Armenia

Situation and Priorities

Social protection situation

The social protection system of Armenia plays an important role in providing social support to the population and alleviating the extreme poverty. The social protection policy is aimed at managing social risks by the state via prevention, reduction and regulation. The functions of the state system of social protection are clearly defined, based on which, corresponding programs are provided for vulnerable population groups. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Armenia was making gradual improvements to its business environment and establishing a track record of prudent macroeconomic policy management. Economic growth was strong, averaging 6.8 percent during 2017-19. However, in 2020 the twin shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and the military actions derailed Armenia’s economic expansion and resulted in a sharp 7.4 percent contraction of the economy. These shocks were accompanied by an increase in poverty, especially among the urban populations and those not well covered by the Government’s pension and social assistance programs. 

COVID-19 and other crises

The Government adopted programs to neutralize the socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus. 25 social and economic assistance programs have been approved by the relevant legal acts. As of February 25, 418792 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Armenia with 398241 recoveries. 10535 patients with COVID-19 are currently undergoing treatment. Armenia received “AstraZeneca” , “Sputnik V” and 200,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines. At the same time the luggage of 35 thousand doses of "Spikevax" vaccine of "Moderna" company, donated by the Greek government to the Republic of Armenia, has arrived in Armenia. The donation was made with the support of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism within the framework of the "Europe Team" initiative. As of February 20, 1992891 people were vaccinated, of which the first dose was 1077319, the second dose was 896723, and the boosters were 18849.

 

Government and social partner priorities

The main Government priorities to neutralize the social and economic consequences of the coronavirus were defined by Government’s Decision N354-L of March 26, according to which the Comprehensive Program of Measures to Counter the Economic Consequences of the Coronavirus was approved. The priorities are the followings: To assist individual businesses by sectors in Armenia in order to mitigate current liquidity risks as a result of coronavirus; Sustainable and continuous development of the economy, Clarification of capital investment priorities by the state and the activation of the implementation process; Identifying and assisting the groups of people who have lost their jobs because of coronavirus (including the self-employed) for whom it may be impossible to find another job in the near future; to ensure the social security of socially vulnerable groups, to support the economic stabilization of them and their families; Upgrading the health care system to effectively fight against the coronavirus, etc. The Ministry of Health informs that 21.578 billion drams were spent only by the Ministry in 2021 due to the pandemic.

ILO Experts

Nune Hovhannisyan
National Coordinator