A study of emigration from Armenia within the last years (1988-2001)

Abstract

Today the problem of emigration is of greater importance than it has ever been. An enormous number of Armenians left Armenia and are currently leaving. There is not an exact number of emigrants, however, they share certain characteristics. They are predominantly from urban areas, males, about 18-39 years old and the greater part of them is leaving for Russia. Emigrants have high level of education. The huge wave of emigration has risen because of certain factors: Earthquake in Spitak, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, difficult socio-economic hard conditions…these all are factors that created separate flows of emigration. Other factors (such as distrust toward the future of Armenia, barriers for entrepreneurship, etc.) also had an important role for stimulating people to emigrate. It goes without saying that emigration is accompanied by a number of negative consequences. Emigration distorts the usual and normal demographic development of the society, it has negative social consequences, hinders economic development of the Republic, is a threat to national security, increases the outflow of scientific minds (brain-drain), favors the loss of national identity and national reputation abroad. Along with negative consequences emigration had positive impacts on relieving stress in the labor market. Besides, it was a source of material security for many families. However, positive sides do not soften the seriousness of the problem. Emigration from Armenia is a great problem, and taking measures against it has been imperative. For this purpose, several recommendations will be presented at the end of the essay.