Azerbaijan. In the late Soviet period, a separatist movement developed which sought to end Azerbaijani control over the region. Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988 and escalated after Armenia and Azerbaijan attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By the time a ceasefire took effect in May 1994, separatists, with Armenian support, controlled Nagorno‑Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories. The 1994 ceasefire continues to hold, although violence continues along the line of contact separating the opposing forces, as well as the Armenia-Azerbaijan international border. The final status of Nagorno-Karabakh remains the subject of international mediation by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, which works to help the sides settle the conflict peacefully. The OSCE Minsk Group is co‑chaired by the US, France, and Russia. 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 2015, Armenia joined the Eurasian Economic Union alongside Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. In November 2017, Armenia signed a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU. In spring 2018, Serzh SARGSIAN of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) stepped down and Civil Contract party leader Nikol PASHINYAN became prime minister.

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

Highest Point

Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m

Lowest Point

Debed River 400 m

Mean Elevation

1,792 m

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

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

Total

1,570 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

59.7% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

15.8% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

1.9% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

42% (2016 est.)

Forest

9.1% (2016 est.)

Other

31.2% (2016 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

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)

Current Health Expenditure

9.9% (2016)

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 Rural

100% of population

Improved Total

100% of population

Improved Urban

100% of population

Unimproved Rural

0% of population

Unimproved Total

0% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

0% of population

Education Expenditures

2.7% of GDP (2017)

Ethnic Groups

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

HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate

0.2% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS Deaths

<200 (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS People Living With HIV/AIDS

3,500 (2018 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

4.2 beds/1,000 population (2015)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

10.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

13.7 deaths/1,000 live births

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.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

78.7 years

Male

71.8 years

Total Population

75.1 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Female

99.6% (2015)

Male

99.7%

Total Population

99.7%

Major Urban Areas Population

1.083 million YEREVAN (capital) (2019)

Maternal Mortality Rate

26 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median Age

Female

37.4 years

Male

33.9 years

Total

35.6 years (2018 est.)

Mother's Mean Age at First Birth

24.4 years (2015/16 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Armenian

Noun

Armenian(s)

Net Migration Rate

-5.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

20.2% (2016)

Physicians Density

2.9 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 Rural

78.2% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

89.5% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

96.2% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

21.8% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

10.5% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

3.8% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

Female

13 years (2015)

Male

13 years

Total

13 years

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.13 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.09 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

0.95 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

0.85 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.67 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.11 male(s)/female

Total Population

0.94 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

1.64 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

Female

45.7% (2016 est.)

Male

29.5%

Total

36.3%

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

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

Urban Population

63.2% of total population (2019)

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

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, 2015 (2017)

History

previous 1915, 1978; latest adopted 5 July 1995

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 Lynne M. TRACEY (since 5 March 2019)

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 11 January 2019)

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 was chosen as prime minister by the parliament automatically after his party won a landslide victory in the December 2018 elections

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 14 January 2019

Head Of Government

Prime Minister Nikol PASHINYAN (since 8 May 2018); Deputy Prime Ministers Mher GRIGORYAN and Tigran AVINYAN (since 16 January 2019)

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); notable earlier dates: 321 B.C. (Kingdom of Armenia established under the Orontid Dynasty), A.D. 884 (Armenian Kingdom reestablished under the Bagratid Dynasty); 1198 (Cilician Kingdom established); 28 May 1918 (Democratic Republic of Armenia declared)

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%, RPA 4.7%, ARF 3.9%, other 6.3%; 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)

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 Revolutionary Federation or ARF ("Dashnak" Party) [Hakob TER-KHACHATURYAN] Bright Armenia [Edmon MARUKYAN] Citizen's Decision [Suren SAHAKYAN] Civil Contract [Nikol PASHINYAN] Free Democrats [Khachatur KOKOBELYAN] Heritage Party [Raffi HOVANNISIAN] 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]

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

10 February 2015

10.5%

14 December 2016

6.5%

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

31 December 2016

17.36%

31 December 2017

14.41%

Current Account Balance

2016

-$238 million

2017

-$328 million

Debt External

31 December 2016

$8.987 billion

31 December 2017

$10.41 billion

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

2013

31.5

2014

31.5

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

2013

415.92

2014

477.92

2015

480.49

2016

480.49

2017

487.9

Currency

drams (AMD) per US dollar -

Exports

2016

$1.891 billion

2017

$2.361 billion

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.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2015

$8,800

2016

$8,800

2017

$9,500

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2015

$26.3 billion

2016

$26.37 billion

2017

$28.34 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015

3.3%

2016

0.3%

2017

7.5%

Gross National Saving

2015

18.4% of GDP

2016

16.6% of GDP

2017

17.8% of GDP

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

Highest 10

25.7% (2014)

Lowest 10

3.5%

Imports

2016

$2.835 billion

2017

$3.771 billion

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

2016

-1.4%

2017

0.9%

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

31 December 2010

$144.8 million

31 December 2011

$139.6 million

31 December 2012

$132.1 million

Population Below Poverty Line

32% (2013 est.)

Public Debt

2016

51.9% of GDP

2017

53.5% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2016

$2.204 billion

31 December 2017

$2.314 billion

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2016

$1.355 billion

31 December 2017

$1.629 billion

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

2014

$215 million

2015

$228 million

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

2015

$4.169 billion

31 December 2014

$4.087 billion

Stock Of Domestic Credit

31 December 2016

$5.689 billion

31 December 2017

$6.712 billion

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2016

$1.355 billion

31 December 2017

$1.629 billion

Taxes And Other Revenues

22.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2016

18.8%

2017

18.9%

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 (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

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

Broadcast Media

Armenia&rsquo;s government-run Public Television network operates alongside 100 privately owned TV stations that provide local to near nationwide coverage; three Russian TV companies are broadcast in Armenia under interstate agreements; subscription cable TV services are available in most regions; several major international broadcasters are available, including CNN; 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 18 privately owned radio stations (2019)

Internet Country Code

.am

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

62% (July 2016 est.)

Total

1,891,775

Telephone System

Domestic

16 per 100 fixed-line, 122 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 (2019)

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 continued modernization and expansion (2019)

International

country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Caucasus Cable System fiber-optic cable through Georgia and Iran to Europe; 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 (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

17 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

505,190

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

115 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

3,488,524

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)

Total

780 km (2014)

Roadways

7,700 km (2014)

Military And Security Forces

Armenian Armed Forces: Ground Forces (Armenian Army), Air Force, Air Defense; "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic": Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army (2019)

Military Expenditures

2014

3.94% of GDP

2015

4.25% of GDP

2016

4.09% of GDP

2017

3.84% of GDP

2018

4.25% of GDP

Military Service Age And Obligation

18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation, which can be served as an officer upon deferment for university studies if enrolled in officer-producing program; 17 year olds are eligible to become cadets at military higher education institutes, where they are classified as military personnel (2019)

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 instability; residents have evacuated the former Soviet-era small ethnic enclaves in Armenia and Azerbaijan; Turkish authorities have complained that blasting from quarries in Armenia might be damaging the medieval ruins of Ani, on the other side of the Arpacay valley; in 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 faltered; local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders; ethnic 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

14,701 (Syria - ethnic Armenians) (2018)

Stateless Persons

848 (2018)