Armenian populations exist throughout the world. Although Armenian diaspora communities have existed since ancient times, most of the Armenians living outside of the Republic of Armenia are descendants of the Armenian genocide survivors or recent immigrants from Armenia. According to various estimates, the total number of Armenians in the world is 7 to 9 million, with less than half living in Armenia and in the self-proclaimed de facto independent Artsakh Republic (Nagorno-Karabakh).