TRENDS AND PECULIARITIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BIRTH RATE IN THE RURAL AREAS OF SOUTH CENTRAL BULGARIA

Abstract

Regarding the negative trends in the birth rate, South Central Bulgaria is no exception. The decrease in the birth rate in this part of the country, especially in the period 2011-2020, is a result of the economic crisis and its impact on the living standards of the population. In recent years, the value orientations of the population have changed a lot. Women of all ethnic and religious groups in the region demonstrate a new type of reproductive behavior. The age structure has deteriorated and the fertile contingents have significantly decreased. Each municipality has already adopted the model of simple reproduction of the population. In South Central Bulgaria, favorable conditions for stable demographic development no longer exist.