Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 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

Bulgarians will travel to China without visas

The People's Republic of China is introducing a visa-free regime for holders of Bulgarian passports for business purposes, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, official visits or transit, for no more than 30 days. The Situation..

published on 11/28/24 8:50 AM

New attempt to elect speaker 18 days after the opening of the 51st National Assembly

Bulgarian MPs are meeting today for the seventh time in an attempt to elect a speaker of the 51st National Assembly after the first six failed to produce a result. This is how the first session of the new parliament, which began on November 11, continues..

published on 11/28/24 7:40 AM

Experts discuss the future of the real estate market in Sofia

The Real Estate Business Forum "Standards of the Future in Our Living Environment" will bring together experts in Sofia today. The focus of the discussions will be on the real estate market in the Bulgarian capital and the region. An analysis of..

published on 11/28/24 5:15 AM