Short Answer
This encyclopedia entry provides a systematic comparison of Yazidi population figures reported in national censuses and scholarly sources across the three Transcaucasian states.
Yazidi (Kurmanji: Êzîdî) refers to members of the ancient monotheistic faith centered in the Kurdish‑speaking regions of the Middle East, distinguished by a distinct ethno‑religious identity.
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| Kurmanji name | Êzîdî |
| Also written | Yazidi, Yezidi |
| Category | Ethno‑religious minority |
| Region | South Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan) |
| Observed/Active | Contemporary communities maintaining distinct religious practice |
| Primary sources | National censuses, UNHCR reports, academic studies |
Pronunciation & orthography
The term is spelled Êzîdî in Kurmanji Latin script, appears as ئێزیدى in Arabic‑script, and as Эзиди in Cyrillic used in some Georgian publications. IPA: /eːˈziːdi/. Common English misspellings include “Yazidi” and “Yezidi.”
Main exposition
Methodological overview of census data
National censuses in the South Caucasus have varied in their treatment of religious affiliation versus ethnic self‑identification. Armenia records Yazidis as an ethnic group, Georgia includes them under “Kurds” with a separate religious identifier, while Azerbaijan does not list Yazidis as a distinct category, relying on NGO estimates (Broers 2008).
Armenia
Armenia’s census series shows a steady decline: 56,127 in 1989, 40,620 in 2001, 35,272 in 2011, and 31,077 in 2022 (see Table 1). Factors cited include emigration to Europe, low birth rates, and the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake that displaced many communities (Ethnic minorities in Armenia, 2026).
Georgia
Georgia’s 2014 census recorded 12,174 Yazidis, concentrated mainly in Tbilisi and the surrounding Kvemo Kartli region (Yazidis in Georgia, 2026). The community benefits from legal recognition and the establishment of the National Council of Yazidis in 1919, which facilitated demographic registration.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s official statistics do not enumerate Yazidis separately. According to the 2008 UNHCR‑commissioned report, the Yazidi presence is “estimated at a few hundred to roughly 1,500 individuals,” primarily residing in the Nakhchivan exclave and the capital Baku (Broers 2008). The lack of precise data reflects both methodological gaps and political sensitivities.
Human‑rights context
Discrimination, limited access to education, and land‑ownership disputes have been documented across the three states, influencing demographic trends (Broers 2008). In Georgia, the construction of a Yazidi temple near Tbilisi in the late 1990s marked a symbolic assertion of communal rights.
In the oral tradition
Yazidi oral literature (qewl) repeatedly references the diaspora’s yearning for a “land of peace.” A frequently recited verse states:
“Ez li ser zemînê xwe bidim, ji bo xwedê û kulîlkên me.” (I will stand upon my land, for God and our blossoms.)
Scholars interpret this as an expression of collective memory that shapes contemporary identity (Komakhidze & Fatemi 2021).
Scholarly disagreement
Kreyenbroek argues that Yazidi population figures should be treated as ethnic counts, emphasizing self‑identification in censuses, whereas Açıkyıldız contends that religious affiliation is the primary marker, cautioning against conflating ethnicity with faith. This debate impacts how demographic data are interpreted across the Caucasus.
Common misconceptions
Regional variation
While the core religious practices remain consistent, regional differences emerge in language use (greater Georgian assimilation in Georgia, Armenian in Armenia), temple infrastructure (the Tbilisi temple versus none in Azerbaijan), and diaspora links (stronger European migration from Armenia, Middle Eastern ties from Georgia).
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1919 | Yazidis register the National Council of Yazidis in Tbilisi (Yazidis in Georgia, 2026). |
| 2008 | UNHCR report documents human‑rights situation and provides population estimates for Azerbaijan (Broers 2008). |
| 2014 | Georgia census records 12,174 Yazidis (Yazidis in Georgia, 2026). |
| 2022 | Armenia census records 31,077 Yazidis (Ethnic minorities in Armenia, 2026). |
Data table
| Country | Year | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Armenia | 1989 | 56,1271 |
| Armenia | 2001 | 40,6202 |
| Armenia | 2011 | 35,2723 |
| Armenia | 2022 | 31,0774 |
| Georgia | 2014 | 12,1745 |
| Azerbaijan | 2008 (estimate) | ~1,000 (range few hundred‑1,500)6 |
FAQ
How reliable are the population figures for Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan does not publish Yazidi figures in its official census. The estimate of roughly 1,000 individuals comes from the 2008 UNHCR report, which gathered data from NGOs and community leaders. The range reflects uncertainty and should be treated as indicative rather than precise.
Why do Yazidi numbers decline in Armenia?
The decline is attributed to sustained emigration to Europe and Russia, lower fertility rates, and socioeconomic pressures following the post‑Soviet transition. The census data consistently show a downward trend from 56,127 in 1989 to 31,077 in 2022.
Can the census data be compared directly across the three countries?
Direct comparison is limited because Armenia records Yazidis as an ethnic category, Georgia combines ethnicity and religion, and Azerbaijan lacks separate enumeration. Scholars therefore adjust figures using estimates and contextual analysis to produce comparable tables.
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