Population in Karabakh, East Zangezur surpasses 55,000, state committee says

The population in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions has exceeded 55,000 as of early September, official data by the State Statistics Committee confirms.

The figure reflects the ongoing implementation of the government-led repatriation initiative known as The Great Return, aimed at resettling Azerbaijani citizens in territories liberated following the 2020 conflict, Caliber.Az reports.

According to the Committee, 4,591 families have returned to their ancestral homes under the framework of the state program during the reporting period.

“The total number of individuals currently residing in the liberated territories stands at 55,329,” the Committee noted in its latest update.

The government continues to emphasize that the repatriation process is being carried out in phases, in line with security, logistical, and developmental considerations.

Azerbaijan's Great Return program, launched in 2022, aims to resettle approximately 140,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) by 2026 in territories liberated during the 2020 Karabakh conflict.

The initiative encompasses the reconstruction of 100 settlements, including the development of housing, schools, hospitals, and utility networks, with over $4.6 billion allocated between 2020 and 2023 and projections of $17.6 billion by 2030.

The second phase of the Great Return, scheduled for 2026 -2040, aims to achieve the comprehensive restoration and reintegration of all liberated territories.

By Vafa Guliyeva