The population of Bulgaria at the end of 2024 is 6,437,360 people, and compared to the previous year, the country has lost 8,121 people or 0.13%. This is shown by the latest data from the current demographic statistics. The trend in the birth rate is particularly worrying – 53,727 births were registered, which is 3,769 (6.6%) fewer than in 2023.
Academician Petar Ivanov, director of the Demographic Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Arts (BANI), analyzed the demographic situation in the country, presenting lesser-known aspects of the problem, dunavmost.com listed.
According to the expert, the number of deaths in 2024 is 100,736 people, which corresponds to a total mortality rate of 15.6‰. Although this is a lower figure than in previous years, he points out that the decrease in the number of deaths is actually due to the fact that “there is no one to die in our country”.
Academician Ivanov emphasizes that ethnic Bulgarians are decreasing by 21 people per hour, while the Roma population is increasing by 4 people per hour. This leads to an overall decrease of 17 people per hour, 420 people per day, or about 150,000 people per year.
The data on abortions are particularly worrying. According to the expert, 6 million abortions have been performed in Bulgaria in 65 years. In 1980, 156,000 abortions were registered annually, and in recent years their number has been about 23,000. According to the latest data from the National Center for Public Health and Analysis, in 2024 about 17,000 abortions were performed in Bulgaria – by nearly 1,000 fewer than in 2023.
"While abortions are to some extent or completely prohibited in Catholic countries around the world, in our country, since 1956, when they were permitted, an average of 100,000 Bulgarian women have artificially terminated their pregnancies every year," the academician points out.
Academician Ivanov also notes alarming data about the nation's health. Bulgaria ranks first in the EU in mortality from cardiovascular diseases. According to NSI data, over 60% of all deaths in the country in 2024 (61,100 cases) are due to diseases of the circulatory system.
The statistics for cancer patients are particularly alarming. According to the expert, 410,000 people in Bulgaria suffer from cancer, which represents 6% of the population.
Regional differences in mortality are drastic. While the average rate for the country is 15.5‰, in Sofia it is 11.6‰, and in the villages of the Vidin region it reaches 37.1‰, in Gabrovo - 34.1‰, in Pernik - 31.1‰, and in Yambol - 28.6‰.
The expert criticizes the current approach to demographic problems, pointing out that despite numerous strategies and programs, Bulgaria continues to occupy first place in the world in terms of population decline and disappearance.
"The fight against the demographic catastrophe in our country is touchingly stupid and ridiculous, especially considering that people who have never even heard of it are still responsible for demography," academician Ivanov is critical.
In his words, hundreds of scientists and millions of leva for funding have not led to positive results. Despite the developed national strategies for demographic development, Bulgaria's demographic indicators continue to deteriorate.
According to the expert, the situation requires radical changes in the approach to demographic policy. He calls for the creation of a ministry of demography and ethnic issues, citing examples of countries such as Poland, Hungary and Russia that have taken serious measures to address such challenges.
The expert emphasizes that without decisive action, the demographic crisis will continue to deepen, questioning the future of the nation.