On August 26, Armen Khachikyan, Director of the “ARAR” Civilizational Research Foundation, presented the results of a sociological research conducted on a number of public and political issues. The survey was carried out between July 17 and August 5.
Satisfaction with Institutions
According to the survey results, the institutions enjoying the highest level of public satisfaction are the Armed Forces of Armenia and the Armenian Apostolic Church, with 61.7% and 59.7% respectively. Public trust in the Police stands at 49.0%, in the Government at 27.8%, and in the National Assembly at 18.5%.
It is noteworthy that the Armenian Apostolic Church is most trusted by respondents aged 18–34, with 76.1% expressing high trust, while 60.9% of urban residents also show high trust toward the Church.
As for the Government, 49.1% of Yerevan residents expressed dissatisfaction with its work, along with 63.6% of respondents with low social security.
Trust in the Police is highest among rural residents (63.1%), while 30.7% of Yerevan residents expressed dissatisfaction with the police force.
The Armed Forces enjoy the greatest trust among the 18–34 age group, with 78.8% expressing high trust.
The highest dissatisfaction with the work of the National Assembly was recorded among Yerevan residents—66%.
Public and Political Issues
According to 60.3% of respondents, the authorities of Armenia are pursuing the wrong domestic policy, while 54.3% believe they are pursuing the wrong foreign policy.
Dissatisfaction with foreign policy is reported by 57.6% of those aged 18–34, 55.4% of those aged 35–54, and 50.7% of respondents aged 55 and older. In other words, the younger the respondent, the higher the dissatisfaction. Additionally, 61.1% of Yerevan residents expressed dissatisfaction with foreign policy.
Regarding domestic policy, 61.7% of 18–34 year-olds are dissatisfied, along with 67.5% of Yerevan residents.
The survey also addressed the question of achieving long-term peace with Azerbaijan through negotiations. According to 72.9% of respondents, such peace is not possible, while 26% believe it is. The probability of peace is considered more realistic by those aged 55 and older (30.4%), respondents with high social security (41.5%), and those who view the government’s policies as correct (43.1%).
A total of 64.9% of respondents disagreed with the idea that, in the case of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, the Zangezur/Syunik road should be monitored by international peacekeepers, while 33.7% agreed. Asked whether a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan would bring genuine peace, 73.9% responded negatively, while 24.9% believed it would.
According to the survey, 53.1% of respondents would join a call for unity issued by the Armenian Apostolic Church, despite criticism of the institution, while 45.4% would not. The majority of those willing to join are aged 18–34 (55.3%), which is a significant observation.
The survey also touched upon the frequently discussed issue of the withdrawal of the Russian military base. A total of 57.7% of respondents expressed a negative attitude toward its withdrawal, while 38.4% had a positive attitude.
Another issue included in the survey was the potential return of former authorities. A large majority (79.5%) expressed a negative attitude toward such a return, 17.6% had a positive view, and 2.4% were neutral. Notably, 27.7% of respondents aged 18–34 expressed a positive view on this matter, while only 7.9% of those aged 55 and older did so.
According to the survey, 90.7% of respondents agree that the loss of Artsakh is temporary: Armenia must strengthen its army, defend its homeland, and reclaim what was lost.
Foreign Relations
Respondents were also asked about Armenia’s military and allied relations with other states. Of them, 33% said Armenia should form military-allied relations with Russia, 22.2% with Iran, 21.9% with European Union countries (France, Germany, and others), 12.9% with the United States, and 5.1% with India. Military cooperation with Russia is especially valued by rural residents (38.3%) and those with low social security (41.8%). It should be noted that the share of those supporting military cooperation with Russia has been steadily growing over the past four surveys.
Key Issues for Armenia
At the end of the survey, respondents were asked about several important issues facing Armenia. According to 95.1%, the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide is of high importance; 92.6% said the provision of free education and healthcare; 88.6% highlighted the preservation of national and spiritual values; and 72.9% stressed the need to uncover past injustices.
The presentation sparked active discussion of the results, along with proposals for future research.
You can download the research findings here.