Bulgaria on Brink of Demographic Collapse – Study

Bulgaria has one of highest average age of its population in Europe, file photo

The melting of the Bulgarian nation continues with the forecast that there will be only 5 million people in the country in 2060 with 60% of them over the age of 65.

The forecast is written in the National Strategy for Demographic Development of Bulgaria which aims at implementing concrete measures to prevent the demographic catastrophe.

The last Census listed the number of Bulgarians at 7 280 000 people.

The collapse is attributed mainly to low birth rate and high mortality rate, followed by emigration.

Due to the above, the Bulgarian nation is ageing. Bulgaria has one of highest average age of its population in Europe – 42 years and 8 months. 19% of the population consists of retirees over the age of 65.

Studies show this ageing is harmful for the economy as the increasing number of retirees slows the economic growth of Bulgaria by 0.7% annually.

In addition, the geographic distribution becomes more and more unbalanced. For the first time the number of rural residents fell below 2 million and 1/3 of the population now lives in the 4 largest cities.

In 2001, to every 100 going into retirement there were 124 young people entering the labor market, while in 2012 the latter were only 64.

In addition, in 2012 the number of women of childbearing age in the country fell by 26 000, compared to 2011, and by 280 000 since 2001.