Social Situation of the Population is Worsening: Manaseryan

Eminent economist, Doctor of Economics, and Professor Tatul Manaseryan states: “When I say that the social situation of the population is worsening, some get upset. Setting aside expert assessments, I present just a few instances from official statistics:

• 475,000 people receive pensions ranging from only about 45-52 thousand drams while the food basket costs around 80,000 drams (excluding utility, transport, and clothing expenses).
• There are over 190,000 officially registered unemployed people. Many do not register as unemployed since no benefits are granted for that.
• 220,000 individuals hold dire, non-returnable loans (the representatives of the previous two groups are practically not granted loans).

To this, add those under 18, expectant mothers, the sick, conscripted military personnel, disabled war veterans, landless farmers, the imprisoned, other incapacitated individuals, and those forcibly displaced from Artsakh, then you can at least get a rough idea of the actual income and social conditions of the population.”