site.btaNational Assembly Discusses Bulgaria's Demographic Outlook

National Assembly Discusses Bulgaria's Demographic Outlook

Sofia, July 31 (BTA) - The National Assembly on Friday debated a
 question about Bulgaria's demographic outlook raised by
Socialist MPs Mihail Mikov and Kornelia Ninova and addressed to
Deputy Prime Minister for Demographic and Social Policy and
Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ivailo Kalfin.

Ninova said that Bulgaria is in a serious demographic crisis,
and the effort to overcome that crisis must become an overriding
 priority. It is due to low birth rates, high mortality, and
youth emigration, she said.

Between 1990 and 2011 the population of Bulgaria decreased by
1.5 million, and by 2060 it will decrease by another 2 million,
while young people will decrease by 310,000 and people of
working age by 350,000, Ninova said. At the same time, people
aged over 65 will increase by 310,000. According to Ninova, a
growing number of children are born out of wedlock, often by
mothers with primary education; abortions are on the rise and
women of childbearing age are becoming increasingly reluctant to
 have children. Bulgaria has the highest mortality in the EU,
which is due to serious diseases, she said.

Ninova further said that in 2012 some 15 per cent of Bulgarians
had no access to health care, and the figure has risen since
then. Since 1990, emigration has taken away 6 per cent of
Bulgaria's population and 10 per cent of the working-age
population.

Hassan Ademov (Movement for Rights and Freedoms), who chairs the
 Labour and Social Policy Committee in the National Assembly,
said birth rates increase when people can expect stability and
economic growth, not when welfare is expanded. Ademov outlined
the characteristics of the Bulgarian demographic problem and
urged measures.

Mariana Todorova (ABV) expressed hope that the current
discussion will not remain just an act of political campaigning.
 She believes that the demographic crisis goes beyond the
problems with fertility, mortality and migration. It has to do
with living standards, she said. The solution must be sought in
social protection, employment, incomes, good education and
health care, among other factors, Todorova said.

Krassimir Karakachanov (Patriotic Front) said forecasts show
that by 2050 ethnic Bulgarians will have become a minority in
Bulgaria. He urged measures to reduce birth rates in
marginalized communities.

Mihail Mikov (BSP-Left Bulgaria) said the demographic question
is very important for the government at a time when the
parameters for next year's national budget are being considered.
 Mikov warned that the demographic issue is emerging as a threat
 to Bulgarian democracy. The current situation is the result of
the government having withdrawn from various sectors over the
last 25 years, he said.

Dessislava Atanassova (GERB) said future measures should concern
 not only the labour market and youth employment, but also
education and health status, living standards and equal
opportunities.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivailo Kalfin proposed three measures to
address the demographic problems. He said scientists are drawing
 up a National Demographic Development Strategy. After an
analysis is carried out by the end of this year, the strategy
should be discussed in detail and then adopted by the National
Assembly. Its implementation should be reviewed on an annual
basis, Kalfin said.

He warned that unless measures are taken to improve the
demographic situation, every year until 2050 Bulgaria will lose
up to 7 per cent of its GDP. The government will submit a bill
on equal opportunities later in the year. At present, women's
pensions are 40 per cent lower than men's pensions due to the
lower incomes earned by female employees, Kalfin said.

The National Assembly approved a resolution requiring the
Council of Ministers by November 30 to propose short- and
medium-term measures to overcome the demographic crisis.