Share

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

published on 5/31/24 6:16 PM

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!

Radio Bulgaria News depopulated villages depopulation villages

More from category

Significant cloudiness and precipitation in the mountains and eastern regions

On Thursday , the lowest temperatures will be between 4 and 9°C; in Sofia – about 4°C. During the day, there will be significant cloudiness over many regions of the country. There will be light rainfall in places in the southeastern..

published on 10/15/25 7:30 PM

Sofia reports 10% rise in tourist arrivals in 2025

Between January and September 2025, Bulgaria’s capital recorded a 10% increase in tourist arrivals and a 6% rise in overnight stays compared with the same period in 2024, according to data from the Unified Tourist Information System (ESTI). The municipal..

published on 10/15/25 6:09 PM

Unemployment in Bulgaria remains low

Bulgaria’s Employment Agency reported a stable labour market in September, with the registered unemployment rate standing at 5.06%, down from 5.2% in August. Around 17,000 people found jobs through labour offices during the month, nearly 3,000 of..

published on 10/15/25 5:57 PM

1
2
3
4
5
6
..
10

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Cloudy
Min: 4 | Max: 15

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

MOST VIEWED

Discussion on the eurozone brings together representatives of various institutions and businesses

The Ministry of Innovation and Growth is hosting a discussion on the topic "The Eurozone as part of the path to economic transformation". The press..

published on 10/14/25 6:06 PM

Sofia reports 10% rise in tourist arrivals in 2025

Between January and September 2025, Bulgaria’s capital recorded a 10% increase in tourist arrivals and a 6% rise in overnight stays compared with the same..

published on 10/15/25 6:09 PM

President Rumen Radev gives awards to three Air Force officers

Three Air Force officers were presented with the Presidential Badge of Honor, BTA reports. The head of state presented the award to..

published on 10/15/25 4:40 PM

shopify analytics ecommerce
tracking