Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Yerevan, Armenia metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Abstract

The Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS) was a nationally representative sample survey designed to provide information on population and health issues in Armenia. The primary goal of the survey was to develop a single integrated set of demographic and health data, the first such data set pertaining to the population of the Republic of Armenia. In addition to integrating measures of reproductive, child, and adult health, another feature of the DHS survey is that the majority of data are presented at the marz level.

The ADHS was conducted by the National Statistical Service and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia during October through December 2000. ORC Macro provided technical support for the survey through the MEASURE DHS+ project. MEASURE DHS+ is a worldwide project, sponsored by the USAID, with a mandate to assist countries in obtaining information on key population and health indicators. USAID/Armenia provided funding for the survey. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)/Armenia provided support through the donation of equipment.

The ADHS collected national- and regional-level data on fertility and contraceptive use, maternal and child health, adult health, and AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from women of reproductive age and, on certain topics, from men as well. Data are presented by marz wherever sample size permits.

The ADHS results are intended to provide the information needed to evaluate existing social programs and to design new strategies for improving the health of and health services for the people of Armenia. The ADHS also contributes to the growing international database on demographic and health-related variables.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Household
• Children under five years
• Women age 15-49
• Men age 15-54

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Sampling procedure

The sample was designed to provide estimates of most survey indicators (including fertility, abortion, and contraceptive prevalence) for Yerevan and each of the other ten administrative regions (marzes). The design also called for estimates of infant and child mortality at the national level for Yerevan and other urban areas and rural areas.

The target sample size of 6,500 completed interviews with women age 15-49 was allocated as follows: 1,500 to Yerevan and 500 to each of the ten marzes. Within each marz, the sample was allocated between urban and rural areas in proportion to the population size. This gave a target sample of approximately 2,300 completed interviews for urban areas exclusive of Yerevan and 2,700 completed interviews for the rural sector. Interviews were completed with 6,430 women. Men age 15-54 were interviewed in every third household; this yielded 1,719 completed interviews.

A two-stage sample was used. In the first stage, 260 areas or primary sampling units (PSUs) were selected with probability proportional to population size (PPS) by systematic selection from a list of areas. The list of areas was the 1996 Data Base of Addresses and Households constructed by the National Statistical Service. Because most selected areas were too large to be directly listed, a separate segmentation operation was conducted prior to household listing. Large selected areas were divided into segments of which two segments were included in the sample. A complete listing of households was then carried out in selected segments as well as selected areas that were not segmented.

The listing of households served as the sampling frame for the selection of households in the second stage of sampling. Within each area, households were selected systematically so as to yield an average of 25 completed interviews with eligible women per area. All women 15-49 who stayed in the sampled households on the night before the interview were eligible for the survey. In each segment, a subsample of one-third of all households was selected for the men's component of the survey. In these households, all men 15-54 who stayed in the household on the previous night were eligible for the survey.

Note: See detailed description of sample design in APPENDIX A of the survey report.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Three questionnaires were used in the ADHS: a Household Questionnaire, a Women’s Questionnaire, and a Men’s Questionnaire. The questionnaires were based on the model survey instruments developed for the MEASURE DHS+ program. The model questionnaires were adapted for use during a series of expert meetings hosted by the Center of Perinatology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology. The questionnaires were developed in English and translated into Armenian and Russian. The questionnaires were pretested in July 2000.

The Household Questionnaire was used to list all usual members of and visitors to a household and to collect information on the physical characteristics of the dwelling unit. The first part of the household questionnaire collected information on the age, sex, residence, educational attainment, and relationship to the household head of each household member or visitor. This information provided basic demographic data for Armenian households. It also was used to identify the women and men who were eligible for the individual interview (i.e., women 15-49 and men 15-54). The second part of the Household Questionnaire consisted of questions on housing characteristics (e.g., the flooring material, the source of water, and the type of toilet facilities) and on ownership of a variety of consumer goods.

The Women’s Questionnaire obtained information on the following topics: - Background characteristics - Pregnancy history - Antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care - Knowledge and use of contraception - Attitudes toward contraception and abortion - Reproductive and adult health - Vaccinations, birth registration, and health of children under age five - Episodes of diarrhea and respiratory illness of children under age five - Breastfeeding and weaning practices - Height and weight of women and children under age five - Hemoglobin measurement of women and children under age five - Marriage and recent sexual activity - Fertility preferences - Knowledge of and attitude toward AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.

The Men’s Questionnaire focused on the following topics: - Background characteristics - Health - Marriage and recent sexual activity - Attitudes toward and use of condoms - Knowledge of and attitude toward AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.

Cleaning operations

After a team had completed interviewing in a cluster, questionnaires were returned promptly to the National Statistical Service in Yerevan for data processing. The office editing staff first checked that questionnaires for all selected households and eligible respondents had been received from the field staff. In addition, a few questions that had not been precoded (e.g., occupation) were coded at this time. Using the ISSA (Integrated System for Survey Analysis) software, a specially trained team of data processing staff entered the questionnaires and edited the resulting data set on microcomputers. The process of office editing and data processing was initiated soon after the beginning of fieldwork and was completed by the end of January 2001.

Response rate

A total of 6,524 households were selected for the sample, of which 6,150 were occupied at the time of fieldwork. The main reason for the difference is that some of the dwelling units that were occupied during the household listing operation were either vacant or the household was away for an extended period at the time of interviewing. Of the occupied households, 97 percent were successfully interviewed.

In these households, 6,685 women were identified as eligible for the individual interview (i.e., age 15-49). Interviews were completed with 96 percent of them. Of the 1,913 eligible men identified, 90 percent were successfully interviewed. The principal reason for non-response among eligible women and men was the failure to find them at home despite repeated visits to the household. The refusal rate was low.

The overall response rates, the product of the household and the individual response rates, were 94 percent for women and 87 percent for men.

Note: See summarized response rates by residence (urban/rural) in Table 1.1 of the survey report.

Sampling error estimates

The estimates from a sample survey are affected by two types of errors: (1) nonsampling errors, and (2) sampling errors. Nonsampling errors are the results of mistakes made in implementing data collection and data processing, such as failure to locate and interview the correct household, misunderstanding of the questions on the part of either the interviewer or the respondent, and data entry errors. Although numerous efforts were made during the implementation of the 2000 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS) to minimize this type of error, nonsampling errors are impossible to avoid and difficult to evaluate statistically.

Sampling errors, on the other hand, can be evaluated statistically. The sample of respondents selected in the ADHS is only one of many samples that could have been selected from the same population, using the same design and expected size. Each of these samples would yield results that differ somewhat from the results of the actual sample selected. Sampling errors are a measure of the variability between all possible samples. Although the degree of variability is not known exactly, it can be estimated from the survey

Abstract

The Integrated Living Conditions Survey (ILCS), conducted annually by the NSS National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia, formed the basis for monitoring living conditions in Armenia. The ILCS is a universally recognized best-practice survey for collecting data to inform about the living standards of households. The ILCS comprises comprehensive and valuable data on the welfare of households and separate individuals which gives the NSS an opportunity to provide the public with up to date information on the population’s income, expenditures, the level of poverty and the other changes in living standards on an annual basis.

Geographic coverage

Urban and rural communities

Analysis unit

• Households;
• Individuals.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

During the 2001-2003 surveys two-stage random sample was used; the first stage covered the selection of settlements - cities and villages, while the second stage was focused on the selection of households in these settlements. The surveys were conducted on the principle of monthly rotation of households by clusters (sample units). In 2002 and 2003 the number of households was 387 with the sample covering 14 cities and 30 villages in 2002 and 17 cities and 20 villages in 2003.

During the 2004-2006 surveys the sampling frame for the ILCS was built using the database of addresses for the 2001 Population Census; the database was developed with the World Bank technical assistance. The database of addresses of all households in Armenia was divided into 48 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan city. The households from other regions (marzes) were grouped according to the following three categories: big towns with 15,000 and more population; villages, and other towns. Big towns formed 16 strata (the only exception was the Vayots Dzor marz where there are no big towns). The villages and other towns formed 10 strata each. According to this division, a random, two-step sample stratified at marz level was developed. All marzes, as well as all urban and rural settlements were included in the sample population according to the share of population residing in those settlements as percent to the total population in the country. In the first step, the settlements, i.e. primary sample units, were selected: 43 towns out of 48 or 90 percent of all towns in Armenia were surveyed during the year; also 216 villages out of 951 or 23 percent of all villages in the country were covered by the survey. In the second step, the respondent households were selected: 6,816 households (5,088 from urban and 1,728 from rural settlements). As a result, for the first time since 1996 survey data were representative at the marz level.

During the 2007-2012 surveys the sampling frame for ILCS was designed according to the database of addresses for the 2001 Population Census, which was developed with the World Bank technical assistance. The sample consisted of two parts: core sample and oversample.

1) For the creation of core sample, the sample frame (database of addresses of all households in Armenia) was divided into 48 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan city. The households from other regions (marzes) were grouped according to three categories: large towns (with population of 15000 and higher), villages and other towns. Large towns formed by 16 groups (strata), while the villages and towns formed by 10 strata each. According to that division, a random, two-step sample stratified at the marz level was developed. All marzes, as well as all urban and rural settlements were included in the sample population according to the share of households residing in those settlements as percent to the total households in the country. In the first step, using the PPS method the enumeration units (i.e., primary sample units to be surveyed during the year) were selected. 2007 sample includes 48 urban and 18 rural enumeration areas per month. 2) The oversample was drawn from the list of villages included in MCA-Armenia Rural Roads Rehabilitation Project. The enumeration areas of villages that were already in the core sample were excluded from that list. From the remaining enumeration areas 18 enumeration areas were selected per month. Thus, the rural sample size was doubled. 3) After merging the core sample and oversample, the survey households were selected in the second step. 656 households were surveyed per month, from which 368 from urban and 288 from rural settlements. Each month 82 interviewers had conducted field work, and their workload included 8 households per month. In 2007 number of surveyed households was 7,872 (4,416 from urban and 3,456 from rural areas).

For the survey 2013 the sample frame for ILCS was designed in accordance with the database of addresses of all private households in the country developed on basis of the 2001 Population Census results, with the technical assistance of the World Bank. The method of systematic representative probability sampling was used to frame the sample. For the purpose of drawing the sample, the sample frame was divided into 32 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan City (currently, the administrative districts). According to this division, a two-tier sample was drawn stratified by regions and by Yerevan. All regions and Yerevan, as well as all urban and rural communities were included in the sample in accordance to the shares of their resident households within the total number of households in the country. In the first round, enumeration areas - that is primary sample units to be surveyed during the year - were selected. The ILCS 2013 sample included 32 enumeration areas in urban and 16 enumeration areas in rural communities per month. The households to be surveyed were selected in the second round. A total of 432 households were surveyed per month, of which 279 and 153 households from urban and rural communities, respectively. Every month 48 interviewers went on field work with a workload of 9 households per month.

The sample frame for 2014-2016 was designed in accordance with the database of addresses of all private households in the country developed on basis of the 2011 Population Census results, with the technical assistance of the World Bank. The method of systematic representative probability sampling was used to frame the sample.
For drawing the sample, the sample frame was divided into 32 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan City (currently, the administrative districts). According to this division, a two-tier sample was drawn stratified by regions and by Yerevan. All regions and Yerevan, as well as all urban and rural communities were included in the sample in accordance to the shares of their resident households within the total number of households in the country. In the first round, enumeration areas - that is primary sample units to be surveyed during the year - were selected. The ILCS 2014 sample included 30 enumeration areas in urban and 18 enumeration areas in rural communities per month. The method of representative probability sampling was used to frame the sample. At regional level, all communities were grouped into two categories - towns and villages. According to this division, a two-tier sample was drawn stratified by regions and by Yerevan. All regions and Yerevan, as well as all rural and urban communities were included in the sample in accordance to the shares of their resident households within the total number of households in the country. In the first round, enumeration districts - that is primary sample units to be surveyed during the year - were selected. The ILCS 2015 sample included 30 enumeration districts in urban and 18 enumeration districts in rural communities per month.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The Questionnaire is filled in by the interviewer during the least five visits to households per month. During face-to-face interviews with the household head or another knowledgeable adult member, the interviewer collects information on the composition and housing conditions of the household, the employment status, educational level and health condition of the members, availability and use of land, livestock, and agricultural machinery, monetary and commodity flows between households, and other information.

The 2015 survey questionnaire had the following sections: (1) "List of Household Members", (2) "Migration", (3) "Housing and Dwelling Conditions", (4) "Employment", (5) "Education", (6) "Agriculture", (7) "Food Production", (8) "Monetary and Commodity Flows between Households", (9) "Health (General) and Healthcare", (10) "Debts", (11) "Subjective Assessment of Living Conditions", (12) "Provision of Services", (13) "Social Assistance", (14) "Households as Employers for Service Personnel", and (15) "Household Monthly Consumption of Energy Resources".

The Diary is completed directly by the household for one month. Every day the household would record all its expenditures on food, non-food products and services, also giving a detailed description of such purchases; e.g. for food products the name, quantity, cost, and place of purchase of the product is recorded. Besides, the household records its consumption of food products received and used from its own land and livestock, as well as from other sources (e.g. gifts, humanitarian aid). Non-food products and services purchased or received for free are also recorded in the diary. Then, the household records its income received during the month. At the end of the month, information on rarely used food products, durable goods and ceremonies is recorded, as well. The records in the diary are verified by the interviewer in the course of 5

Abstract

The Integrated Living Conditions Survey (ILCS), conducted annually by the NSS National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia, formed the basis for monitoring living conditions in Armenia. The ILCS is a universally recognized best-practice survey for collecting data to inform about the living standards of households. The ILCS comprises comprehensive and valuable data on the welfare of households and separate individuals which gives the NSS an opportunity to provide the public with up to date information on the population’s income, expenditures, the level of poverty and the other changes in living standards on an annual basis.

Geographic coverage

Urban and rural communities

Analysis unit

• Households;
• Individuals.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

During the 2001-2003 surveys two-stage random sample was used; the first stage covered the selection of settlements - cities and villages, while the second stage was focused on the selection of households in these settlements. The surveys were conducted on the principle of monthly rotation of households by clusters (sample units). In 2002 and 2003 the number of households was 387 with the sample covering 14 cities and 30 villages in 2002 and 17 cities and 20 villages in 2003.

During the 2004-2006 surveys the sampling frame for the ILCS was built using the database of addresses for the 2001 Population Census; the database was developed with the World Bank technical assistance. The database of addresses of all households in Armenia was divided into 48 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan city. The households from other regions (marzes) were grouped according to the following three categories: big towns with 15,000 and more population; villages, and other towns. Big towns formed 16 strata (the only exception was the Vayots Dzor marz where there are no big towns). The villages and other towns formed 10 strata each. According to this division, a random, two-step sample stratified at marz level was developed. All marzes, as well as all urban and rural settlements were included in the sample population according to the share of population residing in those settlements as percent to the total population in the country. In the first step, the settlements, i.e. primary sample units, were selected: 43 towns out of 48 or 90 percent of all towns in Armenia were surveyed during the year; also 216 villages out of 951 or 23 percent of all villages in the country were covered by the survey. In the second step, the respondent households were selected: 6,816 households (5,088 from urban and 1,728 from rural settlements). As a result, for the first time since 1996 survey data were representative at the marz level.

During the 2007-2012 surveys the sampling frame for ILCS was designed according to the database of addresses for the 2001 Population Census, which was developed with the World Bank technical assistance. The sample consisted of two parts: core sample and oversample.

1) For the creation of core sample, the sample frame (database of addresses of all households in Armenia) was divided into 48 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan city. The households from other regions (marzes) were grouped according to three categories: large towns (with population of 15000 and higher), villages and other towns. Large towns formed by 16 groups (strata), while the villages and towns formed by 10 strata each. According to that division, a random, two-step sample stratified at the marz level was developed. All marzes, as well as all urban and rural settlements were included in the sample population according to the share of households residing in those settlements as percent to the total households in the country. In the first step, using the PPS method the enumeration units (i.e., primary sample units to be surveyed during the year) were selected. 2007 sample includes 48 urban and 18 rural enumeration areas per month. 2) The oversample was drawn from the list of villages included in MCA-Armenia Rural Roads Rehabilitation Project. The enumeration areas of villages that were already in the core sample were excluded from that list. From the remaining enumeration areas 18 enumeration areas were selected per month. Thus, the rural sample size was doubled. 3) After merging the core sample and oversample, the survey households were selected in the second step. 656 households were surveyed per month, from which 368 from urban and 288 from rural settlements. Each month 82 interviewers had conducted field work, and their workload included 8 households per month. In 2007 number of surveyed households was 7,872 (4,416 from urban and 3,456 from rural areas).

For the survey 2013 the sample frame for ILCS was designed in accordance with the database of addresses of all private households in the country developed on basis of the 2001 Population Census results, with the technical assistance of the World Bank. The method of systematic representative probability sampling was used to frame the sample. For the purpose of drawing the sample, the sample frame was divided into 32 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan City (currently, the administrative districts). According to this division, a two-tier sample was drawn stratified by regions and by Yerevan. All regions and Yerevan, as well as all urban and rural communities were included in the sample in accordance to the shares of their resident households within the total number of households in the country. In the first round, enumeration areas - that is primary sample units to be surveyed during the year - were selected. The ILCS 2013 sample included 32 enumeration areas in urban and 16 enumeration areas in rural communities per month. The households to be surveyed were selected in the second round. A total of 432 households were surveyed per month, of which 279 and 153 households from urban and rural communities, respectively. Every month 48 interviewers went on field work with a workload of 9 households per month.

The sample frame for 2014-2016 was designed in accordance with the database of addresses of all private households in the country developed on basis of the 2011 Population Census results, with the technical assistance of the World Bank. The method of systematic representative probability sampling was used to frame the sample.
For drawing the sample, the sample frame was divided into 32 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan City (currently, the administrative districts). According to this division, a two-tier sample was drawn stratified by regions and by Yerevan. All regions and Yerevan, as well as all urban and rural communities were included in the sample in accordance to the shares of their resident households within the total number of households in the country. In the first round, enumeration areas - that is primary sample units to be surveyed during the year - were selected. The ILCS 2014 sample included 30 enumeration areas in urban and 18 enumeration areas in rural communities per month. The method of representative probability sampling was used to frame the sample. At regional level, all communities were grouped into two categories - towns and villages. According to this division, a two-tier sample was drawn stratified by regions and by Yerevan. All regions and Yerevan, as well as all rural and urban communities were included in the sample in accordance to the shares of their resident households within the total number of households in the country. In the first round, enumeration districts - that is primary sample units to be surveyed during the year - were selected. The ILCS 2015 sample included 30 enumeration districts in urban and 18 enumeration districts in rural communities per month.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The Questionnaire is filled in by the interviewer during the least five visits to households per month. During face-to-face interviews with the household head or another knowledgeable adult member, the interviewer collects information on the composition and housing conditions of the household, the employment status, educational level and health condition of the members, availability and use of land, livestock, and agricultural machinery, monetary and commodity flows between households, and other information.

The 2014 survey questionnaire had the following sections: (1) "List of Household Members", (2) "Migration", (3) "Housing and Dwelling Conditions", (4) "Employment", (5) "Education", (6) "Agriculture", (7) "Food Production", (8) "Monetary and Commodity Flows between Households", (9) "Health (General) and Healthcare", (10) "Debts", (11) "Subjective Assessment of Living Conditions", (12) "Provision of Services", (13) "Social Assistance", (14) "Households as Employers for Service Personnel", and (15) "Household Monthly Consumption of Energy Resources".

The Diary is completed directly by the household for one month. Every day the household would record all its expenditures on food, non-food products and services, also giving a detailed description of such purchases; e.g. for food products the name, quantity, cost, and place of purchase of the product is recorded. Besides, the household records its consumption of food products received and used from its own land and livestock, as well as from other sources (e.g. gifts, humanitarian aid). Non-food products and services purchased or received for free are also recorded in the diary. Then, the household records its income received during the month. At the end of the month, information on rarely used food products, durable goods and ceremonies is recorded, as well. The records in the diary are verified by the interviewer in the course of 5

Abstract

The 2015-16 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (2015-16 ADHS) is the fourth in a series of nationally representative sample surveys designed to provide information on population and health issues. It is conducted in Armenia under the worldwide Demographic and Health Surveys program. Specifically, the objective of the 2015-16 ADHS is to provide current and reliable information on fertility and abortion levels, marriage, sexual activity, fertility preferences, awareness and use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, nutritional status of young children, childhood mortality, maternal and child health, domestic violence against women, child discipline, awareness and behavior regarding AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other health-related issues such as smoking, tuberculosis, and anemia. The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from women of reproductive age and, for certain topics, from men as well.

The 2015-16 ADHS results are intended to provide information needed to evaluate existing social programs and to design new strategies to improve the health of and health services for the people of Armenia. Data are presented by region (marz) wherever sample size permits. The information collected in the 2015-16 ADHS will provide updated estimates of basic demographic and health indicators covered in the 2000, 2005, and 2010 surveys.

The long-term objective of the survey includes strengthening the technical capacity of major government institutions, including the NSS. The 2015-16 ADHS also provides comparable data for longterm trend analysis because the 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015-16 surveys were implemented by the same organization and used similar data collection procedures. It also adds to the international database of demographic and health–related information for research purposes.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

• Household
• Individual
• Children age 0-5
• Woman age 15-49
• Man age 15-49

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents), children age 0-4 years, women age 15-49 years and men age 15-49 years resident in the household.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample was designed to produce representative estimates of key indicators at the national level, for Yerevan, and for total urban and total rural areas separately. Many indicators can also be estimated at the regional (marz) level.

The sampling frame used for the 2015-16 ADHS is the Armenia Population and Housing Census, which was conducted in Armenia in 2011 (APHC 2011). The sampling frame is a complete list of enumeration areas (EAs) covering the whole country, a total number of 11,571 EAs, provided by the National Statistical Service (NSS) of Armenia, the implementing agency for the 2015-16 ADHS. This EA frame was created from the census data base by summarizing the households down to EA level. A representative probability sample of 8,749 households was selected for the 2015-16 ADHS sample. The sample was selected in two stages. In the first stage, 313 clusters (192 in urban areas and 121 in rural areas) were selected from a list of EAs in the sampling frame. In the second stage, a complete listing of households was carried out in each selected cluster. Households were then systematically selected for participation in the survey. Appendix A provides additional information on the sample design of the 2015-16 Armenia DHS. Because of the approximately equal sample size in each marz, the sample is not self-weighting at the national level, and weighting factors have been calculated, added to the data file, and applied so that results are representative at the national level.

For further details on sample design, see Appendix A of the final report.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Five questionnaires were used for the 2015-16 ADHS: the Household Questionnaire, the Woman’s Questionnaire, the Man’s Questionnaire, the Biomarker Questionnaire, and the Fieldworker Questionnaire. These questionnaires, based on The DHS Program’s standard Demographic and Health Survey questionnaires, were adapted to reflect the population and health issues relevant to Armenia. Input was solicited from various stakeholders representing government ministries and agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and international donors. After all questionnaires were finalized in English, they were translated into Armenian. They were pretested in September-October 2015.

Cleaning operations

The processing of the 2015-16 ADHS data began shortly after fieldwork commenced. All completed questionnaires were edited immediately by field editors while still in the field and checked by the supervisors before being dispatched to the data processing center at the NSS central office in Yerevan. These completed questionnaires were edited and entered by 15 data processing personnel specially trained for this task. All data were entered twice for 100 percent verification. Data were entered using the CSPro computer package. The concurrent processing of the data was an advantage because the senior ADHS technical staff were able to advise field teams of problems detected during the data entry. In particular, tables were generated to check various data quality parameters. Moreover, the double entry of data enabled easy comparison and identification of errors and inconsistencies. As a result, specific feedback was given to the teams to improve performance. The data entry and editing phase of the survey was completed in June 2016.

Response rate

A total of 8,749 households were selected in the sample, of which 8,205 were occupied at the time of the fieldwork. The main reason for the difference is that some of the dwelling units that were occupied during the household listing operation were either vacant or the household was away for an extended period at the time of interviewing. The number of occupied households successfully interviewed was 7,893, yielding a household response rate of 96 percent. The household response rate in urban areas (96 percent) was nearly the same as in rural areas (97 percent).

In these households, a total of 6,251 eligible women were identified; interviews were completed with 6,116 of these women, yielding a response rate of 98 percent. In one-half of the households, a total of 2,856 eligible men were identified, and interviews were completed with 2,755 of these men, yielding a response rate of 97 percent. Among men, response rates are slightly lower in urban areas (96 percent) than in rural areas (97 percent), whereas rates for women are the same in urban and in rural areas (98 percent).

The 2015-16 ADHS achieved a slightly higher response rate for households than the 2010 ADHS (NSS 2012). The increase is only notable for urban households (96 percent in 2015-16 compared with 94 percent in 2010). Response rates in all other categories are very close to what they were in 2010.

Sampling error estimates

SAS computer software were used to calculate sampling errors for the 2015-16 ADHS. The programs used the Taylor linearization method of variance estimation for means or proportions and the Jackknife repeated replication method for variance estimation of more complex statistics such as fertility and mortality rates.

A more detailed description of estimates of sampling errors are presented in Appendix B of the survey final report.

Data appraisal

Data Quality Tables - Household age distribution - Age distribution of eligible and interviewed women - Age distribution of eligible and interviewed men - Completeness of reporting - Births by calendar years - Reporting of age at death in days - Reporting of age at death in months - Nutritional status of children based on the NCHS/CDC/WHO International Reference Population - Vaccinations by background characteristics for children age 18-29 months

See details of the data quality tables in Appendix C of the survey final report.

Abstract

The World Bank team collaborated with UNICEF Armenia and jointly implemented four rounds of HFPS to assess household vulnerabilities and children welfare after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first wave (comprising surveys I & II) was conducted in July - December 2020, and the second wave in May - June 2021 (comprising surveys III & IV). These data will improve understating of the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic and restrictive measures on households and children and support the development of better response and recovery strategies for addressing COVID-19. The surveys included a sample of 4,556 households for Survey I, and 1,642 households with children for Survey II. The sample size is 2,026 for Survey III which includes modules on households with migrants, and it is 2,007 for Survey IV which contains modules focusing on households with children.

Geographic coverage

National coverage, representative at the national level and Yereban/Urban/Rural levels.

Analysis unit

Survey I: Household and adult over age of 18; Survey II: Household with children; Survey III: Household and adult over age of 18; households with migrants; Survey IV: Household and adult over age of 18; households with children

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

4,555 individuals were selected by Random Digit Dialing (RDD) for Survey I, out of which, 2,653 individuals were eligible for the follow-up interview in Survey II. Out of those eligible individuals, 1,648 from households with children younger than 18 years old were interviewed in Survey II.

Wave 2 (Surveys III & IV) is based on phone-interviews with application of Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) and random digit dialing (RDD). The sampling frame is representative of the national and rural/urban/Yerevan population. Around 2,000 valid interviews were concluded with response rates around 30% in each round.

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Telephone Interview [cati]

Research instrument

The COVID-19 Armenia High Frequency Survey of Households and Children 2020, Wave 1, comprises the following modules: Survey I 1. Household roster 2. Demographics and employment 3. Knowledge of COVID-19 and behavior 4. Vulnerability and food security 5. Wellbeing and coping mechanisms 6. Family dynamics and personal wellbeing 7. Knowledge of child rights organizations

Survey II 1. Demography 2. Child's health 3. Children under two years old 4. Children from two to six years old 5. Children from six to eighteen years old 6. Internet skills and safety 7. Concerns

The COVID-19 Armenia High Frequency Survey, Wave 2, Survey III, comprises the following modules: 1. Household roster 2. Demographics and employment 3. Employment dynamics 4. Migration 5. Assets and access to internet 6. Prevalence of COVID-19 7. Income 8. Digital Payments: Usage and readiness

The COVID-19 Armenia High Frequency Survey, Wave 2, Survey IV, comprises the following modules: 1. Household roster 2. Demographics and employment 3. Employment Dynamics 4. Assets and Access to Internet 5. Income 6. Vulnerability and Food Security 7. Wellbeing 8. COVID-19 9. Children

Response rate

Response rates were around 30%.

Abstract

This household survey -- conducted in 1996, 1998-1999, and yearly since 2001 -- is based on Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) surveys and is intended to assess the level of consumption-based poverty in Armenia. Sections generally include migration, housing conditions, education, agriculture, health, savings, loans, transfers, well-being, and social assistance but vary slightly over the years. A household interviewed represents people who usually live together, share the same housekeeping and have the same budget. it does not include the visitors. The Integrated Living Conditions Survey of households (ILCS) provides comprehensive information regarding the living conditions of the population of Armenia and quantitative evaluation of its main describing indicators. The results of ILCS are primarily used to estimate consumption-based poverty rates in the country, as well as to provide other valuable information on households' living conditions by other indicators (income, expenses, consumption of main food stuff, etc ).

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Household

Universe

Survey results are representative at the country, village/town/marz levels. The survey data have minimum representativeness on the level of marzes.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample frame for 2014 was designed in accordance with the database of addresses of all private households in the country developed on basis of the 2001 Population Census results, with the technical assistance of the World Bank. The method of systematic representative probability sampling was used to frame the sample. For the purpose of drawing the sample, the sample frame was divided into 32 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan City (currently, the administrative districts). According to this division, a two-tier sample was drawn stratified by regions and by Yerevan. All regions and Yerevan, as well as all urban and rural communities were included in the sample in accordance to the shares of their resident households within the total number of households in the country. In the first round, enumeration areas - that is primary sample units to be surveyed during the year - were selected. The ILCS 2014 sample included 30 enumeration areas in urban and 18 enumeration areas in rural communities per month. The households to be surveyed were selected in the second round. A total of 432 households were surveyed per month, of which 270 and 162 households from urban and rural communities, respectively. Every month 48 interviewers went on field work with a workload of 9 households per month. A total of 5,184 households were selected for 2014, of which 3,240 and 1,944 households from urban and rural communities, respectively.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire diary that comprises three main sections (X,Y,Z). The main questionnaire is approved by the State Council on Statistics of RA.

Abstract

The 2010 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (2010 ADHS) is the third in a series of nationally representative sample surveys designed to provide information on population and health issues. It is conducted in Armenia under the worldwide Demographic and Health Surveys program. Specifically, the 2010 ADHS has a primary objective of providing current and reliable information on fertility levels, marriage, sexual activity, fertility preferences, awareness and use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, nutritional status of young children, childhood mortality, maternal and child health, and awareness and behavior regarding AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from women of reproductive age and, for certain topics, from men as well.

The 2010 ADHS results are intended to provide information needed to evaluate existing social programs and to design new strategies to improve health of and health services for the people of Armenia. Data are presented by region (marz) wherever sample size permits. The information collected in the 2010 ADHS will provide updated estimates of basic demographic and health indicators covered in the 2000 and 2005 surveys.

The long-term objective of the survey includes strengthening the technical capacity of major government institutions, including the NSS. The 2010 ADHS also provides comparable data for longterm trend analysis in Armenia because the 2000, 2005, and 2010 surveys were implemented by the same organisation and used similar data collection procedures. It also adds to the international database of demographic and health–related information for research purposes.

The 2010 ADHS was conducted by the National Statistical Service (NSS) and the MOH of Armenia from October 5 through December 25, 2010.

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Sampling procedure

The sample was designed to permit detailed analysis-including the estimation of rates of fertility, infant/child mortality, and abortion-at the national level, for Yerevan, and for total urban and total rural areas separately. Many indicators can also be estimated at the regional (marz) level.

A representative probability sample of 7,580 households was selected for the 2010 ADHS sample. The sample was selected in two stages. In the first stage, 308 clusters were selected from a list of enumeration areas in a subsample of a master sample derived from the 2001 Population Census frame. In the second stage, a complete listing of households was carried out in each selected cluster. Households were then systematically selected for participation in the survey.

All women age 15-49 who were either permanent residents of the households in the 2010 ADHS sample or visitors present in the household on the night before the survey were eligible to be interviewed. Interviews were completed with 5,922 women. In addition, in a subsample of one-third of all of the households selected for the survey, all men age 15-49 were eligible to be interviewed if they were either permanent residents or visitors present in the household on the night before the survey. Interviews were completed with 1,584 men.

Appendix A of the Final Report provides additional information on the sample design of the 2010 Armenia DHS.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Three questionnaires were used in the ADHS: a Household Questionnaire, a Woman’s Questionnaire, and a Man’s Questionnaire. The Household Questionnaire and the individual questionnaires were based on model survey instruments developed in the MEASURE DHS program and questionnaires used in the previous 2005 ADHS. The model questionnaires were adapted for use by NSS and MOH. Suggestions were also sought from a number of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The questionnaires were developed in English and translated into Armenian. They were pretested in July 2010.

The Household Questionnaire was used to list all usual members of and visitors to the selected households and to collect information on the socioeconomic status of the household. The first part of the Household Questionnaire collected for each household member or visitor information on their age, sex, educational attainment, and relationship to the head of household. This information provided basic demographic data for Armenian households. It also was used to identify the women and men who were eligible for an individual interview (i.e., women and men age 15-49). In the second part of the Household Questionnaire, there were questions on housing characteristics (e.g., the flooring material, the source of water, and the type of toilet facilities), on ownership of a variety of consumer goods, and on other aspects of the socioeconomic status of the household. In addition, the Household Questionnaire was used to obtain information on each child’s birth registration, ask questions about child discipline and child labor, and record height and weight measurements of children under age 5.

The Woman’s Questionnaire obtained information from women age 15-49 on the following topics: - Background characteristics - Pregnancy history - Antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care - Knowledge, attitudes, and use of contraception - Reproductive and adult health - Childhood mortality - Health and health care utilization - Vaccinations of children under age 5 - Episodes of diarrhea and respiratory illness of children under age 5 - Breastfeeding and weaning practices - Marriage and recent sexual activity - Fertility preferences - Knowledge of and attitudes toward AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases - Woman’s work and husband’s background characteristics

The Man’s Questionnaire, administered to men age 15-49, focused on the following topics: - Background characteristics - Health and health care utilization - Marriage and recent sexual activity - Attitudes toward and use of condoms - Knowledge of and attitudes toward AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases - Attitudes toward women’s status

Cleaning operations

Data Processing

The processing of the ADHS results began shortly after fieldwork commenced. Completed questionnaires were returned regularly from the field to NSS headquarters in Yerevan, where they were entered and edited by data processing personnel who were specially trained for this task. The data processing personnel included a supervisor, a questionnaire administrator (who ensured that the expected number of questionnaires from all clusters was received), several office editors, 12 data entry operators, and a secondary editor. The concurrent processing of the data was an advantage because the senior DHS technical staff were able to advise field teams of problems detected during the data entry. In particular, tables were generated to check various data quality parameters. As a result, specific feedback was given to the teams to improve performance. The data entry and editing phase of the survey was completed in March 2011.

Response rate

A total of 7,580 households were selected in the sample, of which 7,043 were occupied at the time of the fieldwork. The main reason for the difference is that some of the dwelling units that were occupied during the household listing operation were either vacant or the household was away for an extended period at the time of interviewing. The number of occupied households successfully interviewed was 6,700, yielding a household response rate of 95 percent. The household response rate in urban areas (94 percent) was slightly lower than in rural areas (97 percent).

In these households, a total of 6,059 eligible women were identified; interviews were completed with 5,922 of these women, yielding a response rate of 98 percent. In one-third of the households, a total of 1,641 eligible men were identified, and interviews were completed with 1,584 of these men, yielding a response rate of 97 percent. Response rates are slightly lower in urban areas (97 percent for women and 96 percent for men) than in rural areas where rates were 99 and 97 percent, respectively.

Sampling error estimates

Detailed information on sampling errors is provided in Appendix B of the Final Report.

Abstract

The ILCS-s are implemented in Armenia by the World Bank methodology, its direct assistance and comprehensive support. The ILCS was introduced in Armenia in 1996 and it has been conducted on yearly basis since 2001. These surveys allocated households and settlements with a monthly rotation. The survey results serve primarily to assess the level of consumption-based poverty in the country.

This household survey -- conducted in 1996, 1998-1999, and yearly since 2001 -- is based on Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) surveys and is intended to assess the level of consumption-based poverty in Armenia. Sections generally include migration, housing conditions, education, agriculture, health, savings, loans, transfers, well-being, and social assistance but vary slightly over the years.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Household

Universe

Survey results are representative at the country, village/town/marz levels. The survey data have minimum representativeness on the level of marzes.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample frame for 2014 was designed in accordance with the database of addresses of all private households in the country developed on basis of the 2001 Population Census results, with the technical assistance of the World Bank. The method of systematic representative probability sampling was used to frame the sample. For the purpose of drawing the sample, the sample frame was divided into 32 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan City (currently, the administrative districts). According to this division, a two-tier sample was drawn stratified by regions and by Yerevan. All regions and Yerevan, as well as all urban and rural communities were included in the sample in accordance to the shares of their resident households within the total number of households in the country. In the first round, enumeration areas - that is primary sample units to be surveyed during the year - were selected. The ILCS 2014 sample included 30 enumeration areas in urban and 18 enumeration areas in rural communities per month. The households to be surveyed were selected in the second round. A total of 432 households were surveyed per month, of which 270 and 162 households from urban and rural communities, respectively. Every month 48 interviewers went on field work with a workload of 9 households per month. A total of 5,184 households were selected for 2014, of which 3,240 and 1,944 households from urban and rural communities, respectively.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire diary that comprises three main sections (X,Y,Z). The main questionnaire is approved by the State Council on Statistics of RA.

Abstract

The Integrated Survey of Living Standards (ISLS), renamed in 2004 to Integrated Survey of Living Conditions Survey (ILCS) is conducted annually by the NSS National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia, formed the basis for monitoring living conditions in Armenia. The ILCS is a universally recognized best-practice survey for collecting data to inform about the living standards of households. The ILCS comprises comprehensive and valuable data on the welfare of households and separate individuals which gives the NSS an opportunity to provide the public with up to date information on the population’s income, expenditures, the level of poverty and the other changes in living standards on an annual basis.

Geographic coverage

Urban and rural communities

Analysis unit

• Households;
• Individuals.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

During the 2001-2003 surveys two-stage random sample was used; the first stage covered the selection of settlements - cities and villages, while the second stage was focused on the selection of households in these settlements. The surveys were conducted on the principle of monthly rotation of households by clusters (sample units). In 2002 and 2003 the number of households was 387 with the sample covering 14 cities and 30 villages in 2002 and 17 cities and 20 villages in 2003.

During the 2004-2006 surveys the sampling frame for the ILCS was built using the database of addresses for the 2001 Population Census; the database was developed with the World Bank technical assistance. The database of addresses of all households in Armenia was divided into 48 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan city. The households from other regions (marzes) were grouped according to the following three categories: big towns with 15,000 and more population; villages, and other towns. Big towns formed 16 strata (the only exception was the Vayots Dzor marz where there are no big towns). The villages and other towns formed 10 strata each. According to this division, a random, two-step sample stratified at marz level was developed. All marzes, as well as all urban and rural settlements were included in the sample population according to the share of population residing in those settlements as percent to the total population in the country. In the first step, the settlements, i.e. primary sample units, were selected: 43 towns out of 48 or 90 percent of all towns in Armenia were surveyed during the year; also 216 villages out of 951 or 23 percent of all villages in the country were covered by the survey. In the second step, the respondent households were selected: 6,816 households (5,088 from urban and 1,728 from rural settlements). As a result, for the first time since 1996 survey data were representative at the marz level.

During the 2007-2012 surveys the sampling frame for ILCS was designed according to the database of addresses for the 2001 Population Census, which was developed with the World Bank technical assistance. The sample consisted of two parts: core sample and oversample.

1) For the creation of core sample, the sample frame (database of addresses of all households in Armenia) was divided into 48 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan city. The households from other regions (marzes) were grouped according to three categories: large towns (with population of 15000 and higher), villages and other towns. Large towns formed by 16 groups (strata), while the villages and towns formed by 10 strata each. According to that division, a random, two-step sample stratified at the marz level was developed. All marzes, as well as all urban and rural settlements were included in the sample population according to the share of households residing in those settlements as percent to the total households in the country. In the first step, using the PPS method the enumeration units (i.e., primary sample units to be surveyed during the year) were selected. 2007 sample includes 48 urban and 18 rural enumeration areas per month. 2) The oversample was drawn from the list of villages included in MCA-Armenia Rural Roads Rehabilitation Project. The enumeration areas of villages that were already in the core sample were excluded from that list. From the remaining enumeration areas 18 enumeration areas were selected per month. Thus, the rural sample size was doubled. 3) After merging the core sample and oversample, the survey households were selected in the second step. 656 households were surveyed per month, from which 368 from urban and 288 from rural settlements. Each month 82 interviewers had conducted field work, and their workload included 8 households per month. In 2007 number of surveyed households was 7,872 (4,416 from urban and 3,456 from rural areas).

For the survey 2013 the sample frame for ILCS was designed in accordance with the database of addresses of all private households in the country developed on basis of the 2001 Population Census results, with the technical assistance of the World Bank. The method of systematic representative probability sampling was used to frame the sample. For the purpose of drawing the sample, the sample frame was divided into 32 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan City (currently, the administrative districts). According to this division, a two-tier sample was drawn stratified by regions and by Yerevan. All regions and Yerevan, as well as all urban and rural communities were included in the sample in accordance to the shares of their resident households within the total number of households in the country. In the first round, enumeration areas - that is primary sample units to be surveyed during the year - were selected. The ILCS 2013 sample included 32 enumeration areas in urban and 16 enumeration areas in rural communities per month. The households to be surveyed were selected in the second round. A total of 432 households were surveyed per month, of which 279 and 153 households from urban and rural communities, respectively. Every month 48 interviewers went on field work with a workload of 9 households per month.

The sample frame for 2014-2016 was designed in accordance with the database of addresses of all private households in the country developed on basis of the 2011 Population Census results, with the technical assistance of the World Bank. The method of systematic representative probability sampling was used to frame the sample.
For drawing the sample, the sample frame was divided into 32 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan City (currently, the administrative districts). According to this division, a two-tier sample was drawn stratified by regions and by Yerevan. All regions and Yerevan, as well as all urban and rural communities were included in the sample in accordance to the shares of their resident households within the total number of households in the country. In the first round, enumeration areas - that is primary sample units to be surveyed during the year - were selected. The ILCS 2014 sample included 30 enumeration areas in urban and 18 enumeration areas in rural communities per month. The method of representative probability sampling was used to frame the sample. At regional level, all communities were grouped into two categories - towns and villages. According to this division, a two-tier sample was drawn stratified by regions and by Yerevan. All regions and Yerevan, as well as all rural and urban communities were included in the sample in accordance to the shares of their resident households within the total number of households in the country. In the first round, enumeration districts - that is primary sample units to be surveyed during the year - were selected. The ILCS 2015 sample included 30 enumeration districts in urban and 18 enumeration districts in rural communities per month.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The Questionnaire is filled in by the interviewer during the least five visits to households per month. During face-to-face interviews with the household head or another knowledgeable adult member, the interviewer collects information on the composition and housing conditions of the household, the employment status, educational level and health condition of the members, availability and use of land, livestock, and agricultural machinery, monetary and commodity flows between households, and other information.

The 2002 survey questionnaire had the following sections: (1) "List of Household Members", (2) "Housing Facilities", (3) "Migration", (4) "Education", (5) "Agriculture", (6) "Monetary and Commodity Flows between Households", (7) "Health (General) and Healthcare", (8) "Savings and Debts", (9) "Social Assistance".

The Diary is completed directly by the household for one month. Every day the household would record all its expenditures on food, non-food products and services, also giving a detailed description of such purchases; e.g. for food products the name, quantity, cost, and place of purchase of the product is recorded. Besides, the household records its consumption of food products received and used from its own land and livestock, as well as from other sources (e.g. gifts, humanitarian aid). Non-food products and services purchased or received for free are also recorded in the diary. Then, the household records its income received during the month. At the end of the month, information on rarely used food products, durable goods and ceremonies is recorded, as well. The records in the diary are verified by the interviewer in the course of 5 mandatory visits to the household during the survey month.

The Survey Diary has the following sections: (1) food purchased during the day, (2) food consumed at home

Abstract

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a statistical study of the households selected by the appropriate method. The objective of the survey is providing information on not only well-known employment and unemployment as well as providing comprehensive information on other standard indicators characterizing the country labour market.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Households
• Individuals

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

A two stage stratified sample by regions (marzes) has been designed to conduct the survey. The method of systematic probability sampling was used to frame the sample. Yerevan and all marzes with rural and urban settlements were covered by sample population with proportion of all HH available in these strata.

Based on the administrative and territorial division of RA at the first stage of sampling, the preliminary sampling units, i.e. enumeration areas were selected. 2001 Armenian Population Census results were used to calculate the mentioned proportions for 2014 LFS and 2011 Census results for 2015 LFS.

At the second stage of sampling the primary sampling units, that are HHs to be surveyed, were randomly selected. As a result, during the 2014 year have been surveyed 7680 HHs, of which 5 160 urban and 2520 rural areas. During the 2015 have been surveyed 7788 HHs, of which 4 752 urban and 3 036 rural areas.

At the same time a reserve sample was selected by the same steps, because it was anticipated that in most cases the questionnaire may not be completed due to household's refusal to participate in the survey, absence from the republic or other reasons. As a result, the HHs not participated in the survey were replaced from the reserve sample. The selection of households (HH) has been done monthly by the rotation principle.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The design of the questionnaire, used concepts, set of indicators and calculation methodology, sampling method basically comply with the definitions and concepts recommended by the ILO and Eurostat, while taking into account the peculiarities of their application in Armenia to the extent possible, at the same time, by providing the comparability with the international similar indicators.

Abstract

The Integrated Living Conditions Survey (ILCS) was introduced in Armenia in 1996 and has been carried out annually since 2001 by the National Statistical Service. ILCS is conducted during the year with monthly rotation of households and settlements. The survey results serve primarily to assess the level of consumption-based poverty in Armenia.

In 2003 National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia took important steps to improve the Integrated Leaving Conditions Survey and bring the poverty measurement methodology up to date. With technical assistance from the World Bank provided through a series of consultations and hands-on training over the period September 2003 - November 2005, the following changes were made: - the sample frame was updated using the 2001 Population Census data; - the sample size was expanded, so as to make the ILSC representative at the regional (marz) level; - the ILSC questionnaire was revised to account for economic and social changes since 1998-1999 and an extensive labor module was added to the survey; - the staff involved in ILCS implementation was better trained.

The 2006 survey covered 29 urban and 112 rural areas with the sample size of 5,184 households.

Geographic coverage

Urban and rural communities

Analysis unit

• Households;
• Individuals.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sampling frame was designed according to the database of addresses for the 2001 Population Census, which was developed with the World Bank technical assistance. The database of addresses of all households in Armenia was divided into 32 strata including 12 communities of Yerevan city. The households from other regions (marzes) were grouped according to two categories: towns and villages. The villages and towns formed by 10 strata.

According to that division, a random, two-step sample stratified at the marz level was developed. All marzes, as well as all urban and rural settlements were included in the sample population according to the share of households residing in those settlements as percent to the total households in the country. In the first step, using the PPS method the enumeration units (i.e., primary sample units to be surveyed during the year) were selected.

2006 sample included 29 towns out of 48 (59% of all towns in Armenia were surveyed during the year) and 112 villages out of 950 (12% of all villages). In the second step, the respondent households were selected. The number of surveyed households was 5,184 (3,672 from urban and 1,512 from rural settlements). The sample was stratified according to the share of each PSU in the total population. Since 2004, the survey data has been representative at the marz level.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

To conduct the survey the following tools were developed: a questionnaire, a diary and an interviewers' manual.

The questionnaire is completed by an interviewer who visites a surveyed household minimum five times within a month. During face-to-face interviews with the head of the household or another adult member, the interviewer collected information on the composition and housing conditions of the household, level of education and health status of household members, their employment status, land ownership, availability and utilization of cattle and agricultural equipment, money and goods flow between households, and other information. The list of sections included in the questionnaire has been modified. Sections on "Occupation and Self Employment", "Social Capital" and "Services Used" were taken out of the questionnaire in 2005, while new section on "Activities of households for own use" was added. Section on "Health (general) and Healthcare" was completely modified. Few modifications were applied to sections on "Migration" and "Transfers between households". The 2006 survey questionnaire has the following sections: (1) Household roster, (2) Migration, (3) Housing conditions, (4) Education, (5) Agriculture, (6) Transfers between households, (7) Health (general) and healthcare, (8) Savings and loans, (9) Self assessment of wellbeing, (10) Social assistance, and (11) Activities of households for own use.

The diary is completed by the household during the month. Every day the households recorded all their expenses on food, non-food products and services with detailed description of what they bought, such as the name of the product, its quantity, cost and the place of purchase. In addition, the households recorded the consumption of products, which were received and utilized from their own or other farms as well as products which were received from other households. Households recorded also what income they receive during the month. At the end of the month, the information on rarely used food products, durable goods and ritual (funeral, wedding and etc.) services was recorded as well. The records in the dairy were verified by the interviewer. The survey diary has the following sections: (1) Food products purchased during the day; (2) Food consumed at home during the day; (3) Expenditures on food consumed outside; (4) Non food products purchased and services received; (5) All other non food products and services received free of charge; (6) Household income and revenues; (7) List of real estate, durable goods and ritual services.

The Interviewers' Manual provides detailed instructions for filling out the questionnaire and the diary.

Response rate

The average national refusal rate was 6.9%. The refusal rates, defined as the number of refusals divided by the total number of addresses used, differed significantly by marzes. The highest refusal rate was in Yerevan (14.1%), while in Tavoush and Vayots Dzor marzes no refusals were recorded. The overall refusal rate has decreased by 34% compared to 2004 and by 16% compared to 2005. Refuses were lower across all marzes, except for Aragatsotn and Ararat regions.

Abstract

The World Values Survey (www.worldvaluessurvey.org) is a global network of social scientists studying changing values and their impact on social and political life, led by an international team of scholars, with the WVS association and secretariat headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

The survey, which started in 1981, seeks to use the most rigorous, high-quality research designs in each country. The WVS consists of nationally representative surveys conducted in almost 100 countries which contain almost 90 percent of the world’s population, using a common questionnaire. The WVS is the largest non-commercial, cross-national, time series investigation of human beliefs and values ever executed, currently including interviews with almost 400,000 respondents. Moreover the WVS is the only academic study covering the full range of global variations, from very poor to very rich countries, in all of the world’s major cultural zones.

The WVS seeks to help scientists and policy makers understand changes in the beliefs, values and motivations of people throughout the world. Thousands of political scientists, sociologists, social psychologists, anthropologists and economists have used these data to analyze such topics as economic development, democratization, religion, gender equality, social capital, and subjective well-being. These data have also been widely used by government officials, journalists and students, and groups at the World Bank have analyzed the linkages between cultural factors and economic development.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Household Individual

Universe

National Population, Both sexes,18 and more years.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Sample size: 1100.

A complete list of Armenian Households provided by the“Electricity Networks of Armenia” company was used as a sampling frame. It contains all households/electricity users in Armenia having paid for electricity for the period of December 2010 - February 2011. The stratification was carried out at two levels: (a) regional (Yerevan and 10 regions/marzes) and, (b) in each stratum the second level of stratification by urban/ rural criterion (sub-strata). In Yerevan (capital) the 7 districts were considered as sub-strata. Proportionate stratification (PPS) was applied at the two levels of stratification. The selection of primary sampling units (PSUs) – clusters (city blocks) was carried out in each stratum at first. The equal sized clusters of households were selected in each stratum using SRS. At the second stage the secondary sampling units (SSUs), i.e. households were selected in each already selected cluster, using the SRS method. In each selected PSU 20 SSUs were selected. In each selected household (SSU) the respondent: the final sampling unit (FSU) was selected using the recent birthday method.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

For each wave, suggestions for questions are solicited by social scientists from all over the world and a final master questionnaire is developed in English. Since the start in 1981 each successive wave has covered a broader range of societies than the previous one. Analysis of the data from each wave has indicated that certain questions tapped interesting and important concepts while others were of little value. This has led to the more useful questions or themes being replicated in future waves while the less useful ones have been dropped making room for new questions.

The questionnaire is translated into the various national languages and in many cases independently translated back to English to check the accuracy of the translation. In most countries, the translated questionnaire is pre-tested to help identify questions for which the translation is problematic. In some cases certain problematic questions are omitted from the national questionnaire.

WVS requires implementation of the common questionnaire fully and faithfully, in all countries included into one wave. Any alteration to the original questionnaire has to be approved by the EC. Omission of no more than a maximum of 12 questions in any given country can be allowed.

The order of the questions strictly followed the master questionnaire. Thus, there were added 2 more questions – V125A, V215A.

Sampling error estimates

Estimated error: 3.0

Abstract

The Integrated Living Conditions Survey (ILCS) was introduced in Armenia in 1996, then was carried out in 1998-1999. Since 2001 it has been implemented annually by the National Statistical Service, with the technical assistance from the World Bank. ILCS has been conducted during the year with monthly rotation of households and settlements. The survey results serve primarily to assess the level of consumption-based poverty in Armenia. The 1998 ILCS was administered between July 1, 1998 and June 30, 1999, with the sample of 3,600 households.

Geographic coverage

Urban and rural communities

Analysis unit

• Households;
• Individuals.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

During the first stage of sampling, 180 clusters were selected on the basis of the fixed range ("step") from the general population. A cluster is the primary territorial unit of the sample. 20 households were surveyed in each cluster. In rural areas and in 23 small cities the cluster covered the whole village or city. Two clusters were selected in five cities, three clusters in 2 cities, 11 in Gyumri, 6 in Vanadzor and 53 in Yerevan. Territories of operating ZHEKs and private sectors served as clusters in Gyumri, Vanadzor and Yerevan cities. By the second phase of the sampling, 20 households were selected at random from the list of households in each cluster.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

To collect characteristics of the living standards of households, the questionnaire and diary were applied in the integrated survey. The questionnaire was composed of nine sections: 1. household characteristics 2. housing conditions 3. migration 4. education 5. farming 6. monetary and in-kind flows between households 7. health 8. savings and debts 9. social assistance.

To estimate the main poverty indicators (such as incomes, expenses, and consumption of households), the integrated survey used the diary of daily expenditures. The main sections of the diary were: 1. purchase of foods and drinks for per capita consumption, 2. consumption of foods at home, 3. consumption of foods outside of home, 4. purchase of goods and receipt of services, 5. household incomes, 6. purchase of durable goods during 12 months, and 7. consumption of food over a year (including purchased, prepared, and household cultivated food).