Armenia Leaves Key Rate Unchanged

2026-05-05 08:45 By Mariene Camarillo 1 min. read

The Central Bank of Armenia held its benchmark interest rate steady at 6.5% during its May 2026 meeting, and also maintained the deposit and lending rates at 5% and 8%, respectively.

Annual inflation rose to a three-year high of 4.5% from 4.3% in February, while core inflation remained unchanged at 4.7%.

Beyond inflation, the broader economic backdrop remains supportive.

Economic activity stayed resilient in the first quarter of 2026, underpinned by strong expansion in construction and services.

Growth in the services sector, in particular, reflects a shift toward segments fueled by rising domestic demand.

However, uncertainty about the current demand conditions is rising, as geopolitical tensions and volatile energy prices increase inflation risks and weigh on the outlook.

The Board reaffirmed its decision to keep the policy rate unchanged, while emphasizing its readiness to adjust policy as needed to safeguard its medium-term objective of maintaining inflation at 3%.



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Armenia Leaves Key Rate Unchanged
The Central Bank of Armenia held its benchmark interest rate steady at 6.5% during its May 2026 meeting, and also maintained the deposit and lending rates at 5% and 8%, respectively. Annual inflation rose to a three-year high of 4.5% from 4.3% in February, while core inflation remained unchanged at 4.7%. Beyond inflation, the broader economic backdrop remains supportive. Economic activity stayed resilient in the first quarter of 2026, underpinned by strong expansion in construction and services. Growth in the services sector, in particular, reflects a shift toward segments fueled by rising domestic demand. However, uncertainty about the current demand conditions is rising, as geopolitical tensions and volatile energy prices increase inflation risks and weigh on the outlook. The Board reaffirmed its decision to keep the policy rate unchanged, while emphasizing its readiness to adjust policy as needed to safeguard its medium-term objective of maintaining inflation at 3%.
2026-05-05
Central Bank of Armenia Holds Key Rate Steady
The Central Bank of Armenia held its benchmark interest rate steady at 6.5% during its March 2026 meeting, and also maintained the deposit and lending rates at 5% and 8%, respectively. Annual inflation rose to a nine-month high of 4.3% in February from 3.8% in January, while core inflation climbed further to 4.7% from 4.5%. Additionally, GDP growth accelerated sharply to 9.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025 from 6.2% in the previous quarter, driven primarily by the construction, services, and manufacturing sectors. However, uncertainty regarding current demand conditions and the outlook has increased significantly, particularly due to structural challenges to economic growth and risks linked to fiscal expansion. The Board said it will continue to closely monitor economic developments and is prepared to take appropriate measures to ensure price stability and achieve its 3% inflation target over the medium term.
2026-03-17
Armenia Leaves Key Rate Unchanged
The Central Bank of Armenia kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.5% during its February 2026 meeting. Policy makers also kept the deposit and lending rates steady at 5% and 8%, respectively. The decision reflected a balance between inflationary pressures and economic demand, as annual headline inflation rose to 3.3% in December from 3.1% in the prior month, remaining below the Central Bank’s 4% target, while core inflation stood at 4.3%. The board noted that domestic economic activity remained robust, supported by growth in construction and services as well as temporary factors in manufacturing, though medium-term risks persist. In view of these conditions, the board opted to maintain a steady policy stance to manage both inflationary pressures and factors that could dampen growth, while supporting stability around its 3% medium-term target.
2026-02-03