site.btaAverage Life Expectancy in Bulgaria Continues to Rise

Average life expectancy in Bulgaria is increasing, according to the 2024 Report on the Implementation of the updated Demographic Development Strategy of Bulgaria (2012-2030), which was approved by the government. Life expectancy among men stands at 71.9 years, while for women it is 7.4 years higher, at 79.3 years. Compared with 2014, life expectancy has increased by 0.7 years for men and by 1 year for women.

The report includes information on implemented measures and activities to encourage higher birth rates, improve the overall health of the population, reduce overall, premature, infant and maternal mortality, ensure employment and reduce poverty, as well as adapt social systems to demographic change and population ageing. The measures are aimed at positively influencing key demographic indicators, birth rates, mortality and migration, and at improving the quality of human resources.

A key focus of the report is support for families and children. In 2024, one-off allowances for students were paid to nearly 250,000 children. More than BGN 669 million was paid out in social insurance benefits for pregnancy and maternity, while over BGN 662 million was allocated for benefits under the Family Allowances for Children Act.

The data show that in 2024 Bulgaria’s population decreased by 8,121 people. At the end of the year, the country’s population stood at 6,437,360, accounting for 1.4% of the population of the European Union.

In 2024, a total of 52,189 people changed their usual place of residence from abroad to Bulgaria. Of these, 51.5% were citizens of non-EU countries, 34.9% were Bulgarian nationals, and 13.6% were citizens of EU Member States.