Artak Manukyan, Procurement Expert of Transparency International Anticorruption Center (TIAC) noted that examining the data presented in Social Snapshot and Poverty in Armenia 2014 Statistical Analytical Report by the National Statistical Service (NSS) of Armenia one could say that the Armenian government failed its promises and steps. “According to the report the state of poverty was improved, it is also mentioned that in 2014 the total poverty rate was 2.4 percentage points higher than the respective indicators in 2008 against the backdrop of economic growth. The economic growth noted by the government does not affect poverty level.

According to Artak Manukyan the new statistics verify that Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) carried out in Armenia failed to achieve their goals. “PRSPs are funded by donors, compared with 2008 there was decline. Therefore, a question arises: why are PRSPs adopted when poverty increased rather than reduced. There might be two explanations: either the incomes are greatly unequal, i.e. the rich might not suffer compared with the poor and middle class, therefore they feel the economic growth, while others do not feel. As for the second explanation, it is the state that is to blame, i.e. since the state has social function which implies social policy pursuance, for instance creating a safety cushion for the poor, for them to exist in crisis, which we failed.”