YEREVAN. - Birth rate decreased by 20.5 percent in Armenia. The first half of 2011 saw 5,359 births, whereas the relevant period of 2010 was marked with 6,739 births, said Head of Population Census and Demography Department of the National Statistical Service (NSS) of Armenia Karine Kuyumjyan on Friday.

She mentioned also a 3.2 percent increase in mortality rate in relation to the first half of 2010.

The expert added that, according to the first half of 2011, the senility level has also increased in Armenia, amounting to 11.5 percent (7.8 percent in 2010)

“As of the first six months of current year, 821,644 people left Armenia and 754,371 people entered the country. The negative balance amounts to 89,345 people," summarized Kuyumjyan.