Bulgaria’s North-West Turning into Ghost Towns

Bulgaria's population declines at a rate of around 0.5% a year, meaning that a decrease by 2 million is to be expected in 50 years. File photo.

Vidin and Montana are the regions with highest population decline in Bulgaria, and among the highest in Europe.

According to the EU’s statistical body Eurostat, Vidin’s population has declined by 17% and that of nearby Montana by 15% in the period between 2008-2011.

The fastest declining populations are in regions of Latvia and Lithuania (22%), as well as Greece’s Ioannina region (20%).

Bulgaria’s capital Sofia has registered a growth of 3.4%, which is the highest in all of the country.

Bulgaria's population declines at a rate of around 0.5% a year, meaning that a decrease by 2 million is to be expected in 50 years.

The latest census in 2011 showed that the country had a population of slightly over 7 280 000.

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