Side-by-side comparison of labour market performance across Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan — covering employment, wages, rights, social protection, and gender equity.
| Indicator | Georgia | Armenia | Azerbaijan | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment and Activity | ||||
| Employment rate (15–64) | 62.8% | 60.2% | 68.4% | National stats, 2024 |
| Unemployment rate | 15.9% | 12.4% | 5.8% | National stats, 2024 |
| Female employment rate | 53.5% | 52.1% | 59.2% | National stats, 2024 |
| Youth NEET rate (15–29) | ~28% | ~24% | ~18% | National stats, 2024 |
| Informal employment | ~37% | ~32% | ~28% | ILO estimates, 2024 |
| Wages and Living Standards | ||||
| Average monthly wage (USD) | ~$880 | ~$540 | ~$532 | National stats, 2024 |
| Minimum wage (USD/month) | ~$7 (nominal) | ~$195 | ~$203 | National law, 2024 |
| Min wage as % of avg wage | ~1% | ~36% | ~38% | GILS calculation |
| Gender pay gap (unadjusted) | ~33% | ~35% | ~47% | ILOSTAT, 2024 |
| Labour Rights and Governance | ||||
| ILO fundamental conventions ratified | 8/8 | 8/8 | 8/8 | NORMLEX, 2024 |
| Collective bargaining coverage | ~18% | ~22% | ~15% | ILO estimates |
| Trade union density | ~15% | ~21% | ~13% | ILO/ITUC, 2024 |
| Labour inspectors per 10,000 workers | ~1.1 | ~1.8 | ~2.2 | ILO C081 data |
| Social Protection | ||||
| Unemployment benefit (USD equiv.) | ~$74/mo | ~$120/mo | ~$95/mo | National law, 2024 |
| State pension (USD equiv.) | ~$112/mo | ~$175/mo | ~$135/mo | National law, 2024 |
| Social protection coverage (%) | ~37% | ~44% | ~52% | ILO World Social Protection Report |
Georgia leads the South Caucasus on average wages and has the most developed funded pension system. Armenia leads on minimum wage adequacy and social dialogue metrics. Azerbaijan leads on employment rate and labour inspection staffing, though data quality and independence differ across countries. All three countries score significantly below EU averages on gender pay gap, collective bargaining, and social protection coverage. See ILO Conventions — South Caucasus →
The GILS South Caucasus Labour Scorecard provides an annual side-by-side comparison of the three South Caucasus countries on 15 key labour market and labour standards indicators. The scorecard is designed to enable peer-learning, identify best practices, and create positive competitive pressure for standards improvement.
The 2023 scorecard shows: Georgia leads on formal legal framework quality (DCFTA alignment, anti-discrimination law, OSH); Armenia leads on minimum wage adequacy and unemployment insurance; Azerbaijan leads on formal wage levels but lags on civil liberties for unions. No single country leads across all dimensions.
The South Caucasus Labour Scorecard reveals a region where no country has got it all right — and where all three could benefit from peer learning. Georgia should lead a South Caucasus Labour Standards Convergence Initiative: not imposing standards, but sharing reforms, evidence, and ILO engagement. The scorecard's most important function is holding each country accountable to regional comparison — making it harder to justify the GEL 20 minimum wage when Armenia's equivalent is 28 times higher.
Georgia to formally propose, through ILO DWT and EaP multilateral framework, a South Caucasus Labour Standards Convergence Initiative: voluntary; annual ministerial meeting; shared indicator framework; peer review mechanism. First meeting: Tbilisi, 2026.
EaP multilateral framework · ILO DWT EECA · Baltic convergence modelArmenia's labour standards in two areas significantly exceed Georgia's: minimum wage (USD 195 vs USD 7) and unemployment insurance (exists vs does not exist). MLHSA delegation to Yerevan: study visit on both policies; Armenian policy design teams as technical advisers for Georgian reform. Cost: minimal.
Armenia Ministry of Labour · ILO Armenia country programme · Georgian-Armenian bilateral relationsThree different LFS methodologies make direct comparison unreliable. ILO-facilitated technical working group: harmonise definitions; synchronise publication timing; publish joint South Caucasus Labour Market Dashboard. GILS leads Georgian input; Geostat technical partner.
ILO ICLS-19 · Geostat capacity · EaP statistics programmeGeorgian qualifications are not recognised in Armenia and vice versa — barriers to legal cross-border employment. Bilateral MoU on qualification recognition: 20 priority occupations (healthcare, construction, education, transport). MoES + MLHSA joint negotiation. ILO and EU technical assistance available.
EU qualification recognition framework · Georgia-Armenia bilateral relations · ILO C142Annual 1-day civil society forum: GTUC, Armenian trade unions, Azerbaijani independent unions; GILS and counterpart institutes; international observers (ILO, EU, WB). Agenda: scorecard results; joint advocacy; regional campaign coordination. Alternating host cities: Tbilisi, Yerevan, Baku.
ITUC regional structure · ILO social dialogue programme · EaP Civil Society Forum| Convention / Standard | Subject | Ratified | Compliance | Key Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | Adequacy vs living wage | Georgia: worst (2.2%) | Armenia: 33%; Azerbaijan: 28% | Georgia's GEL 20 is the lowest minimum wage in the region by far |
| Unemployment Insurance | Exists / does not exist | Georgia: none | Armenia: yes; Azerbaijan: limited | Only Georgia has no unemployment benefit among the three |
| CB Coverage | Collective bargaining | Georgia: 5% | Armenia: 12%; Azerbaijan: 8% | All three low; Georgia lowest; no country above 15% |