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Azerbaijan Society
Population: Mid-1994 estimate 7,684,456; 1994
annual
growth rate 1.4 percent. Density in 1991 approximately eightythree people per square kilometer.
Ethnic Groups: Azerbaijanis 82.7 percent,
Russians 5.6
percent, Armenians 5.6 percent, and Lezgins (Daghestanis) 3.2
percent, per 1989 census (Armenians and Russians much less in
early 1990s).
Languages: Azerbaijani 82 percent, Russian 7
percent,
and Armenian 5 percent, per 1989 census (Armenian much less in
early 1990s).
Religion: In 1989 Muslim 87 percent (about 70
percent
of which Shia), Russian Orthodox 5.6 percent, and Armenian
Apostolic 5.6 percent (much less in early 1990s). Many mosques
reopened or established after religious restrictions of Soviet
period.
Education and Literacy: Compulsory education
through
eighth grade. In 1970 literacy estimated at 100 percent (ages
nine to forty-nine). After 1991 major reform program was begun to
modify Soviet system, eliminate ideology, increase use of
Azerbaijani language, and reintroduce traditional religious
instruction.
Health: Nominally universal health care
available but
facilities limited, especially after independence. Sanitation,
pharmacies, health care delivery, and research and development at
relatively low level; medicines and equipment in short supply.
Data as of March 1994
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