The birth rate is one of the main factors influencing the number and structures of the population. Since the beginning of the 1950s, a permanent trend of decreasing birth rates has been observed in the country. The reasons for this are many and different during the different periods of the demographic development of Bulgaria. The change in the family model, the changing socio-economic environment, the general reduction of the population, in particular of the fertile contingents, the postponement of marriage and the birth of the first child and, last but not least, the emigration from the country mainly of the working-age population.
As of September 7, 2021, 748 000 or 24.7% of women aged 12 and over have had one live birth. This share is higher among women who live in cities (27.1%) than among those who live in villages - 17.6%.
The absolute number and the relative share of women with two children are the highest - 1 353 thousand (44.6%).
204 000 or 6.7% of women have three children each, and this share is twice as high in rural as in urban areas - 11.3 and 5.1%, respectively. 78 000 or 2.6% of women have four or more children.
A little more than a fifth of women - 650 thousand (21.4%) do not have children at the critical moment of the census.
The average number of live births per woman aged 12 and over is 1.47. This indicator is higher in rural (1.75) than in urban areas (1.37).
