Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 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

Cabinet to reallocate security service cars to President’s administration

The Council of Ministers has proposed transferring vehicles from the National Security Service (NSO) to the Presidential Administration through a legislative change, Bulgaria National Radio reporter Tsvetelina Stoyanova reported. This would not put a..

published on 10/24/25 2:04 PM
Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia

Regular flights from Sofia to the US expected from spring 2026

The first regular direct flights between Bulgaria and the United States are expected to begin in April 2026, Transport and Communications Minister Grozdan Karadzhov said during the national discussion “Tourism and Air Connectivity: Traditional..

published on 10/24/25 1:45 PM

The sale of Lukoil’s assets in Bulgaria will take place only after a decision by the Council of Ministers and approval from DANS

Bulgaria’s National Assembly approved at second reading amendments to the Investment Promotion Act. Under the changes, the assets of the Russian company Lukoil in Bulgaria can be sold only after a decision by the Council of Ministers and following a..

published on 10/24/25 12:04 PM