site.btaAverage Life Expectancy in Bulgaria Rises to 74.7 Years

Sofia, November 15 (BTA) - The average life expectancy in Bulgaria has increased to 74.7 years, child mortality is declining and fertility rate is close to the EU average, suggests a 2016 report on the implementation of the updated National Demographic Development Strategy, the government information reported Wednesday.

According to data of the National Statistical Institute, by December 2016, Bulgaria's population was 7,101,859 people which accounts for 1.4 per cent of the entire EU population. By comparison with 2015 it declined by 51,925 people or 0.7 per cent. Similarly to previous years the decline was due to the negative population growth and not emigration.

In 2016, 64,984 children were born. By comparison with 2015, their number was by 966 down or 1.5 per cent. The average age for first time mothers increased from 26.9 years to 27 years in 2016. The total fertility rate was at 1.5. The average live births for a woman at a fertile age is 1.54.By comparison in 2001 it was 1.24 and in 2015 - 1.53.

The child and overall mortality declined. In 2016, 423 children under one died. Child mortality rate dropped to 6.5 per 1,000 which is the lowest recorded so far. In 2001 the rate was 14.4 per 1,000, in 2005 - 10.4 per 1,000 and in 2015 - 6.6 per 1,000. By comparison with 2015 death rate dropped by 2.3 per cent or 2,537.

Living standard and the quality of life have improved. In 2016 the average annual household income was 5,167 leva, up by 4.3 per cent from 2015. Between 2008 and 2016 the average household member income increased nearly 1.5 times.