Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria's infant mortality rate falling, but still above EU average

Christina de Bruin
Photo: BGNES

Data on child mortality in Bulgaria show a significant decrease: between 2000 and 2022, the under-5 mortality rate fell from 18 per thousand to 6 per thousand. This is according to the latest report of the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). 

For children up to 1 year of age, the rate is 4.8‰, which, despite the positive downward trend, is still significantly higher than the EU average (3.2‰ in 2021). There are significant regional differences in the indicator, with some administrative districts (e.g. Sliven and Montana) more than twice the national average. According to Christina de Bruin, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria, serious investment in primary health care is needed if Bulgaria's infant mortality rate is to reach the European average. 



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

Delyan Peevski

''DPS – New Beginning'' urges that local taxes remain unchanged in 2026

“I call on all representatives of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms in local government — mayors and municipal councilors — to ensure security and predictability for the people and to take the necessary steps to keep all local taxes and fees..

published on 11/25/25 10:02 AM

Bulgaria rises in global digital quality of life ranking

Bulgaria has climbed to 11th place in this year’s Digital Quality of Life 2025 (DQL) index published by Surfshark, up from 18th last year, BTA reported. The index evaluates countries’ digital well-being across five dimensions: fixed broadband..

published on 11/25/25 9:45 AM
Todor Chobanov

Bulgaria expects the return of over 2,700 antiques from abroad

Around 90% of the antiques seized during an international operation targeting a cultural property trafficking network will be returned to Bulgaria, Deputy Minister of Culture Todor Chobanov told “Nova TV”.   “This is an unprecedented operation in..

published on 11/25/25 9:22 AM