Gold Production Decreased

The safety of metro passengers is a top priority, Vusal Aslanov, Chairman of “Baku Metro” CJSC, told journalists citing the transport system’s handling of 229-230 million passengers in 2024.

New data reveal dramatic increases in both foreign arrivals and Azerbaijani departures, highlighting the country’s evolving role as a regional travel hub. In a striking demonstration of its growing global connectivity, Azerbaijan saw a significant surge in international arrivals during 2024. According to figures released by the State Border Service, the country welcomed approximately 2.63 million non-citizen visitors—a 25.9% increase over the previous year—representing travelers from 196 countries. The latest data underscore Azerbaijan’s escalating prominence on the international stage, both as a destination and a departure point.

Global food prices decreased in 2024, but Azerbaijan bucked the trend, recording a rise in food expenditures. Experts believe this necessitates urgent expansion of agricultural production to safeguard the domestic market.

Italy, one of the European Union's largest economies, solidified its position as a key importer of Azerbaijani natural gas in 2024, despite a notable decline in domestic gas consumption. The country imported 58.7 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas, meeting most of its annual demand of 61.7 bcm—a 2.5% drop compared to 2023. This data, reported by the Italian energy market regulator GME, highlights shifts in Italy’s energy sourcing and consumption patterns.