Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria's demographic crisis hits GDP

Negative growth accounts for 45% of Bulgaria's average annual GDP decline, BAS reports

Photo: BTA

Population decline has had a strong adverse impact on GDP growth since 2009, with an average negative effect of around 0.9 percentage points per year. This corresponds to about 45 per cent of the average annual GDP growth rate from 2010 to 2021, according to research by the Institute for Population and Human Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, as reported by BTA. According to the authors of the study, the negative effect is mainly due to emigration and the ageing of the population. 

The scientists warn that without changes in economic conditions and policies, there is a risk that this negative effect will continue and even worsen after 2035 due to the acceleration of population ageing.

Population decline is driven both by global trends, such as fertility decline and ageing, and by country-specific factors. The fertility rate remains below the replacement level, despite its slow recovery since the beginning of the new millennium. Bulgaria has one of the highest mortality rates in the European Union and the lowest life expectancy at 74.2 years, compared with an EU average of 80.6 years

Moreover, the population is declining due to negative natural growth and net migration, especially in the period 2012-2019. Measures are needed with a long-term effect, such as stimulating fertility and improving the health status of the population, as well as those with a short-term effect, related to the management of migration processes. Policies aimed at improving employment and increasing labour market participation are also needed, the authors note.



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

Bulgaria's Ministry of Tourism to create a map for hard-to-reach tourist sites

The Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism will work to create a map of important, but hard-to-reach tourist and cultural-historical sites. The goal is then to insist on financing the necessary repairs and improvements that will facilitate visitors' access to..

published on 2/17/25 10:46 AM

Sofia has a chance to be elected "European Capital of Democracy"

The cities of Sofia, Rotterdam and Cascais will compete for the title of "European Capital of Democracy" in 2026 . The selection will take place until March 12, 2025, by over 4,500 juries in 47 countries. Barcelona was the winner of the title in..

published on 2/17/25 9:55 AM
Vice President Iotova

Bulgaria not invited to Paris for the European forum on Ukraine

A surprising meeting, personally I think it should take place with all leaders within the EU and the UK. This was commented to BTA by Vice President Iliana Iotova on the occasion of the meeting of European leaders on Ukraine convened by French..

published on 2/17/25 9:05 AM