Armenia
Republic of Armenia
Population
2.96M
Area
29,743 km²
GDP
$25.79B
GDP Per Capita
$20,100
Pop. Density
100/km²
Background
Armenia prides itself on being the first state to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Armenia has existed as a political entity for centuries, but for much of its history it was under the sway of various empires, including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, Ottoman, and Russian. During World War I, the Ottoman Empire instituted a policy of forced resettlement that, coupled with other harsh practices targeting its Armenian subjects, resulted in at least 1 million deaths; these actions have been widely recognized as constituting genocide. During the early 19th century, significant Armenian populations fell under Russian rule. Armenia declared its independence in 1918 in the wake of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, but it was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenia, along with Azerbaijan and Georgia, was initially incorporated into the USSR as part of the Transcaucasian Federated Soviet Socialist Republic; in 1936, the republic was separated into its three constituent entities, which were maintained until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
For over three decades, Armenia had a longstanding conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan about the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which historically had a mixed Armenian and Azerbaijani population, although ethnic Armenians have constituted the majority since the late 19th century. In 1921, Moscow placed Nagorno-Karabakh within Soviet Azerbaijan as an autonomous oblast. In the late Soviet period, a separatist movement developed that sought to end Azerbaijani control over the region. Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988 and escalated after Armenia and Azerbaijan declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By the time a cease-fire took effect in 1994, separatists with Armenian support controlled Nagorno‑Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories. Armenia and Azerbaijan engaged in a second military conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020; Armenia lost control over much of the territory it had previously captured, returning the southern part of Nagorno-Karabakh and the territories around it to Azerbaijan. In September 2023, Azerbaijan took military action to regain control over Nagorno-Karabakh; after an armed conflict that lasted only one day, nearly the entire ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh fled to Armenia.
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan during the first period of conflict with Armenia and has since maintained a closed border, leaving Armenia with closed borders both in the west (with Turkey) and east (with Azerbaijan). Armenia and Turkey engaged in intensive diplomacy to normalize relations and open the border in 2009, but the signed agreement was not ratified in either country. In 2015, Armenia joined the Eurasian Economic Union alongside Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. In 2017, Armenia signed a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU.
In 2018, former President of Armenia (2008-18) Serzh SARGSIAN of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) tried to extend his time in power, prompting protests that became known as the “Velvet Revolution.” After SARGSIAN resigned, the National Assembly elected the leader of the protests, Civil Contract party chief Nikol PASHINYAN, as the new prime minister. PASHINYAN’s party has prevailed in subsequent legislative elections, most recently in 2021.
Geography18
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
Geographic coordinates
40 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references
Asia
Area
land: 28,203 sq km
water: 1,540 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries
border countries: Azerbaijan 996 km; Georgia 219 km; Iran 44 km; Turkey 311 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Terrain
Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley
Elevation
lowest point: Debed River 400 m
mean elevation: 1,792 m
Natural resources
small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite
Land use
agricultural land
agricultural land: arable land
agricultural land: permanent crops
agricultural land: permanent pasture
forest
other
Irrigated land
1,559 sq km (2022)
Major lakes (area sq km)
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
Natural hazards
occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
Geography - note
landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
People & Society36
Population
male: 1,451,842
female: 1,511,995
Nationality
adjective: Armenian
Ethnic groups
Armenian 98.1%, Yezidi 1.1%; less than 1%: Russian, other, Assyrian, Kurd, Ukrainian, Greek (2022 est.)
Languages
major-language sample(s):
Աշխարհի Փաստագիրք, Անփոխարինելի Աղբյւր Հիմնական Տեղեկատվւթյան. (Armenian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Armenian Apostolic 95.2%, not stated 1.7%; less than 1%: Catholic, no religion, Evangelical, Shar-fadinian, other, Armenian Orthodox, Jehovah's Witness, Pagan, Molokan (2022 est.)
Age structure
15-64 years: 67% (male 991,490/female 1,004,101)
65 years and over: 15.3% (2024 est.) (male 189,336/female 265,619)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 26.1 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 24.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 4.1 (2025 est.)
Median age
male: 37.6 years
female: 40.3 years
Population growth rate
-0.45% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
10.24 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.6 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-5.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
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
Urbanization
rate of urbanization: 0.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.095 million YEREVAN (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
25.2 years (2019 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
19 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male: 13.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
male: 73.4 years
female: 80.1 years
Total fertility rate
1.66 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.8 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 6.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
3.36 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
4.6 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
20.2% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer: 0.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 2.78 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
male: 47.6% (2025 est.)
female: 1.6% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
2.6% (2016 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
61.5% (2022 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 18: 5.3% (2016)
men married by age 18: 0.4% (2016)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% national budget): 8.7% national budget (2025 est.)
Literacy
male: 99.8% (2023 est.)
female: 99.9% (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male: 14 years (2023 est.)
female: 14 years (2023 est.)
Government23
Country name
conventional long form
conventional short form
local long form
local short form
former
etymology
Government type
parliamentary democracy; note - constitutional changes adopted in December 2015 transformed the government to a parliamentary system
Capital
geographic coordinates: 40 10 N, 44 30 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: name origin is unclear; it may derive from the name of a local ethnic group, or from the ancient fortress of Erebuni that was built on the current site of Yerevan in 782 B.C.
Administrative divisions
Legal system
civil law system
Constitution
amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by the president, the National Assembly, and 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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Armenia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
head of government
cabinet
election/appointment process
most recent election date
election results
2022: Vahagn KHACHATURYAN elected president in second round; note - Vahagn KHACHATURYAN (independent) ran unopposed and won the Assembly vote 71-0
2018: Armen SARKISSIAN elected president in first round; note - Armen SARKISSIAN (indpendent) ran unopposed and won the Assembly vote 90-10
expected date of next election
Legislative branch
legislature name
legislative structure
number of seats
electoral system
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
parties elected and seats per party
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Judicial branch
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
Political parties
Armenian National Congress or ANC
Bright Armenia or BA
Civil Contract or KP
Hanrapetutyun Party or HP
Heritage
I Have Honor Alliance (formerly known as the Republican Party of Armenia) PUD
Orinats Yerkir or OY
Prosperous Armenia or PAP
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
chancery
telephone
FAX
email address and website
https://usa.mfa.am/en/
consulate(s) general
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
embassy
1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082
mailing address
telephone
FAX
email address and website
https://am.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, 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, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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)
National holiday
Independence Day, 21 September (1991)
Flag
meaning: red stands for the blood shed for liberty, blue for the Armenian skies and hope, and orange for the land and the courage of the workers who farm it
National symbol(s)
Mount Ararat, eagle, lion
National color(s)
red, blue, orange
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: Mikael NALBANDIAN/Barsegh KANACHYAN
history: adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922), but with different lyrics
National heritage
selected World Heritage Site locales: Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin; Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley; Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin
Economy31
Economic overview
upper-middle income, fast-growing Caucasus economy; stable fiscal and monetary regime but vulnerable to geopolitical shocks; economic and energy ties to Russia but seeking more EU and US trade; key copper and gold exporter; business-friendly and anti-corruption reforms; persistent unemployment; influx of migrants from Ukraine war easing
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $57.516 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $53.108 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 8.3% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 12.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023: $19,400 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $17,900 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$25.787 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 2% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 8.6% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 23.2% (2024 est.)
services: 61.5% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
government consumption
investment in fixed capital
investment in inventories
exports of goods and services
imports of goods and services
Agricultural products
milk, potatoes, grapes, vegetables, wheat, tomatoes, watermelons, apricots, apples, barley (2023)
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
Industrial production growth rate
6.2% (2024 est.)
Labor force
1.51 million (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2023: 13.3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 13.4% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male: 24.8% (2024 est.)
female: 27.9% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
24.8% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Household income or consumption by percentage share
highest 10%: 22.9% (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2023: 6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 10.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Budget
expenditures: $6.27 billion (2023 est.)
Public debt
Taxes and other revenues
22.5% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2023: -$556.329 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $64.725 million (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2023: $14.338 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $10.118 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - partners
Russia 37%, UAE 25%, Hong Kong 7%, China 5%, Georgia 4% (2023)
Exports - commodities
gold, diamonds, copper ore, broadcasting equipment, jewelry (2023)
Imports
Imports 2023: $14.532 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $10.265 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - partners
Russia 29%, China 12%, Vietnam 6%, Georgia 5%, Iran 4% (2023)
Imports - commodities
cars, gold, diamonds, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $3.607 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $4.112 billion (2022 est.)
Debt - external
Exchange rates
Currency
Exchange rates 2024
Exchange rates 2023
Exchange rates 2022
Exchange rates 2021
Exchange rates 2020
Energy8
Electricity access
Electricity
consumption: 7.012 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 1.3 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 194.045 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 530.327 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
nuclear: 29% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 8.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 19% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 0.42GW (2025 est.)
Percent of total electricity production: 31.1% (2023 est.)
Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 1 (2025)
Coal
consumption: 19,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 24 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 23,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 317 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
Natural gas
imports: 2.631 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
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 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 2016; Public Radio of Armenia is a national, state-run broadcast network that operates alongside 18 privately owned radio stations (2024)
Internet country code
.am
Internet users
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2023 est.)
Transportation4
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
EK
Airports
11 (2025)
Heliports
1 (2025)
Railways
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
Armenian Republic Armed Forces: Armenian Army (includes land, air, air defense forces) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2023: 5.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 4.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 4.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 5% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 40-50,000 active Armenian Armed Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory includes mostly Russian and Soviet-era equipment; in recent years however, Armenia has looked to other countries besides Russia to provide military hardware, including France and India (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-27 for voluntary (men and women), contract (men and women) or compulsory (men) military service; contract military service is 3-12 months or up to 5 years; conscripts serve 24 months; all citizens aged 27-50 are registered in the military reserve and may be called to serve if mobilization is declared (2025)
Military - note
Armenia has traditionally had close military ties with Russia; it has been a member of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and committed troops to CSTO's rapid reaction force until suspending its engagement in 2024; Armenia has relations with NATO going back to 1992 when Armenia joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council; in 1994, it joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program and has contributed to the NATO force in Kosovo, as well as the former NATO deployment in Afghanistan (2025)
Transnational Issues1
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs: 4 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 373 (2024 est.)