site.btaMortality in Bulgaria Highest in Europe, Child Mortality 1.5 Times Higher than Average

Mortality in Bulgaria is the highest in Europe, and child mortality is 1.5 times higher than the average for Europe, the latest data on mortality and life expectancy in Bulgaria, provided by the Institute for Population and Human Studies with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences shows.

In 2023 and 2024, the crude mortality rate in Bulgaria was 15.7 per mil and 15.6 per mil, respectively, the data shows. The number of deaths in 2024 was 100,736. Although compared to 2018 (16.2 per mil) the mortality rate has decreased slightly, it remains the highest in Europe, where the average crude mortality rate was 10.8 per mil in 2023.

Between 1960 and 2023, life expectancy increased by approximately one year every 10 years and reached 75.8 years. This means that life expectancy has returned to and even slightly surpassed the levels reached before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, life expectancy has increased more slowly compared to other countries in Europe, where it was 81.4 years in 2023.

Infant mortality in Bulgaria in 2024 was the lowest since this indicator is measured – 4.5 per mil, the institute’s data also shows. This decrease is a significant contribution to the extension of life. However, infant mortality was 1.5 times higher than the European average.

There were clear differences between the regions in the country. In 2024, the region with the lowest crude mortality rate was Sofia - city 11.3 per mil, Vidin had the highest rate - 24.3 per mil. Mortality in villages was 1.5 times higher (20.7 per mil) compared to mortality in cities (13.8 per mil). In infant mortality, the differences were even greater, as infant mortality in villages (7 per mil) was nearly 1.7 times higher compared to the same indicator in cities (4.2 per mil) in 2023, the Institute added.