YEREVAN. - If in developed countries fertility decline is conditioned with improved quality of life and education, in Armenia it is caused by severe socio-economic situation, said demographer Ruben Yeganyan to a press conference on Tuesday.

According to him, nowadays declining birth rates are observed in developed countries, while in poor countries there are predominantly large families.

"It is impossible to improve the demographic situation in the country at the expense of large families. These families do not solve problems but create others, since they are not able to feed and provide all the essentials for children," said the expert.

As for benefits issued at birth, according to demographer, they do not help to increase fertility.

"In Armenia, the state pays a lump sum of AMD 50 thousand when a child is born, for the third and subsequent child the allowance amount is AMD 430 thousand. However, a normal family is not attracted by these benefits. There are families that go for the birth third child in order to obtain money to pay debts,” Yeganyan said.

To change the demographic situation in the country, Yeganyan offers to apply lending system for the first marriage and to reduce the percentage of credit with the birth of children.

"Provided the socio-economic conditions, young people who do not have families are leaving the country, thus, implementation of such credit system might make a difference," he added.