Azerbaijan Population

Azerbaijan’s population is highly educated with claims of over 90% literacy. As of 1990, over 56% of the population had completed secondary school and almost 13% had completed post-secondary school or university. In Azerbaijan, there are 4,300 primary and secondary schools, 78 technical colleges, and 44 institutions of higher education, including 16 private universities. Baku State University has 15,000 students. Khazar University has 1,000 students, as does Western University, both private institutions with English‑language programs. The Academy of Sciences has 30 research institutes employing 4,200 researchers. Commerce and IndustryLast Updated:  11/25/2003 2:21 PM  ... [Read More]

U.S. Assistance to Azerbaijan – Fiscal Year 2002

U.S. economic reform programs focus on accelerating growth and development of private, small and medium enterprises in agriculture and other targeted areas, with emphasis particularly on the non-oil sector to boost balanced growth for the broader population. The U.S. will continue to support American companies through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Trade Development Authority (TDA), and Export Import Bank. Due to the waiver of Section 907, the U.S. Treasury Department is considering providing advisors to the government for debt and budget. TDA has agreed to provide a World Trade Organization advisor. The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to provide $10 million in export credit guarantees. ... [Read More]

Azerbaijan (10/04)

Since 1992, the United States has disbursed more than $140 million in humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced people, refugee, and war-affected populations of Azerbaijan. U.S. assistance is provided principally through private voluntary organizations. The primary private voluntary organizations now implementing and coordinating U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded assistance programs are Mercy Corps International, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, International Rescue Committee, Save the Children, and the Community Housing Foundation. Likewise, Shore Bank LTD and the Foundation for International Community Assistance provide small- and medium-scale loans to the internally displaced people, refugee, and war-affected populations to increase their economic viability. USAID; the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration; and the Office of the Coordinator for U.S. Assistance to Europe ... [Read More]

Azerbaijan

During the year, a total of three POWs were released, one from Azerbaijan and two from Armenia.The law prohibits forced exile, and the Government did not employ it. e. Denial of a Fair and Public Trial The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary; however, in practice, judges did not function independently of the executive branch, and the judiciary was widely believed to be corrupt and inefficient. Judges preside over and direct trials. The President appoints Supreme and Constitutional Court judges, whom Parliament confirms. The President appoints lower-level judges without confirmation. Qualifying exams for judges were administered periodically as part of a judicial reform effort; however, credible allegations persisted that judgeships were bought and sold. Low salaries for judges and lawyers increased the incentives for bribe taking and ... [Read More]

Azerbaijan

The Government continued to affirm its commitment to development of a market economy, but economic reform continued to be slow. According to official figures, the population was approximately 8 million, but an estimated 2 million of this number lived and worked outside the country. Widespread corruption and patronage reduced competition, and the slow pace of reform limited economic development outside the oil and gas sector, which accounted for more than 90 percent of the country's export revenues. Despite the privatization of 98 percent of the country's farmland, commercial agriculture remained weak, and subsistence farming dominated the rural economy. Foreign aid was an important source of national income. A growing moneyed class has emerged in Baku, and poverty nationwide has decreased, but 49 percent of the population still lived below the poverty level. ... [Read More]

Azerbaijan

The country has a total population of approximately 8 million. The Government continues to affirm its commitment to development of a market economy, but widespread corruption and patronage reduce competition, and the absence of essential reforms has limited economic development outside the oil and gas sector, which accounts for over 90 percent of the country's export revenues. Approximately 98 percent of the country's farmland is privatized, but commercial agriculture remains weak, and subsistence farming dominates the rural economy. Foreign aid is an important source of national income. Per capita gross domestic product (GDP) is approximately $600 per year. Official statistics indicated that private sector output contributes a majority to the country's annual GDP. Much of the labor force is employed in the state sector where wages are low. The overall economic situation of the average citizen remains tenuous; although a growing moneyed class has emerged in Baku, over 60 percent of the ... [Read More]

Azerbaijan

There was slight improvement in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report. While some religious groups reported delays in and denials of registration, several churches have indicated that they either received or expect to receive their registration, they are able to import religious literature, and they meet without government interference. However, local authorities occasionally monitor religious services, and officials at times harassed nontraditional religious groups. The generally amicable relationship among religions in society contributed to religious freedom; however, there is popular prejudice against Muslims who convert to non-Muslim faiths and hostility towards groups that proselytize, particularly Evangelical Christian and missionary groups. The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government i ... [Read More]

Azerbaijan

The disruption of economic links with the rest of the former Soviet Union continues to affect employment in many industries. Idle factory workers typically receive less than half of their former wage. Under these conditions, many workers rely on the safety net of the extended family. More workers and unemployed persons turn to second jobs and makeshift employment in the informal sector, such as operating the family car as a taxi, selling produce from private gardens, or operating small roadside shops. Until the Russian financial crisis many persons (estimates range from between 1 to 2 million) supported themselves on remittances from relatives working in Russia, primarily as street traders. This source of support was reduced severely during 1999 and has not rebounded, although reliable statistics as to the precise amounts involved are not available. Combinations of these and other strategies are the only way for broad sectors of the urban population to reach a subsistence income level. ... [Read More]

FY 2005 NGO Guidelines for South Caucasus Programs

Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration ... [Read More]

Azerbaijan

According to official figures, the country has a total area of 33,774 square miles, and its population is approximately 8 million. There are no reliable statistics on membership in various faiths; however, according to official figures, approximately 96 percent of the population is Muslim. The rest of the population adheres to other faiths or consists of nonbelievers. Among the Muslim majority, religious observance is relatively low and Muslim identity tends to be based more on culture and ethnicity rather than religion; however, imams reported increased attendance at mosques during 2003. The Muslim population is approximately 70 percent Shi'a and 30 percent Sunni; differences traditionally have not been defined sharply. ... [Read More]