Unemployment at 30%?

Another story from RFE/RL, this time on the unemployment rate in Yerevan.

According to a survey by the EU-sponsored Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center (AEPLAC) unemployment in Yerevan is three times higher than official figures, although it is in line with the estimates of economists and analysts.

The EU-sponsored Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center (AEPLAC) has randomly interviewed one thousand people in all districts of the capital on their employment status, professional background and incomes. According to its researchers, almost one in three respondents said they can not find a job and half of them have university degrees

Further, a majority of those say they have never registered with state employment centres. Apparently they see little benefit in doing so.

According to the government, economic growth has reduced the number of Armenians seeking work overseas, but this limited economic growth is shaky, and could reverse at any time.

"The positive trends of the last two years must not be regarded as irreversible," Yeganian said. "They could change very quickly.

"This shaky improvement can not last for long unless the situation improves dramatically. Otherwise, it could set off a new, more powerful wave [of emigration] which could affect between 400,000 and 800,000 people in the next five to ten years."

Posted by Matt on August 18, 2004 | TrackBack | Email to a friend