The Government of Armenia has set in its new program to raise the fertility rate to 1.8.
On May 21, 2013, a group of Armenian journalists had a meeting with Ralf Hakkert, Senior Advisor on Data and Research, Population and Development Branch Technical Division, UNFPA, New York.
Garik Hayrapetyan, UNFPA Armenia Assistant Representative, present the expert to the group journalists. He pointed out that currently there are certain steps being taken in Armenia to either directly or indirectly improve the fertility rate, however, it not yet possible to be sure of their efficieny. According to Mr. Hayrapetyan, the current fertility rate in the country is around 1.5-1.6, while the Government of Armenia has set in its new program to raise it to 1.8.
Mr. Hakkert talked about demographic challenges that Armenia is facing and possible solutions to them. In particular, talking about low fertility rate, he mentioned that it is a relatively new phenomenon for UNFPA to help the governments to address it. Mr. Hakkert, while admitting that it is a legitimate wish of the Armenian government to want to increase the fertility rate, pointed out that it will be necessary to pay serious attention to interrelated issues like migration and high unemployment. Solution of these issues itself, as the advisor mentioned, can serve as a stimulus to higher fertility rate.
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