Bulgaria
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Bulgaria experienced a notable decline in its total maternal rate in 2024, falling to 85.8% from 90% the previous year. Despite this drop, the country still holds the highest maternal rate both globally and within Europe. Conversely, the lifetime childlessness rate rose sharply to 14.2%, marking a significant year-on-year increase, though it remains the lowest in Europe. These contrasting shifts indicate complex dynamics in family formation and fertility patterns across the country.
- The total fertility gradient rose to 18.1% in 2024, showing a 4.1 percentage point increase from 2023 yet remains Europe’s lowest.
- Average maternal age decreased slightly to 27.6 years, positioning Bulgaria among countries with the youngest mothers in Europe.
- Total births dropped by 3,507 from the prior year, falling to 52,909 in 2024.
- The completed parity mean (CPM) remained nearly stable at 1.98 children per woman, considerably below the 1970s baseline of 2.22.
In 2024, Bulgaria shows a complex demographic profile with the highest maternal rates and longest societal half-life globally, yet also the lowest fertility gap and childlessness rates in Europe.
- Highest total maternal rate worldwide (86%)
- Among lowest children per mother in Europe (ranked 7/31)
- Young average maternal age at birth (ranked 29/31 in Europe)
- Lowest fertility gap globally and in Europe
- Longest societal half-life globally (ranked 1/38)
Key fertility indicators — Bulgaria
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 85.8% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 14.2% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 27.6 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 55 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The total maternal rate (TMR) in 2024 stands at 85.8%, marking a decrease of 4.2 percentage points from the previous year. Over the five-year span from 2020 to 2024, this rate has shown an upward trend, averaging 85.6%. When compared to the 1970s average of 97.7%, the current level is lower by approximately 11.9 percentage points. Bulgaria's TMR is the highest worldwide among 38 countries and also leads all 31 European nations in this metric.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 95.5% | 2010 | 83.5% |
| 1980 | 98.8% | 2020 | 81.4% |
| 1990 | 87.5% | 2023 | 90.0% |
| 2000 | 76.0% | 2024 | 85.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, the average number of children per mother in Bulgaria stands at 1.98, showing minimal change from 1.98 recorded the year before. Over the past five years, this figure has been on an upward trend, with a five-year average of 1.95. Compared to the 1970s average of 2.22, the current rate is approximately 0.24 lower. Among a group of 38 countries worldwide, Bulgaria is ranked 9th, while within Europe, it positions near the lower end, at 7th out of 31.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.27 | 2010 | 1.85 |
| 1980 | 2.07 | 2020 | 1.91 |
| 1990 | 2.03 | 2023 | 1.98 |
| 2000 | 1.73 | 2024 | 1.98 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth in 2024 stands at 27.6 years, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.2 years since the previous year. During the last five years, the AMA has shown an upward trend, averaging 27.2 years. This figure is notably 5.6 years greater than the average maternal age recorded in the 1970s. While the number has risen over recent decades, Bulgaria continues to rank among countries with the lowest average maternal ages worldwide, placing 36th out of 38. Similarly, within Europe, it maintains one of the lowest positions at 29th out of 31.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 21.99 | 2010 | 25.64 |
| 1980 | 21.85 | 2020 | 26.41 |
| 1990 | 22.01 | 2023 | 27.78 |
| 2000 | 23.48 | 2024 | 27.62 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2024, Bulgaria's Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stands at 18.1%, corresponding to a TFR of 1.70. This marks an increase of 4.1 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the average TFG has been on a downward trend, recorded at 19.4% during 2020–2024. Compared to the 1970s average of 0.2%, the current level is about 17.9 percentage points higher. The lowest TFG for Bulgaria was observed between 1973 and 1979, at 0.0%. Among all countries worldwide, Bulgaria holds the lowest TFG ranking at 38 out of 38.
Within Europe, it also ranks last at 31 out of 31 for this metric.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 25.3% |
| 1980 | 1.0% | 2020 | 25.1% |
| 1990 | 14.1% | 2023 | 14.0% |
| 2000 | 36.5% | 2024 | 18.1% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Bulgaria’s SHL stands at 103.0 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 34.2 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been rising, averaging 100.4 years. Compared with the 1970s average (459.9 years), SHL is now shorter by about 356.9 years.
Globally, Bulgaria has the longest Societal Half-Life (ranked 1/38).Within Europe, Bulgaria has the longest SHL value (ranked 1/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Bulgaria, there would be 55 great-grandchildren, representing a -45.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Bulgaria has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 38/38). Within Europe, Bulgaria has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 31/31).
Birth trajectory
Following the birth pattern observed in 2024, the total number of births is projected to decrease from 52,909 in that year to about 26,454 by 2127, marking a 50% decline. This downward trend is expected to continue, with births dropping to roughly 13,227 by 2230—a 75% reduction—and further falling to 5,291 by 2366, representing a 90% decrease. These figures are calculated without accounting for migration.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
By 2024, the lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Bulgaria stands at 14.2%, marking an increase of 4.2 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, however, the overall trend has been downward, with an average TCR of 14.4% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 1970s average of 2.3%, the current figure is higher by roughly 11.9 percentage points. Among all countries globally, Bulgaria has the lowest childlessness rate, ranking 38th out of 38. The same trend holds within Europe, where it ranks last out of 31 countries for this metric.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 4.5% | 2010 | 16.5% |
| 1980 | 1.2% | 2020 | 18.6% |
| 1990 | 12.5% | 2023 | 10.0% |
| 2000 | 24.0% | 2024 | 14.2% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
In 2024, Bulgaria recorded 52,909 total births, which is 3,507 fewer than in 2023. The number of births has been declining over the last five years, with an average of 56,528 annually during that period. When compared to the 1970s average of 139,501 births, this represents a decline of 86,592 births, or a 62.1% decrease.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 138.5k | 2010 | 75.2k |
| 1980 | 127.9k | 2020 | 58.8k |
| 1990 | 104.7k | 2023 | 56.4k |
| 2000 | 73.3k | 2024 | 52.9k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Bulgaria’s Birthgap Retirement Indicator reached 46.8% in 2024, marking a significant increase of 7.3 percentage points from the previous year. This indicator has shown an upward trend over the last five years, with an average of 42.6% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1970s average of -14.9%, the current BRI stands approximately 61.7 percentage points higher. On a global scale, Bulgaria holds the 14th position out of 35 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 11th among 30 nations.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -45.9% | 2010 | 26.4% |
| 1980 | -10.9% | 2020 | 43.8% |
| 1990 | -6.5% | 2023 | 39.4% |
| 2000 | 40.6% | 2024 | 46.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
