Azerbaijan is officially known as the Republic of Azerbaijan.
It is a transcontinental country, formerly The Soviet Union, and is bounded by the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian Sea.
It is a Turkic state which forms part of the Middle East, West Asia, and Eastern Europe.
As of 2021, the total population of the country comprised 10.15 million residents and covered a total land area of 86 600 km².
Its capital city, Baku, is world-renowned for its Medieval Walled Inner City.
It is very rich in oil reserves and the country has a rich and long history.
But, what about moving to Azerbaijan?
We have done research to find the top advantages and disadvantages of moving to this country.
Contents
Pros of Living in Azerbaijan
1. Resources
Azerbaijan is rich in oil reserves and other energy resources, which also form a significant part of its export sector.
The country is considered to be an upper-middle-income nation.
Azerbaijan has a high level of literacy and economic development.
The country’s poverty and unemployment rates have fallen significantly over the past few decades, but the country is at risk of losing those gains due to the fact that it struggles to transition into a market economy, much like many of the other former Soviet Union states.
The main industries in the country include:
- Petroleum and natural gas
- Iron Ore
- Cement
- Oilfield equipment
- Machinery
- Cotton
- Steel
- Chemicals
- Petroleum products
- Textiles
- Foodstuff
- Petrochemicals
Though Azerbaijan scored below average compared to other European countries in terms of economic freedom, it did score quite high for ease of doing business.
2. Crime
Crime is relatively low in Azerbaijan.
The country has a crime index of 31.82 and a safety index of 68.18.
These numbers are calculated from surveys that visitors and locals freely engage in.
The site goes on to explain that the country has seen a moderate increase in crime over the past three years but the overall consensus is that visitors and locals feel fairly safe.
All forms of violent and property crimes scored low on the index with visitors and locals stating that they feel safe traveling at night and during the day.
Corruption and bribery have scored very high on the index indicating that white-collar crime seems to be most prevalent.
There are risks for tourists, which include petty crimes such as pickpocketing and tourist scams.
Visitors are always advised to practice reasonable caution when traveling in the country and remain vigilant.
In addition, transnational crime does seem to be a problem with trafficking and smuggling being the primary forms of crime.
3. Climate
Azerbaijan has a relatively pleasant climate.
The country experiences hot summers and mild winters.
The hottest months of the year are July and August, while the coldest months are December through February.
The average temperate range is between 43°F during the colder months and 86°F during the warmer months.
But, bearing in mind, the average temperature ranges differ quite significantly in different regions and altitudes.
There are nine climate zones in the country.
Precipitation ranges between eight millimeters in the winter and approximately 55 millimeters in the summer.
The more mountainous parts of the country receive higher amounts of precipitation during the year, while lower-lying areas receive less precipitation.
4. Road safety
The country has a very good track record with road safety.
According to World Health Rankings, the latest WHO data published in 2020, highlighted the fact that the country’s road accident deaths as a result of motor vehicle accidents were 0.86% or 676 deaths.
Those statistics calculate roughly 6.56 per 100,000 residents, putting the country in 143rd place worldwide for the lowest number of road accident deaths.
5. Air pollution
The air quality in Azerbaijan is relatively good in comparison to other countries in Europe and Asia.
According to IQAir.com, the country ranks 57th out of 118 countries when it comes to air quality.
Although the air quality is approximately just over three times that of the WHO annual air quality guideline, it is still considered to be moderately good.
The major contributing factor to the current air pollution in the country is the use of old motor vehicles.
In addition, bigger cities like the capital do experience lower levels of air quality.
6. Azerbaijani cuisine
If you are a foodie, then this is the country for you.
Simply put, Azerbaijani cuisine is divine!
The cuisine in this country is a blend of perfectly seasoned meat, dark spices, and delicious vegetables.
The secret to their cuisine is fresh ingredients, herbs, and incorporating a variety of spices.
Dishes are aromatic and burst with unique flavors.
You can almost taste the history and deep culture rooted in each dish.
7. High literacy rate
The country ranks in the top position worldwide for the highest literacy rate.
According to Statista.com, the country has a literacy rate of 99.8%.
This refers to the percentage of the population above the age of 15 that can read and write.
In addition, the country has a very high level of secondary and higher education.
8. Cost of living
The cost of living is relatively low in the country.
The average family of four will be able to live on $1,504.4 per month, excluding rent.
The average single person may live on $418.8 per month without rent.
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant will be less than $6 while utility bills will be under $50.
However, the average monthly salary is approximately $400 so you would need to draw income from an international employer to enjoy these benefits.
Cons of Living in Azerbaijan
1. English
One of the biggest drawbacks is that English is not commonly spoken in the country.
Even if you travel to some of the bigger cities, you may find that you struggle to communicate with the locals.
What this means is that you will need to master the language at most or learn some key phrases at the very least, in order to get by in the country.
In addition, when moving to another country, factors such as this may cause culture shock and an inability to adapt.
2. Medical care
Medical care is a major drawback of living in Azerbaijan.
There is a very low level of medical care available in the country, which is not very sufficient and most healthcare facilities lack modern equipment and the personnel to manage the equipment.
The majority of healthcare facilities are located in the capital city of Baku.
When traveling outside of the capital, you may find that healthcare facilities are basically non-existent.
So, if you plan to live outside of the capital, you need to take into account the distance and travel time in the event of an emergency.
The important distinction about this is that it refers to public healthcare only.
Private healthcare, on the other hand, is a completely different story.
Private healthcare in Azerbaijan is excellent with up-to-date equipment and staff that are well-trained.
3. Limited freedom of speech
The country was placed in 167th position out of 180 countries, by Reporters without Borders on the Press Freedom Index, and rated as not free.
Restriction of the media is carried out through a variety of measures implemented by the government.
It is estimated that the country has one of the worst policies on freedom of speech worldwide.
In addition to this, political opposition parties are prosecuted, people are not allowed to gather and protest, and torture and ill-treatment are still practiced in the country.
4. Not safe for women
While Azerbaijan is generally safe to travel to for both men and women, there have been reports from some women regarding unwanted male attention.
It is best advised to travel with a male companion when taking a taxi or venturing out at night.
Women are advised not to travel alone at night or travel home alone when intoxicated.
In addition, it is best not to accept gifts from strangers.
Furthermore, streets are not well-lit at night, and travelers, both male and female, are advised not to travel during the night time as certain dangers do increase when it gets dark.
5. Dangers at night
One thing that most visitors and locals should remain aware of is scams related to drinks.
While crime is generally low and people have stated that they do feel safe when traveling in the country, there have been reports of visitors’ and locals’ drinks being spiked and getting robbed at night while out.
This is most prevalent in western style bars and clubs in the capital city.
It’s important to never accept food or drinks from people you’ve just met in a social setting and to always keep an eye on your drink.
There have been reports of similar scams against men being approached by females who run up a high bar tab and leave.
The men are physically assaulted in order to force them to pay.
6. Poor road infrastructure
Many of the roads in the country are in poor condition and traveling is quite dangerous, especially at night, when the lighting is bad as well.
Unfortunately, there are quite a few people that tend to speed on the roads in Azerbaijan and if you are unfamiliar with the roads, this could spell disaster.
Furthermore, you should keep an eye out for people traveling by foot and livestock on the road in rural Azerbaijan, especially if you are traveling at night.
Potholes and bumps are a major concern on the roads and can cause serious damage to your vehicle.
The good news is that the country is making significant strides in improving road conditions.
7. Bribery
There is a very big culture of bribery and corruption in this country.
Always refuse to pay any bribes.
8. Weather
While the weather may be pleasant year-round in certain areas of the country, there are still areas that experience much colder winters than the rest of Azerbaijan.
If you are not a fan of cold winters, you may want to avoid moving to these areas.
Pros and Cons of Living in Azerbaijan – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Azerbaijan | Cons of Living in Azerbaijan |
|---|---|
| 1. Resources | 1. English |
| 2. Crime | 2. Medical care |
| 3. Climate | 3. Limited freedom of speech |
| 4. Road safety | 4. Not safe for women |
| 5. Air pollution | 5. Dangers at night |
| 6. Azerbaijani cuisine | 6. Poor road infrastructure |
| 7. High literacy rate | 7. Bribery |
| 8. Cost of living | 8. Weather |
Azerbaijan Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Azerbaijan Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national dish of Azerbaijan?
Plov.
A rice-based dish.
What is the most visited city in Azerbaijan?
Baku, Old City.
What is the biggest tourist attraction in Azerbaijan?
Yanar Dag.
It is a prominent tourist spot.
Which areas should be avoided in Azerbaijan?
The border with Armenia.
What is the national sport of Azerbaijan?
Freestyle wrestling.
I feel very safe walking around at all hours of the day and night. And the Azerbaijani people are very respectful of elders, I loved seeing that… The food! It’s so flavorful and unique, and I’ve never had anything like it before. I’ve also been able to try some of the most delicious desserts I’ve ever tasted, the Pakhlava wins hands down. They also have so many traditional festivals and events to participate in so make sure to time your trip with whatever it is you want to attend. I’ve also been able to meet some amazing people from all over the country.
Safety is generally not a significant concern, especially in smaller towns and regions. One consideration, however, is the limited availability of healthcare facilities in more remote areas so make sure you have insurance and a general knowledge of the area you’re traveling to. I’m absolutely smitten with the country. The people are so warm and welcoming, and there’s so much to see and do. One of the things I love most about Azerbaijan is the scenery. The country is home to stunning mountains, forests, and beaches. I’ve been able to go hiking, camping, and swimming in some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
It’s important to note that Azerbaijan just ethnically cleansed 120K indigenous Christian Armenians from their ancestral homeland. Azerbaijan blockaded the Nagorno-Karabakh region for a year, then shelled innocent civilians. The Armenians were forcibly removed from the land where they have lived for 3,000 years.
So, if visiting a genocidal warmongering dictatorship that indoctrinates its citizens to hate Christians is interesting for you, by all means, Azerbaijan is the place to be!
I will resist the temptation to refute Merill’s arguments, instead will just add some facts for additional perspective:
– historically, Armenians were only part of NK population, the rest were Azeris.
– 30 years ago, Armenians, helped by Russian mercenaries, ethnically cleansed Azeris not only from NK but also from surrounding regions – 900,000 people in total. This was accompanied by acts of genocide like Khodjaly – well documented and internationally acknowledged.
– In 2020, Azerbaijan fought a 44 days’ war with Armenia and freed the occupied territories, thus fulfilling 4 UN resolutions. Armenia and the world recognized the restauration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Most of NK Armenians stayed in NK at that time, protected by Russian “peace-keepers”
– In 2022, Azeri forces entered NK zone after 1 day fighting with local militias, and offered the local Armenians to stay by accepting Azerbaijan citizenship and giving up separatism. Yet the vast majority of Armenians decided to relocated to Armenia. The relocation was peaceful, with not a single act of violence noted by international observers.
– Last but not least, religion played zero role in this conflict. This is demonstrated by the facts that Armenia was/is supported by Iran, while Azerbaijan was/is supported by Israel. In Azerbaijan there live Christian and Jewish minorities, while Armenia is a monoethnic, mono-confessional state.