Armenian expert says decline in university applicants tied to longer schooling, shifting priorities

The number of students entering Armenian universities has dropped sharply over the past decade, and one education expert says the move to a 12-year school system is a key factor.

“We’ve seen a steady decline in applicants over the last 10 years, driven by several reasons,” education analyst Serob Khachatryan told Panorama.am in an interview on Monday. He noted that many students lose motivation after completing the extended program and choose not to pursue higher education.

Government data show that for the 2026 admissions cycle, 12,720 university slots were allocated — 2,133 tuition-free and 10,587 paid. Of those, 9,620 applicants were admitted, including 1,875 on free terms and 7,799 on paid terms.

Khachatryan said many students begin working during their final school years, earning enough to question the value of paying tuition when higher salaries remain elusive even with a degree. “Graduates have started to think more realistically,” he said, adding that the old stigma of not entering university has largely faded.

He also pointed to weak academic preparation. “We have admitted students who scored below 10 points across two exams combined. It’s clear they will face serious challenges in their studies,” Khachatryan said.

Armenia once admitted more than 20,000 students annually, but the decline has pushed the country into mid-tier standings internationally. Khachatryan stressed that the curriculum and teaching methods in the final two years of secondary school must be reviewed to better prepare students for higher education.