President: "Demographic picture in Azerbaijan is positive"

"The demographic picture in Azerbaijan is very positive. During independence, our population increased from 7 million to 10 million. This is a manifestation of the positive trends in the country, a manifestation of stability, peace, economic development, social welfare," President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with AZERTAC, Report informs.

"Of course, the potential we have in all areas must be commensurate with this demographic growth. At the same time, the country's economy and industrial potential are growing. Last year, we were able to please our people with good results. Our economy grew by more than 5%, and industrial production in the non-oil sector increased by about 20%. The first results of January were reported to me these days. The results are more promising. Economic growth was about 6%, GDP in the non-oil sector was up about 9%, and non-oil industrial production grew by 24%. This is a record. This means that positive dynamics will be provided this year too. January is the beginning of the year. No country in the world, including Azerbaijan, usually has strong economic growth in January. But these indicators, as they say, are a result in themselves," the head of state said.