Expert: cost of living in Armenia should be at least 120 thousand drams
YEREVAN, September 14. / ARKA /. The monthly cost of living in Armenia should be at least 120,000 drams, according to economist Vardan Bostanjyan.
Speaking at a news conference today he cited official statistics, which say poverty rate in the country is 34%, while the government-set cost of living is only 17,000 drams a month.
Describing the figure as ‘paradoxical’, Bostanjyan said 17,000 are not enough for citizens to even meet their most basic needs because this amount included not only the cost of food, but also electricity and gas bills, purchase of winter clothing and household goods.
According to him, this pricing is explained by the polarization of income since all the country's wealth is owned by a narrow circle of people, while the majority of Armenia's population is on the verge of poverty. ($ 1 - 485.08 drams)
Speaking at a news conference today he cited official statistics, which say poverty rate in the country is 34%, while the government-set cost of living is only 17,000 drams a month.
Describing the figure as ‘paradoxical’, Bostanjyan said 17,000 are not enough for citizens to even meet their most basic needs because this amount included not only the cost of food, but also electricity and gas bills, purchase of winter clothing and household goods.
According to him, this pricing is explained by the polarization of income since all the country's wealth is owned by a narrow circle of people, while the majority of Armenia's population is on the verge of poverty. ($ 1 - 485.08 drams)