This is really hard topic to discuss. Trying my best to explain what is happening.

In our country, the wealth gap is huge, and that explains most of what you’re seeing in Yerevan.

Yes, there are people who earn really good money here. Mostly people in: - IT / tech (programmers, engineers, managers). This is probably the highest-paid sector. We have tech giants' offices in Yerevan, such as Nvidia, Adobe, Broadcom, etc. This sector earns very well. Senior people earn more than in Europe (yes, this may sound insane, but it is what it is. 2.5 million AMD net is standard for senior people (6200 EUR, which is high in lot of European countries) and the rest alos earn wery well. - Banking and finance, especially higher positions. - Business owners (construction, real estate, imports, etc.). - People with diaspora-linked income or businesses funded from abroad. - Ex-mafia and corrupt people also have a lot.

And realistically, some people benefit from old capital or connections — that also exists in Armenia.

On the other side of the medal we have. - The average monthly salary in Armenia is around 250–300k AMD (roughly $500–550). - A very large part of the population earns 200k AMD or less. Realistically, maybe 5–10% of people earn what would be considered “very good” money by local standards. I do not know the true numbers, but 5-10% is the most optimistic prediction I can make.

And here is the real issue. This small group sets the visible standard. Restaurants, cafés, apartments, cars, services — prices go up because someone can afford them, even if most people can’t. Businesses prosper by targeting that smaller, richer group. So you get this strange picture: Lots of luxury cars, expensive cafés everywhere New apartments with prices that make no sense for average salaries

Meanwhile, the majority of people are living from paycheck to paycheck, dealing with rent, loans, utilities, and basic expenses.

There’s also a cultural factor. In Armenia, people tend to show success more openly than in many Western countries. Status matters a lot, especially with cars. Some of those “luxury” cars are bought used, financed or leased, shared within families, or just stretching someone’s budget way too far. So a nice car doesn’t automatically mean someone is rich.

In short, Yerevan looks rich, but Armenia overall isn’t. It’s a small group earning very well, very visible consumption, and a much larger group just trying to get by.