The Number Of Population Of Azerbaijan

The first written information about the population of Azerbaijan starts from the date of creation of writing. Such data is met in Sumerian-Acadian, and later in Assyrian and Urartu writings. A lot of work is done in collection, reading, interpretation and publication of those writings.

At present, the study of the population in the scientific literature is not fully clear. It shows self when the history of the study population is not included in the system of knowledge in some researches.

Yet for the first time, taking into account the experience of the previous period at time of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic the national clerical system was established. In the report of employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic A.Shoptyev detailed information on the population location, about the ethnic composition was provided. Also detailed information about Armenian genocide in report of Extraordinary Investigation Committee was provided.

In the USSR a number of state agencies were engaged in study of population.  

Statistical authorities of Azerbaijan have started to form since 1920. The structure had made lot of works in the population statistics, etc. areas. In addition, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (established in 1920), Ministry of Education (founded in 1920) had carried out studies in the field of labor policy, employment policy and demography, migration, social welfare, education, etc. and the population census was taken at the same time .

At present, population statistics in Azerbaijan, information about the location, gender composition is prepared by the State Statistics Committee.

According to the Committee, 1.806.7 million people lived in 1897 in Azerbaijan. During this period, the number of people living in rural areas had a majority. Approximately 83 percent of the population lived in rural areas. This dynamic began to change rapidly in subsequent periods. For example, in 1913the number of population reached 2.339.2 million and the urban population reached 23 percent.

In census carried out in 1917 by the Russian government it is known that the number of population was 2.353.7. From it 560.2 thousand people lived in the cities, while those living in rural areas were 1.793.5 thousand people.

Census carried out 3 years after it by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1920, shows that the population was 1.952.2 million people. Interesting point is that, since 1917 the number of population in Azerbaijan had decreased by approximately 300 thousand people. Of course, the Second World War, the confrontation in the Caucasus, the massacres committed by the Armenian dashnaks in Garabagh, Baku, Guba, Goychay and other regions of the country caused a reduction in the number of people.

During this period, a decrease in the number of urban population draws attention.

After occupation of Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan by the Bolsheviks the population census was carried out on a regular basis. During the Second World War there was a 20-year break only. Thus, in census of 1926 the number of population reached 2.313.7 million. This means a restoration of a level of 1913 approximately after 13 years. In studies carried out in 1926 the number of people living in the city had increased significantly. For the first time the number of people living in the city reached 29 percent.

The next census was conducted 13 years later, in 1939. During this period of Soviet rule, despite of the total repressions, mass exiles the population increased approximately for 900 thousand people. During the period of collectivization approximately 230 thousands Azerbaijanis were killed or have been exiled from the country.

Population census, study of the problems of the population was delayed for 20 years due to beginning of the Second World War. Therefore, the next census held in 1959. During this period, the number of the total population of Azerbaijan has increased just for 400 thousand people. The main reason of that were the numerous losses during the Second World War. About half of the 650 thousand Azerbaijanis went to the front was killed in battles.

20-year period is characterized by increase of the number of urban population and by the expansion pf urbanization process.  47% of the population lived in urban areas in 1959.

Since 1970 the period is characterized as a period of stability. At that time the population was 5.117.1 million people. The growth ratio of urban and rural population still continued with the previous dynamics. This year for the first time the number of people living in the city crossed 50 percent. 

According to the 1979 census, the population was more than 6 million. Effect of continuous urbanization process has shown itself in this decade. The number of people living in rural areas dropped to 46 per cent.

Since 1980, the state agencies collect statistical data annually. The data presented in the last 30 on annual basis shows suspension of the process of urbanization. The population movement for three-decade process is expressed with a slight difference.

6114.3 million lived in Azerbaijan in 1980, 6,202 millions in 1981, 6,303 millions in 1982, 6,403 millions in 1983, 6,513 millions in 1984, 6,622 millions in 1985. It is seen from 5-year statistics that the population is increased by 100 thousand people each year. The urbanization process has remained stable during this period. The number of people living in villages and towns has changed little.

In 1990, Azerbaijan had a population of 7,131 million people. The number of Azerbaijanis has increased by approximately 500 thousand people in 5 years. Annual growth rate changed between 1.2-1.7%.

No serious change occurred in dynamics of the growth between the years 1990-1995. The number of people living in the country increased for 500 thousand people. Annual growth rate remained stable, as in the previous five years.

The number of population in 2000 was about 8 million people. In subsequent years, the noteworthy point was that despite of growth of the population the growth rate declined. For example, in 2001- 77 thousand, in 2002 - 77.8 thousand and in 2003 - 79.8 thousand people were increased.

The growth in the years since 2003 increased relatively. 8349 thousand persons were registered in 2004 in Azerbaijan. In 2005, compared with last year the number of the population has increased by 105 thousand people. This trend continued until 2010 with slight differences. In 2006 the number of population reached 8,553 million in the country, in 2007 - 8,665, in 2008 - 8,779, in 2009 - 8,896, and approximately 9 million people in 2010. The tendency of the decline of population living in rural areas continued during this period, and was in 55/45 per cent ratio.