Today, the world marks the International Day for Poverty Eradication. It is celebrated since 1993, by the UN decision.
National Statistical Service of Armenia stated that the Shirak region has the highest poverty rate- 48.3 percent, and Lori- 45.9 percent. According to NSS, the rate is low in Yerevan, Tavush and Syunik.
Expert Haurtyun Mesropian told “First News and Analyses” that compared to the period before the crisis, now poverty doubled. “I am not interested in the number, but the fact that prior to the crisis, and now poverty indicators are doubled. Before the crisis, the poverty rate was approximately 17 percent, and now -35 percent. The number of extreme poor has also increased, it means that we are still in crisis. ”
Mesropyan noted that as a result of poverty children do not have equal starting conditions, which is a serious problem both for school, and for universities.
As for the fight against poverty in Armenia, according to Hovhannes Mesropian, there is no such struggle. “There are various organizations in the fight against corruption, against poverty and so on. But if you ask an ordinary citizen, you will hardly find anyone who will say that a fight against poverty is going on. Saying a fight against poverty we mean such a fight the result of which people would feel in everyday life, and there is no such thing.” Said Mr. Mesropian