Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Life skills should be a priority in education for 75% of children

59.8% of births in Bulgaria in 2023 are out of wedlock

Photo: Archive

As of 31.12.2023 children under 17 in Bulgaria are 1,104,198, or 17.1% of the total population. This is according to data compiled by the National Statistical Institute and UNICEF Bulgaria on the occasion of 1 June - International Children's Day. 

In 2023, the number of out-of-wedlock births in Bulgaria is 34,357, or 59.8% of all births.  For 81.1% of out-of-wedlock births there are data on the father, which means that these children are most likely raised in a family environment by parents living in cohabitation without marriage. 

Regionally, the highest relative share of out-of-wedlock births is in the districts of Lovech (77.8%), Vratsa (77.6%) and Vidin (75.2%). This share is below 50.0% in four districts of the country - Kardzhali (35.9%), Razgrad (45.1%), Blagoevgrad (48.8%) and Silistra (49.4%).


Ahead of the European elections, five child rights organisations - Child Fund Alliance, Eurochild, Save the Children, SOS Children's Villages and UNICEF - approached EU children and young people, including from Bulgaria, to learn their recommendations to the government, the NSI said. It turns out that 75% of children think life skills should be a priority in education. 


"We all need to acquire practical skills that can help us in everyday life. For example, it is very important to know how to save money," says Nia, 16, Bulgaria. 

70% of children recommend giving them more opportunities to participate in decision-making to ensure that their voices are heard on issues that affect their lives. "Politicians are not interested in children because they cannot vote. That's why they have no idea about our problems," says Harry, 14, Bulgaria. Children urge adults to remember that children are not just the future. Their priorities matter here and now.




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

Vice President Iliana Iotova

Vice President Iotova calls for leadership meetings to form a government

''It is important that Bulgaria emerges from timelessness'', Vice President Iliana Iotova said with regard to the negotiations for forming a government in Bulgaria . ''We should wait for the end of the government formation negotiations and see what..

published on 6/18/24 1:32 PM

Bulgaria to invest more than $2.3 billion in defence by the end of 2024

Bulgaria will invest 2.18 per cent of its GDP in defence this year , according to documents released by NATO ahead of its July 2024 summit in Washington.  The country's 2024 defence spending is expected to be $2.325 billion , up from $1.992 billion..

published on 6/18/24 11:18 AM

Petrohan Pass still closed to lorries over 12 tonnes

The ban on heavy goods vehicles travelling through the Petrohan Pass remains in for ce, according to the Road Infrastructure Agency, which said there was no order to change the traffic rules. A new protest by local residents against the opening of..

published on 6/18/24 11:03 AM