site.bta Bulgaria Has One of Lowest Birth Rates in Europe: 9 Per Population of 1,000

Bulgaria Has One of Lowest Birth Rates in Europe: 9 Per Population of 1,000

Sofia, February 17 (BTA) - Bulgaria's birth rate of nine per a population of 1,000 is one of the lowest in Europe while the mortality rate, which is 15.3 per a population of 1,000 is much higher than the average rate of 9.8 in Europe, Deputy Health Minister Galin Kamenov said on Friday, presenting the situation of the Public Health sector, its problems and possible solutions.

The leading cause of death in Bulgaria with 65.4 per cent continue to be cardio-vascular diseases. The child mortality rate has been going down in the past ten years but at 6.8 per a population of 1,000 is twice higher than in Europe.

A national poll into the health hazards of 2014 showed that one in every three adult Bulgarians smoke, half of whom have started the habit between 16 and 20 years of age. One in four people regularly drink alcohol and the starting age is 13 years. More than 70 per cent of the population is not physically active enough. Intake of salt, fats and sugar is high.

Kamenov said that a bill is planned to be drafted for the introduction of additional charges on sugary drinks. Another proposal is to start negotiations with bread makers and milk producers to reduce salt in their products, and to draft a bill on phased abolishment of transfats in processed foods.