Levon Ter-Petrosyan was president of Armenia from 1991 until 1998. Gagik G. Haroutunian has been prime minister, vice president, and chairman of the Council of Ministers since November 1991. Gregory Nare Katzi, who lived in the 10th century, was Armenia's first great poet. Nineteenth-century novelists include Hakob Maliq-Hakobian (1835?–1888) whose pen name is "Raffi" and the playwright Gabriel Sundukian (1825–1912). Soviet aircraft designer Artem Mikuyan (1905–70) served as head of the MiG design bureau.

Although there is a shortage of resources, Armenia has been investing in new hotels to increase tourism. Outdoor activities and scenery seem to be the primary attractions. Lake Sevan, the world's largest mountain lake is a popular summer tourist spot and The Tsakhador Ski Resort is open year round for skiing in the winter and hiking and picnicking the rest of the year. Mt. Ararat, the traditional site of the landing of Noah's Ark, is located along the border with Turkey.

In 2000, there were about 45,000 visitor arrivals, as compared to 13,000 in 1996. Tourist receipts totaled us$45 million in 2000.

In 2002 the US Department of State estimated the daily cost of staying in Yerevan was $184.

In 1997, there were 568,000 main line telephones. A 2001 report added 25,000 mobile cellular phones. Communications are the responsibility of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and are operated by Armental, a 90% Greek-owned company. Yerevan is linked to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran. Communications links to other former Soviet republics are by land line or microwave, and to other countries by satellite and through Moscow. Armenian and Russian radio and television stations broadcast throughout the country. As of 1998, there were 9 AM and 6 FM radio stations and 3 television stations. In addition, programs were relayed by Russian television. Television is the most accessible medium. In 1997 there were 850,000 radios and 825,000 televisions in the country.

The five largest newspapers as of 2002 were Golos Armenii ( The Voice of Armenia , circulation 20,000), Hayastani Hanrapetutyun (a joint publication of the parliament and the newspaper's staff), and Respublika Armenia .

Armenia's constitution provides for freedom of expression, and is said to generally uphold freedom of speech and press. However, journalists seem to adhere to an unspoken rule of self-censorship, particularly when reporting on political issues, since they traditionally depend on the government for funding and access to facilities. The government has, it is noted, begun to shed itself of the state publishing apparatus, and it has dissolved the Ministry of Information.

In 2001, there were 9 Internet service providers serving about 30,000 Internet users.

Important political movements in Armenia include the Armenian National Movement and the National Self-Determination Association. Armenian trade unions belong to the umbrella organization Council of Armenia Trade Unions. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Armenia promotes the economic and business activities of the country in world markets.

The National Academy of Sciences of Armenia encourages the public interest in science and seeks to ensure availability and effectiveness of science education programs. The group also works with various research programs. The Independent Media Center promotes the freedom and accuracy of press and other media.

There are a number of national sporting organizations including those sponsoring football, skiing, and the Special Olympics. The National Youth Council of the Republic of Armenia coordinates youth organizations through the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth. An affiliate of the United Nations of Youth (UNOY), a foundation based in the Netherlands, was established in Armenia in 1994. Other youth groups include the Aragast Youth Club and the Armenian Euro Club Unipax. Scouting organizations are also present. Organizations representing the rights and role of women in society include the League of Armenian Women, the Union of the Protection of Women's, Children and Family Rights, and the Women's Alliance.

The official language is Armenian. Education is compulsory between the ages of 7 and 15 hears and is free at both the primary and secondary levels. Elementary education lasts three years and intermediate education lasts five years. This is followed by two years of general secondary education. Since the early 1990s, increasing emphasis has been placed on Armenian history and culture. In 1999 the adult illiteracy rate was 1.7%.

There are two universities in Yerevan: the Yerevan State University (founded in 1919) and the State Engineering University of Armenia. Seven other educational institutions are located in the capital. As of 1999, public expenditure on education was estimated at 2% of GDP.

In 1996, there were 1,402 primary schools, with a total enrollment of 256,475 students and 13,620 teachers. The secondary pupil-teacher ratio in 1995 was 10 to 1. In 1991 a total of 125,900 students were enrolled in all higher-level institutions.

There are two branches of the National Library, with the main branch in Yerevan comprising 6.2 million volumes as of 2002. The main library of the Armenian Academy of Sciences in Yerevan has 4.4 million volumes. The Armenian Academy of Sciences and the universities each have research libraries. Yerevan's museums include the National Gallery of Arts; the Yerevan Children's Picture Gallery, a unique collection of children's art from Armenia and around the world; the Museum of Modern Art; the House Museum of Ovanes Tumanjan, Armenia's most renowned poet; and the Museum of Ancient Manuscripts. There are also museums devoted to the composer Aram Khachaturian (including his piano) and the filmmaker Sergei Paradjanov, Armenia's most famous sons.

There were 46,635 live births in 1999, with an infant mortality rate of 15 per 1,000 live births in 2000. The estimated maternal mortality rate was 35 per 100,000 live births as of 1999. Life expectancy in 2000 averaged 74 years. There were 7,000 warrelated deaths from 1989 to 1992; the death rate was estimated at 10 per 1,000 people in 2002. In 1999, the incidence of tuberculosis was 58 per 100,000 people. Immunization rates declined as of 1994 due to war and earthquakes but have begun to recover. In 1999, the immunization rates were as follows for a child under the age of one: tuberculosis, 72%; polio, 95%; and measles, 92%. In the same year, the estimated immunization rate for DPT was 91%. In 2000 the total fertility rate was 1.3 births per woman and the maternal mortality rate was an estimated 35 per 100,000 live births.

As of 1999, there were an estimated 3.2 physicians and 0.7 hospital beds per 1,000 people and the country spent an estimated 7.8% of its GDP on health care. In this former republic of the Soviet Union, health care has undergone rapid changes in the last few years. The break from the Soviet Union has meant a disruption of the system that once provided member states with equipment, supplies, and drugs. Out-of-pocket payments by individual are now required for most health care services. However, the health care delivery itself is still largely organized as it was during the Soviet era, with regional clinics and walk-in centers delivering most primary health care services.

The incidence of heart disease is high compared to other moderately developed countries. There is nearly a 50% chance of dying of heart disease after age 65 for both women and men. As of 1999, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS was estimated at fewer than 500 and the prevalence rate among adults was 0.01%.