In the space of 10 years the population of Bulgaria has dwindled by 590,000 people. At the same time the number of poor pensioners has gone up by 128,000, and of poor children – by more than 17,000, Ivan Krastev, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy announced.

• Census has covered just 82% of the population

In his words there is no adequate social protection policy in the country for the most vulnerable – pensioners and children. By way of an example Deputy Minister Krastev pointed to the fact that the monthly child benefits in the country have gone by only 5 Leva (2.56 euro) over the past 10 years. 

At this time 1.6 million Bulgarians are living below the poverty line, and almost 500,000 earn a minimum salary, which accounts for 29% of all working people in the country.