Fertility Rate: Bulgaria
Bulgaria's fertility rate is currently 1.72 births per woman as of 2024. # Bulgaria Fertility Rate Bulgaria's fertility rate stands at 1.
Current (2024)
1.72 births per woman
-5.0% y/y
Peak (1960)
2.31 births per woman
Low (1997)
1.09 births per woman
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Fertility Rate — Bulgaria
1960 — 2024
Fertility Rate — Bulgaria
Analysis# Bulgaria Fertility Rate
Bulgaria's fertility rate stands at 1.72 births per woman in 2024, representing a significant decline from its 1960 peak of 2.31. The country experienced a dramatic collapse to a historic low of 1.09 in 1997, marking one of Europe's steepest fertility drops. Over the 64-year period from 1960 to 2024, Bulgaria's fertility rate has fallen 25.5%, reflecting broader demographic challenges across Eastern Europe.
The trajectory since 1997 reveals a modest recovery pattern. Fertility rates climbed steadily from the nadir through 2021, reaching 1.81 births per woman—the highest point in the recent cycle. However, 2024 data shows a pullback to 1.72, suggesting the upward momentum may be stalling. With fertility rates remaining well below the 2.1 replacement level, Bulgaria continues facing long-term population pressures despite recent stabilization efforts.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1.72 births per woman | -4.97% |
| 2023 | 1.81 births per woman | +1.69% |
| 2022 | 1.78 births per woman | -1.11% |
| 2021 | 1.8 births per woman | +1.69% |
| 2020 | 1.77 births per woman | -1.12% |
| 2019 | 1.79 births per woman | +3.47% |
| 2018 | 1.73 births per woman | +1.17% |
| 2017 | 1.71 births per woman | +2.40% |
| 2016 | 1.67 births per woman | +1.83% |
| 2015 | 1.64 births per woman | +1.23% |
| 2014 | 1.62 births per woman | +5.19% |
| 2013 | 1.54 births per woman | +2.67% |
| 2012 | 1.5 births per woman | -0.66% |
| 2011 | 1.51 births per woman | -3.82% |
| 2010 | 1.57 births per woman | -5.42% |
| 2009 | 1.66 births per woman | +6.41% |
| 2008 | 1.56 births per woman | +4.70% |
| 2007 | 1.49 births per woman | +3.47% |
| 2006 | 1.44 births per woman | +5.11% |
| 2005 | 1.37 births per woman | +3.01% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1.33 births per woman | +5.56% |
| 2003 | 1.26 births per woman | +2.44% |
| 2002 | 1.23 births per woman | +1.65% |
| 2001 | 1.21 births per woman | -3.97% |
| 2000 | 1.26 births per woman | +2.44% |
| 1999 | 1.23 births per woman | +10.81% |
| 1998 | 1.11 births per woman | +1.83% |
| 1997 | 1.09 births per woman | -11.38% |
| 1996 | 1.23 births per woman | +0.00% |
| 1995 | 1.23 births per woman | -10.22% |
| 1994 | 1.37 births per woman | -6.16% |
| 1993 | 1.46 births per woman | -5.81% |
| 1992 | 1.55 births per woman | -6.63% |
| 1991 | 1.66 births per woman | -8.79% |
| 1990 | 1.82 births per woman | -4.21% |
| 1989 | 1.9 births per woman | -3.55% |
| 1988 | 1.97 births per woman | +0.51% |
| 1987 | 1.96 births per woman | -2.97% |
| 1986 | 2.02 births per woman | +2.54% |
| 1985 | 1.97 births per woman | -1.99% |
| 1984 | 2.01 births per woman | +0.00% |
| 1983 | 2.01 births per woman | +0.00% |
| 1982 | 2.01 births per woman | +0.50% |
| 1981 | 2 births per woman | -2.44% |
| 1980 | 2.05 births per woman | -5.09% |
| 1979 | 2.16 births per woman | +0.47% |
| 1978 | 2.15 births per woman | -2.71% |
| 1977 | 2.21 births per woman | -1.34% |
| 1976 | 2.24 births per woman | +0.45% |
| 1975 | 2.23 births per woman | -2.62% |
| 1974 | 2.29 births per woman | +6.51% |
| 1973 | 2.15 births per woman | +5.91% |
| 1972 | 2.03 births per woman | -3.33% |
| 1971 | 2.1 births per woman | -3.23% |
| 1970 | 2.17 births per woman | -4.41% |
| 1969 | 2.27 births per woman | +0.00% |
| 1968 | 2.27 births per woman | +12.38% |
| 1967 | 2.02 births per woman | -0.49% |
| 1966 | 2.03 births per woman | -2.87% |
| 1965 | 2.09 births per woman | -4.57% |
| 1964 | 2.19 births per woman | -0.90% |
| 1963 | 2.21 births per woman | -1.34% |
| 1962 | 2.24 births per woman | -2.18% |
| 1961 | 2.29 births per woman | -0.87% |
| 1960 | 2.31 births per woman | — |
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