Demographic processes in Bulgaria after EU Accession and problems of human resource development in rural areas (based on the European zoning typology)

Dilyana Mitova

Abstract: The purpose of the present study is to analyze and highlight some of the main features and characteristics of the demographic processes that have taken place in the rural areas in the last ten years and to outline the main problems. A number of studies have identified alarming processes in the demographic development of rural areas in Bulgaria, which despite the measures in force under the Rural Development Plan (RDP) continue after Bulgaria’s accession to the EU. The role of human resources in rural areas, their quantity and quality, is essential to meet the objectives set out in the CAP and specifically in the RDP. That is why the study and analysis of the problems related to the demographic processes in our country are gaining momentum. The subject of the survey is the demographic processes in the predominantly rural (as well as in the intermediate and urban) regions of Bulgaria. The approach used is based on the methodology of typology in defining urban-rural areas under Eurostat. In Bulgaria 7 areas are identified as predominantly rural areas, 20 ареас - as intermediate areas and 1 area - as a predominantly urban area. In order to assess the development of demographic processes in rural areas, a set of demographic indicators, which are part of the Eurostat demographic statistics, are used - namely birth rate, mortality rate, natural increase index, net migration index, total change index, coefficients of age dependency and demographic aging, etc., while at the same time a comparative analysis has been made on some indicators in Bulgaria and in some EU countries. Characteristics and problems, as well as the role and impact of the policy (CAP) on different demographic processes in the Bulgarian rural regions have been identified. The main results of the survey are related to the identification of the demographic processes taking place in the rural areas in the last ten years and the outline of the main problems. 82% of the population in our country lives mainly in rural and intermediate areas (13% in predominantly rural and 69% in intermediate). During the period 2007-2016, the decrease in the number and density of the population in Bulgaria in the predominantly rural and intermediate regions continues. This decrease is due to negative natural growth and migration. The risk of depopulation of large areas in rural areas is rising, with rarely populated areas (villages and smallest towns) the most affected. At the same time, the process of demographic aging of the population in these regions continues as well as the long-term trend of decreasing birth rates and the high mortality rate in Bulgaria.

Keywords: birth rate; demographic processes; intermediate regions; mortality rate; population; predominantly rural regions

Date published: 2018-11-21