“We need to be able to resolve the following issues by the year 2050: Armenia needs to have a population of at least 5 million, we need to create 1.5 million jobs, we need to resolve 2.5 million people’s employment issues, and we need to get rid of poverty. So, we need to support such efforts,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during his speech in Stepanakert.
Aravot Daily asked ethnographer Rafik Nahapetyan how realistic he finds this. “Of course, there is a very large interval here: it’s 30 years away and we don’t know what’s waiting for us in 30 years. It’s possible if we unite, come to our senses, stop throwing rocks at each other, and focus on looking forward for the interests of our nation.”
When asked about whether he thinks there was no basis to Serzh Sargsyan’s statement that Armenia will have a population of 4 million by 2040 and if there is a basis to Pashinyan’s statement, Nahapetyan said, “There are so many cases of corruption that are being uncovered now. If we had worked towards improving our nation then, it would’ve been possible. But how was it possible when people were emigrating in masses? There have been some investments lately, but we need to focus on decreasing emigration and improving our economy. Our villages are empty and when you look at the villages near Spitak, it will break your heart. If people can avoid emigrating now and invest in the country’s improvement, it’s possible for the population to increase. That is a form of patriotism. Our people will be patriotic if they have a patriotic leader.”
Nikol Pashinyan called upon Armenian men to let their wives have businesses. Nahapetyan was asked whether he thinks women should do business or have children in order for Armenia to have a population of 5 million. “Both, of course. Women need to be free. They can have children and work at the same time. Our women are very flexible. Men don’t want to understand that women are fast thinkers and open-minded.”
