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

Analysis of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences with alarming insights

Bulgaria in 10 years - overcrowded cities and depopulated territories

Photo: BGNES

Huge territories in Bulgaria are already abandoned, their people are gradually dying out. This is shown by an analysis of the declining demographic and economic viability of 75% of the municipalities in Bulgaria by the Institute for Population and Human Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
The main reasons for this are advanced biological ageing and lack of birth rates in some settlements. There are areas where not a single child has been born in the last 30 years, BTA reported. 

In the next decade, Bulgaria will end up with several overpopulated urban centres at the expense of depopulated remaining territories that are losing population and resources, the analysis shows. The regions most affected by depopulation are Western and North-Western Bulgaria, the Strandzha-Sakar and Central Balkan regions, the towns of Gabrovo and Lovech. 

According to the experts, in order to solve this problem, information needs to be gathered and a development strategy needs to be drawn up for the specific regions. Among the ideas is the creation of "model" settlements to attract people to live there. 

According to the researchers, the period around the Covid-19 pandemic saw a so-called "reverse migration" - from cities to villages - but these were short-term waves.


Read also:




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

German foreign minister Johann Wadeful in Sofia

Germany's foreign minister Johann Wadephul comments on processes in the Middle East during Sofia visit

During his visit to Bulgaria, which coincided with the signing of the Gaza agreement in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul  commented on the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Bulgaria and..

published on 10/14/25 9:15 AM
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul (left) with Bulgarian foregn minister Georg Georgiev

Bulgaria and Germany discuss the future “European Sky Shield” system

The relations between Bulgaria and Germany are excellent. Germany is among our closest strategic partners. This was stated by Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev after a meeting with his visiting German counterpart Johann Wadephul. The two discussed..

published on 10/14/25 8:50 AM
Silvi Kirilov

Minister of Health to inaugurate helipad at Gabrovo Multiprofile Hospital

Health Minister, Silvi Kirilov, will officially open the newly built helicopter landing pad at the Dr Tota Venkova Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment in Gabrovo today, the hospital's press office has announced. The helipad was certified at the..

published on 10/14/25 8:15 AM