User:Yerevantsi/Artagaght
A mass emigration from the Republic of Armenia (Armenian: արտագաղթ artagaght' ) started during the last years of the Soviet Union due to harsh socio-economic conditions in the country, caused by several factors.
In December 1988, the Spitak Earthquake left hundreds of thousands in northern Armenia without homes and up to 50,000 dead.[1] In 1989, the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant, which provides 40% of Armenia's electricity, was shut down for about 6 years (until 1995), while since 1992, the Armenian forces were actively involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh War with neighboring Azerbaijan over the disputed Armenian-populated region. A regional conflict started in 1988 and included cases of ethnic violence prior to the escalation of the war.[2]
The World Bank estimated that by 2010, 28.2% Armenia's population (about 870,200 people) have emigrated.[3]
Overview edit
The main period of migration were the first years of independence from the Soviet Union, which Armenia gained in 1991, after the national referendum. The years which are now remembered as Dark and cold years (due to lack of electricity and gas), were notable because of great numbers of Armenians who left their homes. The main destination of Armenian emigrants was Russia, as many of them spoke Russian after over 150 years of Russian domination. Others chose the United States and the European nations of Germany, Spain, France, Poland, etc. According to the Armenian National Statistical Service, the greatest number of outflow was recorded in 1992, 1993 and 1994.
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/society27150.html
90% of Armenian Migrants Leave for Russia
Armenia is being warned that it faces "a new wave of emigration" unless the government does more to improve the socioeconomic situation and strengthen the rule of law, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
The warning came in a report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) presented today.
The report -- drawn up by local migration experts -- called for wide-ranging government measures, including democratic reform, that would "considerably reduce the motivation of Armenia's population to leave the country."
At least 700,000 Armenians, or about one-quarter of the country's population, are believed to have emigrated to Russia and other countries since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the resulting turmoil in the region.
The outflow slowed significantly in the 1990s as the Armenian economy began recovering from its post-Soviet slump.
The report says tens of thousands of Armenian men working abroad might eventually reunite with their families and cause Armenia to "lose another 200,000-300,000 citizens."
Blockades by two neighbors—Turkey and Azerbaijan—coupled with the Nagorno Karabagh War paralyzed the country economically. Armenia hemorrhaged about one fourth of its population within the first decade. The emigration rate, although reduced, still continues to alarm observers.
"Some have referred to it as a crisis, a disaster, and a serious threat to national security."
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/01/03/mayissian-armenias-silent-national-security-threat/
http://europeandcis.undp.org/news/show/87B390CE-F203-1EE9-B95DF29A79F6080C
Statistics edit
http://www.armenianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NSS-Figure-2.jpg
http://www.armstat.am/file/article/demos_12_7-10.pdf
- 1990: 1,700
- 1991: 4,400
- 1992: -214,300
- 1993: -138,600
- 1994: -122,900
- 1995: -35,600
- 1996: -26,000
- 1997: -27,800
- 1998: -22,300
- 1999: -17,600
- 2000: -21,900
- 2001: -10,500
- 2002: -9,200
- 2003: -7,900
- 2004: -8,200
- 2005: -7,700
- 2006: -6,700
- 2007: -6,100
- 2008: -5,900
- 2009: -5,300
- 2010: -3,800
- 2011: -3,700
- 1990-2011: -695,900
In popular culture edit
Empyray - Veradarnum em (2013)
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Fein, Esther B. (10 December 1988). "Soviet aides say deaths in quake may reach 50,000". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ^ Münz, Rainer (2003). Diasporas and Ethnic Migrants: German, Israel, and Post-Soviet Successor States in Comparative Perspective. London: Psychology Press. p. 161. ISBN 9780714652320.
The situation changed drastically in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The disintegration of the USSR had a significant impact on Armenian population which intensified by other regional events, in particular the earthquake of 1988, the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan and, after 1991, the growing political tension in Transcaucasia, the North Caucasus and Central Asia. On the one hand, these changes provoked forced migration of Armenians from Azerbaijan, North Caucasus and Abkhazia. The number of Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan in 1988-91 alone is estimated at 350,000. On the other had, the deterioration of the economic and political situation in Armenia entailed a massive emigration from Armenia, which largely facilitated with the help of relatives and friends belonging to the diaspora, either in Russia, on other former Soviet republics or in Western countries. Between 1990 and 1998, according to official Russian data, the net migration of Armenians to Russia reached 312,000 persons, but it is likely that not all immigrants were include in official data. Taking into consideration natural increase, the number of Armenians in Russia in 1999 is estimated at no less than 875,000. In 1989 the number was 532,000. Moreover, a wave of Armenian emigration occurred not only to other former Soviet republics, for example to Ukraine, but also to Western countries. The total number of Armenian emigrants to the United States in the first half of the 1990s was estimated at 80,000. According to estimates by Armenian experts, the total emigration between 1990 and 1997 amounted to 700,000 persosn or 20 per cent of Armenia's population.
{{cite book}}: line feed character in|quote=at position 877 (help) - ^ Migration and remittances factbook 2011 (PDF). Washington, DC: The World Bank. 2010. ISBN 978-0-8213-8218-9.
- ^ "UN Report Warns Of 'New Wave' Of Emigration From Armenia". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
- ^ Barsoumian, Nanore (22 January 2013). "To Greener Shores: A Detailed Report on Emigration from Armenia". The Armenian Weekly. Retrieved 17 February 2013.