Life skills should be a priority in education for 75% of children

59.8% of births in Bulgaria in 2023 are out of wedlock

published on 5/31/24 6:27 PM

Photo: Archive

As of 31.12.2023 children under 17 in Bulgaria are 1,104,198, or 17.1% of the total population. This is according to data compiled by the National Statistical Institute and UNICEF Bulgaria on the occasion of 1 June - International Children's Day.

In 2023, the number of out-of-wedlock births in Bulgaria is 34,357, or 59.8% of all births. For 81.1% of out-of-wedlock births there are data on the father, which means that these children are most likely raised in a family environment by parents living in cohabitation without marriage.

Regionally, the highest relative share of out-of-wedlock births is in the districts of Lovech (77.8%), Vratsa (77.6%) and Vidin (75.2%). This share is below 50.0% in four districts of the country - Kardzhali (35.9%), Razgrad (45.1%), Blagoevgrad (48.8%) and Silistra (49.4%).

Ahead of the European elections, five child rights organisations - Child Fund Alliance, Eurochild, Save the Children, SOS Children's Villages and UNICEF - approached EU children and young people, including from Bulgaria, to learn their recommendations to the government, the NSI said. It turns out that 75% of children think life skills should be a priority in education.

"We all need to acquire practical skills that can help us in everyday life. For example, it is very important to know how to save money," says Nia, 16, Bulgaria.

70% of children recommend giving them more opportunities to participate in decision-making to ensure that their voices are heard on issues that affect their lives. "Politicians are not interested in children because they cannot vote. That's why they have no idea about our problems," says Harry, 14, Bulgaria. Children urge adults to remember that children are not just the future. Their priorities matter here and now.

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Life skills should be a priority in education for 75% of children

59.8% of births in Bulgaria in 2023 are out of wedlock

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