Washington briefing: Human development, press freedom reports issued

by Emil Sanamyan

Published: Thursday October 22, 2009

UNDP Human Development Report..

Washington - Armenia's level of "human development" was below Turkey's but slightly above Azerbaijan's and Georgia's, according to an annual report issued by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

In a pattern similar to last year's findings, Armenia's ranking (84th) was worse than Russia's (71st) and Turkey's (79th) but better than Azerbaijan's (86th), Iran's (88th), and Georgia's (89th).

The Human Development Index is based on data about life expectancy, education levels, and per capita economic activity.

And according to a report issued by the Paris-based Reporters without Borders, Armenia registered a regress in press freedom. Armenia was this year ranked 111th, behind Georgia (81st), but ahead of Turkey (122nd), Azerbaijan (146th), Russia (153rd), and Iran (172nd).

In last year's report issued two months after the Russia-Georgia war, Georgia was ranked 120th and Armenia and Turkey shared the 102nd spot.