Share

Text size

Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Analysis of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences with alarming insights

Bulgaria in 10 years - overcrowded cities and depopulated territories

published on 5/31/24 6:16 PM

Photo: BGNES

Huge territories in Bulgaria are already abandoned, their people are gradually dying out. This is shown by an analysis of the declining demographic and economic viability of 75% of the municipalities in Bulgaria by the Institute for Population and Human Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

The main reasons for this are advanced biological ageing and lack of birth rates in some settlements. There are areas where not a single child has been born in the last 30 years, BTA reported.

In the next decade, Bulgaria will end up with several overpopulated urban centres at the expense of depopulated remaining territories that are losing population and resources, the analysis shows. The regions most affected by depopulation are Western and North-Western Bulgaria, the Strandzha-Sakar and Central Balkan regions, the towns of Gabrovo and Lovech.

According to the experts, in order to solve this problem, information needs to be gathered and a development strategy needs to be drawn up for the specific regions. Among the ideas is the creation of "model" settlements to attract people to live there.

According to the researchers, the period around the Covid-19 pandemic saw a so-called "reverse migration" - from cities to villages - but these were short-term waves.

Read also:

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria News depopulated villages depopulation villages

More from category

Cold morning, sunshine expected during the day

Wednesday's minimum temperatures will be 1–6°C , with Sofia at 1°C. Some lowland areas may have reduced visibility in the morning. It will be mostly sunny during the day, with a light to moderate south-westerly wind. Maximum temperatures will reach..

published on 10/28/25 7:05 PM

Switzerland supports Bulgaria's migration policies with over 21 million Swiss Francs

Switzerland is providing financial assistance worth 21,350,000 Swiss Francs to support Bulgaria's migration policies. "As EU's external border we have the responsibility to prevent the entry of persons who may pose a security threat, and on the other..

published on 10/28/25 6:50 PM

Draft Budget Signals Lower Minimum Wage but Higher Pension Contributions

Bulgaria’s draft social security budget indicates that the minimum wage from 1 January 2026 will be lower than the level set out in the Labour Code , BNR “Horizont” reports. According to sources, the minimum wage will be €605 rather than €620 (BGN..

published on 10/28/25 4:48 PM

1
2
3
4
5
6
..
10

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Partly Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 17

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

MOST VIEWED

Strong earthquake in western Turkey felt in southern Bulgaria

An earthquake with a 6.1 magnitude on the Richter scale hit Western Turkey at 22.48 hours last night. There were over 40 aftershocks after the..

published on 10/28/25 9:42 AM

Draft Budget Signals Lower Minimum Wage but Higher Pension Contributions

Bulgaria’s draft social security budget indicates that the minimum wage from 1 January 2026 will be lower than the level set out in the Labour Code ,..

published on 10/28/25 4:48 PM

The Bulgarian section of the Vertical Gas Corridor to be completed by end of 2026, Energy minister says

Bulgaria’s Vertical Gas Corridor project is on track for completion by the end of 2026 , according to Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov, who stressed that..

published on 10/28/25 2:55 PM

shopify analytics ecommerce
tracking