About the Migration Governance Indicators

Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings

INTRODUCTION

This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of Republic of Armenia’s governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Impact. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.

Key findings

MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

All migrants in Armenia, regardless of their migration status, have access to government-funded health services on par with nationals as per the Constitution (2015, last amended in 2020) and the Law on Medical Aid and Service to the Population (1996).
All migrants, regardless of their migration status, can access government-funded primary and secondary education and vocational training as per the Constitution and the Law on Education (1999, last amended 2023)
Migrants in Armenia have the same access as citizens to some forms of social protection as per the Constitution and the Law on Social Assistance (2014, last amended 2022).
Armenia has agreements with other countries on the portability of social security entitlements and earned benefits, including old-age pensions such as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Labour Migration and Social Protection of Migrant Workers (1994) and the Agreement on Pension Provision for Workers of the Member States of the Eurasian Economic Union (2019).

Areas with potential for further development

The Electoral Code (2016, last amended 2022) allows voting in national elections only to specific categories of migrants: diplomatic service, military personnel, students and employees of Armenian entities (and their families members).
Limited civil registration services are extended to migrants without legal proof of identity in Armenia.

Key findings

WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

In 2021, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) developed the National Migration Governance Framework and its Action Plan.
Migrant integration and gender issues are addressed in the National Migration Governance Framework.
The Law on the Republic of Armenia on Foreigners (2006, last amended in 2023) and Law on Refugees and Asylum (2008, last amended in 2021) collectively regulate Armenia's immigration policies and procedures.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs coordinates efforts to engage with Armenia’s diaspora population.
Information on migration regulations and criteria are available to the public and published on the website of the Migration and Citizenship Service.
The Statistical Committee publishes an annual report on migration and annual statistical yearbooks. Furthermore, the Migration and Citizenship Service is responsible for compiling and harmonizing migration data collected by various government agencies, in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia on Foreigners (2006).

Areas with potential for further development

There is no interministerial coordination mechanism for migration issues at the national level, and efforts to enhance the vertical coherence of migration-related policies could be further developed.

Key findings

PARTNERSHIPS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

Armenia participates in several regional consultative processes, including the Budapest Process (1993), Eastern Partnership Panel on Migration, Mobility and Integrated Border Management (2001) and the Prague Process (2009).
Armenia has migration-related memorandumsa of understanding (MoUs) and agreements with other countries; and has signed agreements on the return and readmission of migrants with several countries.
Armenia is part of the Eurasian Economic Union Treaty (2014), a regional agreement promoting labour mobility.
The Government formally involves civil society organizations (CSOs) in agenda-setting and the implementation of migration-related policies, including their involvement in drafting the National Migration Governance Framework and its Action Plan in 2021.

Areas with potential for further development

The Government engages members of the diaspora and expatriate communities in agenda-setting and the implementation of development policies only in a semi-formal way through the iGorts programme.
There is potential for development in engaging the private sector in agenda-setting and the implementation of migration-related policies.

Key findings

WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

The Law on Citizenship (1995) and the Migration Governance Framework of Armenia (2021) include provisions for necessary assistance to Armenian citizens living abroad.
The National Financial Education Strategy (2014) and the Financial Education Plan and its Implementation Plan for the Years 2021–2025 include migrants and their families as target groups for financial-inclusion policies.
The Statistical Committee of Armenia regularly collects data on the labour market that is disaggregated by migration status and sex.

Areas with potential for further development

Armenia does not have a national assessment monitoring the labour market demand for migrants or monitoring the effects of emigrants on the domestic labour market.
Armenia has no specific mechanisms or measures to promote ethical recruitment of migrant workers.
The establishment of specific provisions to promote gender equality in the labour force for migrants is an area for further development.

Key findings

MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

The Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia regularly collects and publishes data on disaster displacement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides emergency consular assistance to Armenian nationals living abroad in situations of crisis. Armenians traveling or residing abroad can register their personal details to ensure protection of their rights, as mandated by the 1996 Law on Consular Service, last amended in 2021.
The Law on Population Protection (1998, amended 2023) in Armenia establishes communication systems that inform all people including migrants on the evolving nature of crises and how to access assistance.
Under the Law of the Republic of Armenia on Foreigners (2006) and the Law on Refugees and Asylum (2008, last amended in 2021) Armenia offers temporary protection to persons who are fleeing war or other similar crises of violence or conflict in their respective home countries and whose home countries cannot guarantee their protection.

Areas with potential for further development

The Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and its Implementation Plan (2017) has provision to address displacement and procedures to manage large-scale population movements at the time of disasters or crises but is no longer active. And the new Disaster Risk Management Strategy for 2023-2030 lacks provisions for displaced persons.
Armenia lacks human mobility integration in its environmental and climate policies, notably absent in the National Action Plan for Climate Change Adaptation (2021-2025) and Nationally Defined Contribution to the Paris Agreement (2021-2030).

Key findings

SAFE, ORDERLY AND DIGNIFIED MIGRATION

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

Border staff receive regular training as per the Law on Border Guard Troops (2001, last amended in 2018) and follow a new curriculum developed for the Border Guard Troops Training Centre in 2021.
Armenia's National Security Service, under the Office of the Prime Minister, oversees integrated border control and security per per Article 14 of the Decision on Approving the Statute of the National Security Service (2018, last amended in 2023).
Armenia incentivizes return of nationals with tax breaks for those abroad over 12 months. Programs like iGorts, from the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs (2020), encourage diaspora Armenians to serve in government roles.
The National Plan for Combating Human Trafficking and Exploitation (2023) includes specific measures for strengthening the institutional mechanisms for combating human trafficking and exploitation; as well as public awareness-raising campaigns and media's role in combating such crime.

Areas with potential for further development

There is no policy or strategy in place that includes measures for promoting and prioritizing noncustodial alternatives to detention for migrants.
Armenia’s Labour Code (2004, last amended in 2023) prohibits forced labour and violence generally. Strengthening initiatives, such as bilateral agreements with countries of destination, is an area for further development for combating migrant labor exploitation effectively.
There are no systems in place to trace and identify international migrants that have gone missing in the process of migration within the national territory.

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