YEREVAN. – As of July 1, 2014, the permanent population in Armenia has comprised 3 million and 9,800 people, and both the birth and mortality rates have increased in the country.

Armenian National Statistical Service official Karine Kuyumjyan stated the above-said at a press conference on Monday.

In her words, Armenia’s permanent population has reduced by about 7,300, as compared with the beginning of the year. According to Kuyumjyan, this drop is primarily due to the fact that the country’s emigration rate was higher than the natural increase in the population.

The live births in Armenia totaled 19,401 in the first half of 2014, which is 3.2 percent more than the first half of last year. Furthermore, the boys make up the majority of the newborns.

The deaths in Armenia have amounted to 14,929 in the first half of this year, against the 14,310 deaths in the same period in 2013, which was about 4.3 percent less.

Karine Kuyumjyan added that infant mortality has reduced in Armenia.