Journalist to Pashinyan: Shura, how much do you need to be completely happy?

ArmInfo. "I haven't become a millionaire in my eight years as prime minister," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a briefing on October 8.

Addressing the prime minister, the journalist recalled Pashinyan's words as an opposition figure, spoken in 2013 when officials' salaries were raised. Pashinyan, who opposed such initiatives, then asked the government: "Shura, how much do you need to be completely happy?" Now, 13 years later, the journalist addressed the same question to Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

In response, the head of government recalled that the revenue side of the Armenian state budget in 2025 exceeded the 2017 figures by 135%. The country has implemented a universal health insurance system and a teacher certification system, which has nearly tripled teachers' salaries. The "Fatherland Defender" program is also being implemented, with military personnel receiving salaries of 500,000-600,000 drams. The country's GDP has also increased by 53.1%.

The Prime Minister noted that the public administration system has recorded these successes, and to continue them, it is necessary to increase the attractiveness of this system in order to reduce corruption risks. Pashinyan believes that the authorities have achieved significant success and can afford to significantly increase salaries and compensation.

It is worth noting that, starting January 1, 2027, Armenia plans to significantly increase salaries for high-ranking civil servants and officials, while payments to rank-and-file specialists are planned to be linked to the achievement of performance indicators (KPIs). For example, the salaries of the president and prime minister will increase to 2.6 million drams, deputy prime ministers to 2.1 million drams, and ministers to 2 million drams. The salaries of National Assembly members will jump from 832,000 to approximately 1.5 million drams, and the salaries of the Ombudsman and Prosecutor General to 1.8 million drams. Department heads will receive up to 740,000 drams instead of the current 400,000 drams.