Title: Demographic effects of population policies in Bulgaria.

POPLINE Document Number: 101270

Author(s):

Vassilev D

Source citation:

In: Demographic and social effects of population policies in Europe, edited by Henry P. David and Daniel Pierotti. Copenhagen, Denmark, World Health Organization [WHO], Regional Office for Europe, 1993. :11-2.

Abstract:

Bulgaria's fertility has remained unchanged and independent from measures taken to encourage fertility. Demographic transition began in 1912 and stabilized around 1950. Changes in fertility behavior were affected more by quick changes of any kind. The results from the World Fertility Surveys have indicated that there has been no change in the preferred number of children, which is between 2.05 and 2.25. The suggestion was that this stable trend is unlikely to change due to a 10-15% increase in family income. Over the years family income has changed and improved and desires have remained constant. The incentives have been 10-15% of the mother's salary for the second child and about 20% for the third child, but these incentives do not compensate for the long-term cost of child rearing: 43% of family income for the first child, and succeeding children never more than 13%. The proportion of first, second, and third children has remained stable between 1978 and 1987. The rate of childbearing has remained stable. Opinion surveys have shown that in 1980-81 73.1% of women agreed that government measures including financial ones did not influence family decisions about fertility. On another question, 60-80% thought that some financial help could change their position on childbearing. The conclusion was that if financial measures were used to stimulate fertility, the measures would have to be compensation to the couple and not encouragement.

Keywords:

Bulgaria
Population Policy
Fertility
Demographic Impact
Developing Countries
Europe, Southeastern
Europe
Social Policy
Policy
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population