YEREVAN. - Demographic studies of recent years indicate that the issue of fertility decline is actual in Armenia, said demographer Ruben Yeganyan to a press conference on Tuesday.

Demographic decline is preconditioned with the fact that the generation of 1990s has reached the reproduction phase, while 1990s have seen another fertility decline. The expert argues that soon mortality rate will exceed birth rate in Armenia.

“The birth rate in Armenia is 1.7 while it should be 2.1 for the reproduction of the generation,” said Yeganyan, stressing that in Armenia birth rate has been lower than 2.7 since 1993-1994.

According to the expert, from demographic point of view Armenia is considered an aging country, since 12 percent of population is pensioners. In this context the country will face grave socio-economic problems in near future. In political regard, Armenia’s role in the region will lower, he said.

Reflecting on the reasons for fertility decline, the demographer said that in 1990s about 25 percent of the population permanently left the country.