The Year 2084?

[HyeJinx1984]

A nations strength lies in it's population and economic stability. Armenian is suffering in both catagories.

[HyePrincess]

I no this wont ever happen but...............

well xxxx i wish and pray to god that one they the goverment says to everyone leave and go back to your homeland that would be great cause then we would all have to go back to Armenia that would be great dont you think ?

[HyeJinx1984]

I no this wont ever happen but...............

well xxxx i wish and pray to god that one they the goverment says to everyone leave and go back to your homeland that would be great cause then we would all have to go back to Armenia that would be great dont you think ?

Yes and no. I don't think it should be forceful becayse there is a time for everything and some people may not be ready for whatever reason, financially, emotionally, whatever...

However, I've said it before and I'll say it again, don't depend on any government, including our own, to help us. Armenia will be improved when all these sucessful entrepenurs (I butchered that word alright) and business men from all over the world move back to Armenia and create jobs there for items to be exported out. I stress that these be companies run by armenians, because I'd rather watch a thousand armenian infants starve to death before I'd allow a Gap or an American Eagle to set up a sweat shop in my country and force little armenian girls to work for fifteen cents a day.

[dikranjohn]

No end in sight to emigration from Armenia

The exodus of Armenians from their homeland continues. Data show that in the first eight months of 2004, 497,000 people left the country against 450,000 who entered it for a total loss of about 50,000. Compared to 2003, the emigration rate was up by 38 per cent which represents an extra 13,000 emigrants.

Although experts believe that the data should not be taken at face value—departures are often temporary—, they do highlight the fact that Armenia is experiencing a real loss in population. Men are the most likely to leave, seeking employment in neighbouring Russia, returning only for the Christmas holidays. Because of the skewed migratory patterns, Armenian women now represent 56 per cent of the population compared to 51 ten years ago.

Emigration is a sign of the tough economic times that followed the war with Azerbaijan (1991-1994) and the serious energy crisis that came with it.

Today, the economy is picking up—12 per cent annual growth—but not sufficiently to stop Armenians from going abroad.

Armenia has a population of about 3.8 million people. More than two thirds (67 per cent) live in the country’s urban centres, more than 1.2 million in the capital Yerevan alone. Almost two Armenians in three (64 per cent) are Orthodox; about 150,000 are Catholics.

According to the latest data (1999), the Armenian Diaspora stands at 15 million people. The largest communities are in Russia (2.8 million), the US (1.5 million) and France (400,000).

[CatWoman]

Good news, increase in population =)

You guys this is pretty exciting...

Yerevan, November 10, Armenpress: People permanently residing in Armenia made up 3 mln 213,000 as of October 1. According to Armenian National Statistics Service, population increased by 1,400 against the beginning of the year and by 3,000 against 2003.

During the 9 months of the running year, the increase in number was conditioned by increase of birth rate over mortality rate growing up by 24.5% over the same span of the last year. Birth rate grew by 7.8 % from 25,579 in 2003 to 27,576 in 2004. The mortality rates, however, are higher in Stepanavan and Meghri and rural communities of Tumanian, Jambarak, Kapan, Meghri and Tavush.

Some 13.1% growth is reported in marriages and 11.2 growth in divorces. Most popular name for newly born girls are Anna, Mariam, Anahit and most popular boy names are Davit, Narek, Arman and Arthur.

[Thai-Samurai]

cool, that is good news.

[HyeJinx1984]

According to the latest data (1999), the Armenian Diaspora stands at 15 million people. The largest communities are in Russia (2.8 million), the US (1.5 million) and France (400,000).

Fifteen Mil? That's a lot more than I thought. Wow, you'd think a group of 15 million people doing even the least amount of work individually would be able to help a nation smaller the than the county of L.A.. 15 Mil? That's a huge support system right there... Armenia should be in a great shape right now...... shouldn't it?

[Hayq]

It is not 15mln, I read somewhere at the most to be 10mln, and I even think it is 6mln sometimes. 15mln sounds like some propaganda to make us similar to Jews, there are 15mln Jews in the world (maybe more who dont register)

[Che_Ka]

Often, I think Diaspora population figures are inflated.

The total number of Armenians in the world is, at most, 8 million.

That includes 3 million in Armenia, 5 million outside.

USA - 1 million
Russia + CIS - 2-2.5 million
Europe - 1 million is generous
Middle East - 500k-600k (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey)

The rest are made up on small communities in South America (Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil), Australia (Sydney -- I saw an Ararat Day Care center in a Sydney suburb when I was there this year!), and tiny communties in Asia and Africa.

We must also factor assimilation. Sure, there may be half a million Armenians in California, but how many consider themselves Armenian? How many will contribute to Armenian causes? A Diaspora is only as effective as its contributions.

[Hayq]

good point, Che.