Armenian Society

Armenia has a population of approximately 3.1 million people (3,084,800 as of July 2025, according to the Statistical Committee of Armenia). The country maintains high educational standards, with 94% of the population aged six and older having attained primary education or higher according to the 2022 census. However, this strong educational foundation has not translated into high media literacy. An Internews 2024 study found that only 18% of Armenians can confidently identify disinformation, leaving the population vulnerable to misinformation despite widespread access to digital technologies.

Armenia's population is aging. The median age in 2023 was 39.2 years—the highest for the 2013-2023 period—with men averaging 37.1 years and women 41.1 years (2024 Demographic Yearbook). Approximately 2 million people live in urban areas, with 1 million in rural villages. The capital, Yerevan, is home to roughly 1.1 million residents, representing over one-third of the national population. The overall population density is approximately 104 people per square kilometer, with heavy concentration in Yerevan and central provinces while mountainous regions remain sparsely populated.

Armenian is the official language and mother tongue for approximately 97% of the population. Russian is widely used as a second language, particularly among older generations. Minority languages include Yezidi (approximately 1%), Assyrian, Ukrainian, and Kurdish in small communities.The 2022 census shows Armenia is ethnically homogeneous: Armenians comprise 98% of the population, followed by Yezidis (1%), Russians (0.5%), Assyrians (0.1%), and other minorities including Kurds, Ukrainians, Indians, Persians, Greeks, and Georgians (collectively 0.4%).

The Armenian Apostolic Church claims 95% of the population are adherents according to the 2022 census. Other Christian denominations—Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox, and others—account for 1.6% collectively. Yezidism represents 0.5%, with small pagan, Muslim, Hare Krishna, and Jewish communities making up the remainder.

Armenia has a compulsory twelve year education system with developed scientific traditions and strong IT education programs. The high general education level, however, has not produced corresponding media literacy. The gap between educational attainment (94% with primary education or higher) and media literacy (only 18% can identify disinformation) represents a significant vulnerability in Armenia's information environment. This discrepancy suggests that critical thinking skills specific to media consumption are not adequately developed within the formal education system.

Public trust in media outlets remains modest but is improving. According to the Freedom of Expression and Media Consumption 2024 survey, overall trust in media increased to approximately 53% in 2024, up from 49% in 2023. This limited trust reflects ongoing challenges in the media environment, including political polarization of outlets and questions about editorial independence.

The operating environment for journalists in Armenia deteriorated in 2024. According to the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, violations of journalists' and media outlets' rights increased compared to 2023. In 2024, authorities recorded 15 cases of physical violence affecting 24 victims, 71 instances of various other forms of pressure, and 122 violations of the right to obtain and disseminate information. Legal pressure through defamation and insult charges also intensified. Court cases against media outlets on these charges increased from 34 in 2023 to 43 in 2024. While Armenia is not classified among the most dangerous countries for journalists, restrictions, judicial harassment, and attacks occur regularly, particularly during periods of political tension.Despite these challenges, Armenia ranked 34th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' 2025 World Press Freedom Index, improving by 9 places over the previous year. This suggests freedom of speech levels have increased even as individual journalists face ongoing risks.