site.btaNational Statistical Institute: 4.7% Increase in External Migration Over Four Months in 2021

Revised national population figures for the period between the 2011 and 2021 censuses show an increase in external migration over four months in 2021, according to a report published by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on Friday.

The revision was prompted by a discrepancy between current demographic statistics and the 2021 census results. This difference is primarily attributed to unrecorded external migration, estimated at 4.7% of the population as of December 31, 2021 compared to the census data from September 7, 2021. In a regional aspect, the difference varies from a decrease in the population of 0.6% for the Vratsa region to 12.3% for the Kardzhali region.

Shumen ranks second after Kardzhali with a 10.6% population decrease, followed by Dobrich at 10.3%, Targovishte at 9.2% and Veliko Tarnovo at 8.1%. Among the lower ranked in the population decrease category are Montana at 1.8%, Kyustendil at 1.5%, Pleven at 1%, Sofia Region at 0.7%, and Vratsa at 0.6%.

The purpose of the population revision is to produce estimates for the number of the population as of December 31 for each calendar year for the period 2012-2021, consistent with the logic of the demographic events that occurred during the period birth rate, the death rate and migration, as well as reflecting the results of the last available census, NSI said.

NSI data for 2023 shows that Bulgaria's population as of December 31 was 6,445,481, representing 1.4% of the population of the European Union. Compared to the previous year, the population decreased by 0.03%, or a total of 2,229 people.