Armenia

SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children grow up with the care, protection and relationships they need to become their strongest selves (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Armenia)

The Republic of Armenia is a mountainous, landlocked country in Western Asia and part of the Caucasus region with around 2.9 million inhabitants. The capital city of Yerevan is home to about one million people. Between 35-40% of Armenians live in rural areas. Armenia faces challenges with high unemployment and labour skills that do not match the jobs available. The government has addressed some of the income inequality seen in earlier decades. However, more recently the country has seen rising poverty rates and an increasing vulnerability of children, young people and families.

SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, in Armenia since 1988.

Children are at risk

In Armenia, there are around 0.7 million children under the age of 18. Up to 30% of these children live in poverty and 2% live in extreme poverty. Since 2001, reforms have seen the number of children in state-run residential institutions halve to approximately 1,500 in 2019. However, children with disabilities remain among the most vulnerable groups, constituting around 1% of all children in Armenia. Many other children are in need of support so that they can grow up healthily and safely.
2 in 3
Children in Armenia experience violence at home

Violence

Around 7 in 10 children experience some form of psychological or physical punishment, including children under the age of one. As a result, thousands of children are separated from their family and placed in institutions. Some of these separations could be avoided with appropriate support to families. Family separation negatively impacts children in many ways, including their physical and mental health. It also leads to social marginalization and poorer future prospects.

1 in 4
Of older children in Armenia are not in education

Education

Despite free primary and secondary school education, 1 in 10 young children and 1 in 4 older children are not in education in Armenia. Around 12% of young people are also absent because they are not in education, employment, or training. As a result, up to 45% of students lack basic educational abilities and 20% have limited literacy in English, math, and science. These dropout rates are closely linked to poverty, child labour, and child marriage.

25%
Of the population lives in poverty

Poverty

In 2020, more than 25% of the population lived below the national poverty line. As a result, up to 30% of children lived in poverty, and this number rose to more than 80% in some rural communities. Children born into poverty are more likely to experience a wide range of health problems, including poor nutrition, chronic disease, and mental health problems. Poverty puts an additional strain on families, which can lead to parental mental health and relationship problems, financial challenges, and substance misuse.

Together we can make a difference for children in Armenia

1000
Families
Can stay together
70
People
Took part in our trainings
120
Children
Grow up in our care
50
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
250
Humanitarian aid
Services were provided
SOS Children’s Villages Armenia supports children, young people and adults so that they can stay in education and get the training they need (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Armenia).

Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!

Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives