NEED FOR A NEW VISION ON DEMOGRAPHIC POLICY IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

Abstract

According to a preliminary assessment of the National Statistical Institute for the number of the population of Bulgaria as of 09/07/2021. (www.nsi.bg), according to the last census of the population and housing stock from 09/07/2021. until 10.10.2021, 1,677,139 people live in the villages. This represents 25.7% of the population of Bulgaria, which as of the indicated date is 6,520,314 people. There are several negative demographic trends, among which is the depopulation of rural areas. The stabilization of the demographic situation in these areas, as an important and necessary condition for the sustainable development of rural areas, necessitates the preparation and implementation of a new vision on the demographic situation in rural areas. This vision must include new innovative approaches and policies of a demographic nature. These approaches must be prepared and implemented as a component of the national policy for the sustainable development of rural areas and overcoming their depopulation in the context of the national demographic policy