AZE.US
Azerbaijan recorded 59,834 deaths in 2025, compared with 48,546 registered marriages, according to official statistics.
The figures represent different demographic indicators and do not, by themselves, mean that Azerbaijan’s population is declining.
However, fewer marriages, a persistently high number of divorces and a narrowing gap between births and deaths have renewed concerns about the country’s long-term demographic outlook.
The trend has also prompted discussion about the growing number of funeral halls and reports that some venues previously used primarily for weddings are now hosting memorial ceremonies.
Aydin Khan Abilov, a writer and cultural analyst who heads the New Writers and Artists Public Union, described demographic change as one of the most serious challenges facing Azerbaijan.
Approximately 60,000 people die in the country each year because of old age, illness, traffic accidents and other causes, he said. At the same time, the number of marriages is falling while the share of divorces remains high.
If these trends continue, Azerbaijan could face labor shortages and become increasingly dependent on foreign workers within the next five to 10 years, Abilov warned.
A growing elderly population would also place additional pressure on the pension and social welfare systems, making an adequate supply of young and working-age residents a strategic priority.
Abilov called for a long-term national program aimed at supporting families and increasing the birth rate. He said government agencies, demographers, sociologists, psychologists, researchers and civil society groups should all participate in its development.
Such a policy should include stronger financial assistance for families, improved social infrastructure, greater access to housing for young people and expanded employment opportunities.
Without a more favorable economic environment for forming families and raising children, reversing the demographic trend will be difficult, he said.
AZE.US