December 4, 2009 - 17:16 AMT
Ruben Yeganyan: I find our population's situation catastrophic
The difference between emigrants and immigrants makes up 7-8 thousand people annually, but official data do not always reflect the real situation, according to demographer, Head of Armenian Social-demographic Project NGO Ruben Yeganyan. "Our nation will be soon facing a serious demographic problem," he told Friday a news conference, adding that the real difference between emigrants and immigrants makes up about 20-25 thousand people annually.

"We divide migrants into two categories: those who leave the country permanently and those who seek employment opportunities abroad," he noted.

Yeganyan doesn't find 2002 census returns realistic. According to official data, Armenia in that period had a population of 3 800 000 but as a matter of fact there were 3 210 000 people living in the country, ethnographer said, characterizing the country's situation catastrophic.