Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2026 All Rights Reserved

Population decline in Bulgaria accelerates

Photo: library

In the period 2001 to 2011 the population in Bulgaria decreased by approximately 500,000 people, while the census of 2021 shows that since 2011 it has decreased by about 800,000 people. It is also clear that there has been a rise in migration abroad for the past 10 years, Assoc. Prof. Stoyanka Cherkezova from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has told the BNR. The birth rate is low and the number of women of childbearing age is declining by about 45,000 a year. During the pandemic, high mortality shifted to younger ages, in contrast to data in Western Europe.

The fact that Bulgarians migrate and do not want to give birth is due to the fact that they do not see their future in Bulgaria, Assoc. Prof. Grigor Sariyski from BAS commented.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A warning for dangerous rainfall has been issued for 12 regions in Southern Bulgaria

On Friday, the lowest temperatures will be between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 12°C in the southeast, around 6°C in Sofia . During the next 24 hours, the weather will remain cloudy. It will rain in almost the entire country. During the day, rainfall..

published on 11/27/25 6:45 PM

Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev released pending trial on €102,258 bond

The Varna District Court has released the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on a financial bond of €102,258. Before the court’s decision was announced, supporters of the mayor and members of the We Continue the Change party gathered outside the..

published on 11/27/25 5:37 PM

Three detained and five police officers injured at last night's protest in Sofia

Three people, including an Italian citizen, were arrested during last night's protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget in front of the National Assembly, the director of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir..

published on 11/27/25 3:50 PM