A nationwide public opinion survey conducted by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research indicates that Armenians increasingly prioritize peace and stability and show strong support for closer ties with the European Union.
The poll, conducted between February 3 and 13, 2026, among 1,506 respondents across Armenia, suggests a shift in public concerns away from security issues toward economic priorities. The survey used telephone interviews and has a margin of error of ±2.5 percent.
Security concerns decline
According to the survey, the share of Armenians who identify national security and border issues as the country’s main problem has dropped significantly. In February 2026, 21 percent of respondents cited security and border concerns as the top issue, compared with 44 percent in June 2025.
The findings suggest that public perceptions of stability have improved following recent diplomatic developments.
“Armenians have clearly prioritized peace and stability,” said Stephen Nix, Senior Director for Europe and Eurasia at IRI. “They now expect their government to prioritize and deliver on economic progress.”
Economic concerns remain prominent. Unemployment, the cost of living, and low wages were among the most frequently cited challenges facing the country.
Strong support for EU membership
The survey also reveals broad public backing for Armenia’s potential accession to the European Union.
Overall, 72 percent of respondents said they support Armenia’s possible EU membership, including 33 percent who strongly support it and 39 percent who somewhat support the idea.
If a referendum on EU membership were held this Sunday, 51 percent said they would vote in favor of joining the EU, while 13 percent would vote against it and 32 percent said they would not participate in the vote.
“Armenians clearly desire a future oriented towards Europe, which they believe will strengthen their economy and national security,” Nix noted.
Among those supporting EU membership, the most commonly cited benefit is strengthening Armenia’s economy, followed by improved security and stability and the prospect of visa liberalization.
Civil Contract leads ahead of elections
With parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2026, the poll also measured current voting preferences.
Nearly 30 percent of likely voters said they would support Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party if elections were held next Sunday. Samvel Karapetyan’s “Strong Armenia” party follows with around 11 percent support, while the “Armenia” alliance led by Robert Kocharyan and the Prosperous Armenia Party each receive about 4 percent.
However, a significant share of voters remain undecided. The survey found that 28 percent of respondents had not yet chosen a party, and an additional 11 percent declined to name their preference.
Methodology
The survey was conducted through computer-assisted telephone interviews among residents of Armenia and forcibly displaced former residents of Nagorno-Karabakh now living in the country. The sample was weighted by age, gender, settlement type, and education level to reflect national demographics.
The findings highlight evolving public priorities in Armenia as the country approaches parliamentary elections and continues its foreign policy balancing between regional security concerns and closer integration with Europe.
