Armenia’s Birth Rate Declines, Deaths Increase, Marriages Drop, and Divorces Rise in First Eight Months of 2024

4The Statistical Committee of Armenia has released its demographic report for January to August 2024, and the numbers reveal some concerning trends for the country. According to the data, both the birth rate and the number of marriages have dropped, while deaths and divorces have risen.

During the first eight months of 2024, a total of 21,876 children were born in Armenia. This represents a significant decline compared to the same period in 2023, with 1,675 fewer births recorded this year. The lower birth rate may raise concerns about the country’s population growth and long-term demographic balance.

On the other hand, deaths have increased. In the same period, 17,217 people passed away, which is 815 more than the number of deaths during the same months in 2023. The rise in deaths combined with the drop in births suggests that Armenia’s population is aging and facing health challenges that could be contributing to the higher mortality rate.

The report also highlighted a slight drop in the number of marriages. Between January and August 2024, 10,405 marriages were registered, which is 286 fewer than the 10,691 marriages recorded in 2023. This decrease, although not drastic, continues a trend seen in many countries where marriage rates are gradually declining.

Divorce rates, however, have gone up. A total of 3,041 divorces were registered in the first eight months of 2024, 92 more than in 2023. The increase in divorces could point to changing social dynamics, with more couples deciding to separate rather than remain in marriages that are not working out.

The committee also provided data on the movement of people in and out of the country. From January to August 2024, 3,169,964 people entered Armenia, while 3,168,452 left the country through its border checkpoints. These numbers show a very small difference between arrivals and departures, suggesting that the country is experiencing balanced movement, with no significant population loss or gain from migration.

The report mentioned that Armenia's viability factor, a measure of population stability, was 127.1%. This percentage indicates that while the country is managing to maintain its population levels for now, the declining birth rate and increasing death toll may put pressure on this balance in the future.

The decline in births and the rise in deaths are trends that Armenia will need to closely monitor. An aging population could lead to increased healthcare costs and a shrinking workforce. Moreover, the drop in marriages and the rise in divorces might reflect evolving social norms and economic factors impacting family life.

While the migration figures suggest that Armenia is not losing its population to emigration, the demographic shifts within the country could lead to long-term challenges. Policymakers may need to consider strategies to address the declining birth rate, improve public health, and support families to strengthen the country’s demographic future.