People and Society of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s citizenry has over 80 ethnic groups. The far eastern part of the country has the highest population density, particularly in and around Baku. Apart from smaller urbanized areas, the rest of the country has a fairly light and evenly distributed population. Approximately 57% of the country’s inhabitants lives in urban areas. While the population is continuing to grow, it is in the early stages of aging. The declining fertility rate – which has decreased from about 5.5 children per woman in the 1950s to less than the 2.1 replacement level in 2022 – combined with increasing life expectancy has resulted in the elderly making up a larger share of Azerbaijan’s populace. The percentage of elderly residents and the slowed growth and eventual shrinkage of the working-age population could put pressure on the country’s pension and healthcare systems.

Nationality

noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani

Ethnic Groups

Azerbaijani 91.6%, Lezghin 2%, Russian 1.3%, Armenian 1.3%, Talysh 1.3%, other 2.4%

Population

8,303,512

Population (Male / Female)

male: 5,330,233 female: 5,320,006

Population Distribution

highest population density is found in the far eastern area of the country, in and around Baku; apart from smaller urbanized areas, the rest of the country has a fairly light and evenly distributed population

Urban Population

urban population: 57.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.38% annual rate of change note: data include Nagorno-Karabakh

Population in Major Urban Areas

2.432 million BAKU (capital)

Age Structure

0-14 years: 22.3% (male 1,269,241/female 1,104,529) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 3,659,441/female 3,656,493) 65 years and over: 9% (male 401,551/female 558,984)

Median Age

total: 34.3 years male: 32.8 years female: 36 years

Sex Ratio at Birth

at birth: 1.15 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female

There is one Western-type medical clinic operating in Baku, run by International SOS, which provides 24-hour care of quality comparable to that in Western countries. It is adequate for urgent care and minor acute medical problems only. Surgeries, unless urgent for life-saving problems, are not advisable here. There is often a shortage of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles and vaccines. Bring adequate amounts of prescription medicines for the duration of your visit, as pharmacies often do not carry all brands or doses.

Life Expectancy at Birth

total population: 75.9 years male: 73.5 years female: 78.6 years

Infant Mortality Rate

total: 10.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9 deaths/1,000 live births

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 93.3% of population total: 97.1% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 6.7% of population total: 2.9% of population

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA

Tobacco Use

total: 24% male: 47.9% female: 0.1%

Alcohol Consumption

total: 1.38 liters of pure alcohol beer: 0.36 liters of pure alcohol wine: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 0.94 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Total School Life Expectancy

total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years

• Muslim94.0%
• Russian Orthodox2.0%
• Armenian Orthodox2.0%
• other2.0%

Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6%

Azerbaijani (Azeri) (official) 92.5%, Russian 1.4%, Armenian 1.4%, other 4.7%

• Armenian
• Azerbaijani
• Russian

Crime Information

Most of the crime in Baku affects local residents, with burglary and assault being the most common crimes. Foreigners are at greater risk in areas attracting large crowds or in very isolated areas. Although not common, petty theft and assault against foreign citizens do occur in Baku. Pick-pockets tend to frequent tourist sites, public transportation (especially minibusses), and pedestrian streets or large public squares where people congregate. Travelers should be mindful of their wallets, purses, and computer bags, as they make for tempting targets. Avoid traveling alone at night. Late-night targeted attacks against lone males, while not common, are the most common crimes committed against foreigners; these usually involve victims who have been drinking. There have been several reports from individuals who have been victims of crimes occurring late at night in bars frequented by Westerners. The crime occurs when a male patron is approached by a young woman who asks the individual to buy her a drink; after buying the drink and talking for a while, the customer is presented with an exorbitant bill. When the customer protests, he is approached by several men, detained, and forced to pay the full amount of the bill under threat of physical violence. You should be very cautious about allowing unknown people to enter your hotel room or apartment. Several Western women have reported incidents of unwanted male attention, including groping and other offensive behavior while walking on the streets alone or with only female companions. Travelers should remain alert when visiting tourist areas in Baku, such as Fountain Square and the Maiden’s Tower. We recommend that you avoid traveling alone in these areas after nightfall. There have been reports of vehicle break-ins at regional tourist sites outside Baku. Whenever possible, vehicles should be parked in guarded or controlled parking lots, and valuables should never be left in plain sight. There are instances of U.S. citizens being asked by new Internet friends to help pay a “return guarantee fee” to the Azerbaijani Immigration Service before a short trip abroad. There is no such law requiring Azerbaijani citizens to post a deposit for foreign travel, and the Internet friends were later determined to have fraudulent Azerbaijani identification cards. Please see this website for information about avoiding Internet financial scams. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, but purchasing them may also be against local law.