Ethnographer: Degradation of values is number one challenge in Armenia (video)
Every year, to raise awareness of rapid population growth across the world, the United Nations (UN) marks World Population Day on 11 July. People of the world face the same challenges on the whole, irrespective of their place of residence. But for a small country with a small territory and limited resources, like Armenia, it is more important to confront the major challenges faced by the population. Ethnographer Hranush Kharatyan says degradation of values is number one challenge in the country and all other problems stem from it. “Birthrates are falling dramatically in Armenia. There are problems connected with upbringing and education of children. Armenia also confronts a rapidly escalating migration crisis which is taking with it the male population – the most constructive, durable, consistent, proactive layer of the society. Another major concern is that more and more young people are living the country,” she said. Migration further deepened the consequences caused by the war and natural disasters. “Strange though it may seem, the average life expectancy has not dropped in Armenia. On the one hand, it implies certain vitality; on the other hand, it becomes another challenge, a social burden. The decrease in birth rate, improper use of the youth potential and aging population also pose a challenge for the world’s population. Assistant representative of UN Population Fund in Armenia, Mr. Garik Hayrapetyan says all these are consequences. The first and challenge for the world population is the impact of human activities on the environment and its consequences, which leads to global warming, various natural disasters, emergence of new disease,” he said.
