More than 32 % of Armenians living below poverty line
18.10.2013,
15:27
Citing World Bank data, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said today that 32.5 % of Armenia's population lives below the poverty line.
YEREVAN, October 18, / ARKA /. Citing World Bank data, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said today that 32.5 % of Armenia's population lives below the poverty line.
"Today Armenia is a poor country," - said Sargsyan said at a media forum titled "At the Foot of Mount Ararat” that kicked off today in Yerevan. The Prime Minister added that the actual level of poverty may be even higher.
Noting that the average per capita gross national income (GNI) is only about $3,000, the Prime Minister said for the construction of a democratic society in Armenia, it is necessary that this figure rises to more than $12,000.
According to the prime minister, this is the prime condition for emergence of a middle class, which ties its future with the realization of its talents and opportunities, without just relying on the government support.
According to the Armenian ministry of finance, the poverty rate in 2012 was 33.1 %, and the extremely poor made 2.8 %. According to the ministry’s forecast, in 2013 the poverty rate will be 32.1 % and that of extreme poverty - 2.7.
According to the preliminary data of the 2011 census, the actual population of Armenia is 2,871,771 people, while the constant population is 3,018,854 people. ($ 1 - 406.36 drams). -0-
