Less money being sent home by Armenian emigrants

Head of the migration service of Armenia Gagik Eganian has stated that due to the economic crisis money transfers from abroad have decreased.

At present 85 % of money transfers into Armenia come from Russia, 4% from the USA and 2% from European countries. Eganian stated that a huge number of Armenians, mainly men, had emigrated to Russia in search of a better income and the crisis in Russia has had a negative effect for these people as well. Many have returned to Armenia as most were engaged in the construction business which has been badly hit by the crisis.

OSCE research shows that every spring 60-80,000 Armenian seasonal workers migrated to Russia. In 2009 the number of people doing this has declined dramatically.