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

Bulgaria's infant mortality rate falling, but still above EU average

Christina de Bruin
Photo: BGNES

Data on child mortality in Bulgaria show a significant decrease: between 2000 and 2022, the under-5 mortality rate fell from 18 per thousand to 6 per thousand. This is according to the latest report of the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). 

For children up to 1 year of age, the rate is 4.8‰, which, despite the positive downward trend, is still significantly higher than the EU average (3.2‰ in 2021). There are significant regional differences in the indicator, with some administrative districts (e.g. Sliven and Montana) more than twice the national average. According to Christina de Bruin, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria, serious investment in primary health care is needed if Bulgaria's infant mortality rate is to reach the European average. 



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

Kiril Petkov

PP-DB will not negotiate with "Vazrazhdane" for a new government

From his Facebook profile, the co-chairman of "We Continue the Change" Kiril Petkov announced that the PP-DB coalition will not negotiate with "Vazrazhdane" to form a cabinet. He defined as "media suggestions" the claims that such..

published on 7/6/24 2:20 PM

Ukrainian embassy urges officials not to use the topic of war for political purposes

The Ukrainian Embassy in Bulgaria has called on officials and political forces to refrain from using the topic of the war for political purposes. The diplomatic mission emphasizes that Ukrainians pay the most terrible price every day..

published on 7/6/24 11:28 AM

Most Bulgarians support the country’s membership in NATO

If a referendum was held on whether to continue the country's membership in NATO, 59% of Bulgarians would answer affirmatively, according to a study by the Alliance. According to this indicator, Bulgaria ranks penultimate among..

published on 7/6/24 10:41 AM