“The country is going to attract young, educated and active people from the Bulgarian diasporas in Ukraine and Moldova as a measure for tackling the demographic crisis,” said Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ivanka Shalapatova at the conference Handling the demographic emergency – The role of science, governments and citizens, organized by The Economist in Athens.

A large-scale programme for preventing curable diseases, restricting harmful habits which result in a higher death rate, preventive work with regard to early fertility loss – these are some of the measures set down by the government. Others concern the transformation of the system of education so as to be adequate to the modern world and to help keep young and active people in this country from emigrating. “It must meet the requirements of a market of labour which will, very soon, be shaped by AI,” Minister Shalapatova said.

The government’s demographic policy also includes the formation of a housing policy targeted at young families, as well as of a transport, social and health infrastructure tailored to their needs, and access to cultural and educational opportunities.