ArmInfo. Measures implemented by the Central Bank also influenced Armenia's economic development in the first half of 2026. This was stated in the report on the execution of the Armenian state budget for the first half of 2026, which was discussed at a meeting of the National Assembly Committee on Financial, Credit, and Budgetary Affairs.
In January-June, the Central Bank acquired $1.161 billion on the market, bringing Armenia's international reserves to a historical high of approximately 6.2 billion drams. The dram continues to strengthen, and as of July, the dram-dollar exchange rate was 368 drams.
In June, 12-month inflation was 5.1 percent, and average inflation for January-June was 4.6 percent. Resident deposits grew by 24.3 percent, while lending grew by 22.6 percent. The number of actual employees increased by 3.2 percent to 810,671. The average monthly salary increased by 5.5 percent to 310,787 drams.
During the reporting period, state budget revenues amounted to 1.643 billion drams, while expenditures amounted to 1.576 billion drams. Current expenditures increased by 11.6 percent, while capital expenditures decreased by 28.3 percent. Revenues exceeded the planned target by 6 percent, while expenditures increased by 7 percent compared to the same period last year. The decrease in capital expenditures by 83.7 billion drams was due to a 43.9 percent reduction in capital expenditures under the defense program. At the same time, capital expenditures carried out from internal resources (excluding expenditures of the Ministry of Defense) increased by 42.4 percent.
