Bulgaria is among the European Union countries experiencing a long-term population decline, according to a report presented by the European Commission. The analysis shows that demographic shrinkage is also affecting Romania, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, eastern regions of Poland and Germany, southern Italy, and agricultural areas of the Iberian Peninsula.
The report points to an ongoing trend of population aging across Europe, including Bulgaria. In the country, the average age of the population reached 47 years last year, compared with 43 years a decade earlier, reflecting the broader demographic changes taking place across the EU.
Bulgaria, Italy and Estonia also face challenges related to the pay levels of healthcare workers caring for elderly people. Specialists in this field receive around 65% of the average national salary, while in most other EU countries their pay remains below 80% of the national average.
According to the European Commission’s projections, life expectancy in Bulgaria could reach 90 years by 2100. The increase in longevity is expected to create additional pressure on healthcare systems, social care services and public budgets.
The Commission warned that Europe’s population will continue to decline and age in the coming decades, creating significant challenges for the labor market and social systems. Europeans are already living longer than ever before, with average life expectancy exceeding 81 years.
