Population decline in Bulgaria close to zero for the first time since 1985

Associate Professor Spas Tashev: Bulgaria should attract workers from its diaspora first

published on 10/22/24 12:34 PM

Photo: BTA

The report of the Council of Ministers on the implementation of the "Demographic Development Strategy" in 2023 indicates that for the first time in 38 years, the ratio between population growth and decline in Bulgaria is almost zero. According to Associate Professor Spas Tashev from the Institute for Population and Human Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, there has been a slight, slow, but steady improvement in demographic indicators over the years.

‘’As a scientist who deals with demography, I have expected that such a turnaround would eventually occur and that Bulgaria would begin to have positive population growth"– Associate Professor Tashev said in an interview with Radio Bulgaria. – According to the data presented, we are very close to zero population growth, but the growth is still negative. The data for last year shows a population decrease of 1,948 people. Over the years, the population of the country has been decreasing by 50,000 to 70,000 people annually, which meant that an average-sized city in Bulgaria disappeared each year", says the demographer, adding that the data is based on current demographic statistics that take into account four processes occurring among the population: birth rates, mortality, emigration and immigration.

Associate Professor Spas Tashev There is no significant change in the birth rate/death rate ratio, as a population decline of over 43,000 people was registered. So, the population continues to melt down, notes Associate Professor Tashev. Last year, 57,500 children were born in the country, while 101,000 Bulgarians passed away. The trends regarding migration are positive. In 2023, around 164,500 migrants settled in the country, while 123,000 people went abroad. The highest number of new residents is in the districts of Kardzhali, Varna and Burgas.

The town of Tsaribrod in the Western Outlands, Serbia

Associate Professor Tashev calls on the state to utilize its demographic reserves from the Bulgarian diaspora in the near neighborhood.

"We have Bulgarians in the near neighborhood. I mean the Western Outlands in Serbia, which are located 50 km from Sofia. We have Bulgarians in North Macedonia, very close to the towns of Kyustendil, Blagoevgrad and Pernik—it's not a problem for them to come to Sofia. We have Bulgarians in Kosovo and Albania. I checked with the National Employment Agency. It turned out that only one employment contract for a Bulgarian from Albania is registered, while according to our legislation, people of Bulgarian descent do not need a work permit to work in Bulgaria. The employer is simply required to register such an employment contract with the National Employment Agency. Why aren’t these people coming? Because we create obstacles. We do not certify their Bulgarian origin. This is a huge conflict, a problem in our country that practically reaches anti-Bulgarian dimensions."

Spas Tashev referred to Bulgarians in Albania and Kosovo who live in mountainous areas. Their livelihood is primarily based on mountain farming. Following the general trend of urbanization, more than 80% of them have left their homelands since 1990 and migrated to large cities in Albania or to Western Europe.

''Where is Bulgaria's opportunity? Part of the population in Albania and Kosovo has a traditional inclination toward labor migration"– the scholar recalls. – This means that the male population, mainly engaged in construction, leaves their homeplaces during the active season, while the rest of their family members stay in those areas because there are still schools there. Their wives, grandparents and other family members can stay there. The income they receive is sufficient, given the standards in Albania and Kosovo, to support their families throughout the year. Thus, through seasonal migrations—which should be the modern equivalent of the traditional labor migration—we can attract a population that can mainly be used in tourism. During the rest of the time, these people can stay in their homeplace, cultivate their land and maintain their properties. The short distances between Bulgaria and their settlements allow for this type of migratory relationship to be maintained, preventing the depopulation of these areas", Associate Professor Spas Tashev went on to say.

The village of Borje in Albania In Spas Tashev’s view, that will strengthen the historical connection between Bulgaria and its diaspora. However, according to the scholar, the political instability in the country and the frequent changes of parliaments and caretaker cabinets impedes the formation of a stable demographic policy aimed at attracting the Bulgarian diaspora to the national economy.

Translated and published by Kostadin Atanasov