By the beginning of 2021, one in three citizens of Armenia will be in poverty: 'Fact'

Experts estimate that by the beginning of 2021, one in three citizens of Armenia will be living in poverty, and we will close 2020 with a significant increase in the level of poverty. ‘Overall, we are heading towards a concrete increase in the level of poverty, including extreme poverty,’ economist Tadevos Avetisyan said in an interview with ‘Fact.’

In the past month, the increase in the prices of essential goods has been noticeable even to the naked eye. Furthermore, there are in-depth analyses suggesting that next year price hikes will reach greater volumes, which means a sharp increase in the levels of poverty and extreme poverty. However, this government is simply incapable of preventing such a prospect.

‘Now people are being presented with the notion that statistics show an inflation rate of 1.6 percent, and that this figure is manageable. This is not only dangerous populism but also inherently dangerous because it creates disproportionate expectations among the population. In reality, inflation is certainly not 1.6 percent. Various essential goods have risen in price by up to 20 percent, and this trend continues. In such a situation, it is also important to note that people's nominal incomes have not increased; moreover, in the budget projected by this government for 2021, there is no increase in this regard,’ said A. Avetisyan,” the newspaper writes.

Read the full article in today’s issue of the newspaper.