Bulgaria faces one of its most serious challenges: the deepening demographic crisis, which is expressed in the unceasing process of population aging. This trend is not new, but the latest data from official sources paints a troubling picture that requires urgent and coordinated action. According to the 2023–2024 Report, which evaluates the implementation of the National Strategy for an Active Life for the Elderly in Bulgaria (2019–2030), demographic processes are accelerating, calling into question the future of social systems and the country's economic stability.
Alarming Figures and Social Reality
By the end of 2024, people aged 65 and over already numbered 1,544,245, which constitutes 24% of the total population of Bulgaria. This figure is not just a statistic but a reflection of a profound change in the structure of society. For comparison, in 2011, the share of this age group was significantly lower—18.5%. This growth of 5.5% in just over a decade shows that the demographic clock is ticking faster and faster.
Data provided by national statistics and cited by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) reveal another alarming fact: for every 100 people of working age, there are 61 of non-working age. This ratio has seriously worsened compared to 2011, when it was 46.5%. In other words, a smaller number of working people must provide support for a growing number of retirees. This imbalance poses a serious challenge to the pension system, healthcare, and social services, requiring a comprehensive re-evaluation of government policies.
Strategy for the Future and First Steps
The National Strategy for an Active Life for the Elderly (2019–2030) was developed precisely to address these challenges. It sets the ambitious task of providing opportunities for the full participation of older people in the socio-economic life of the country. To achieve this goal, a number of measures are being implemented, financed by both the national budget and European funds. These include programs for subsidized employment for people of pre-retirement age and facilitated access to professional training.
Furthermore, the strategy includes initiatives for social inclusion, support for socio-cultural projects, provision of high-quality social services, and development of health prevention. The goal is not just to support older people but to provide them with an active and dignified life, full of opportunities for communication and development.
Dialogue and High-Level Commitment
The problem of demographics has also been raised at the highest political level. At the end of April, Minister of Social Affairs Borislav Gutsanov organized a round table in the National Assembly dedicated to the topic: "Demographics – Trends, Problems, and Solutions". At the opening of the event, he stated: "If there is one cause that can unite Bulgarians, it is the demographic one. A comprehensive strategy and national consensus are needed". These words emphasize the awareness that overcoming the demographic crisis requires the joint efforts of the entire society and the political elite, regardless of party affiliations.
The MLSP assures that the commitment to improving the care of the elderly is uncompromising. A review is currently underway of buildings proposed by municipalities that could be converted into new homes for the elderly. One of the most significant initiatives is the renovation of 81 municipal homes for the elderly, financed with over 750 million leva under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. After the completion of the large-scale renovations, more than 5,600 older people will benefit from significantly better living conditions, high-quality social services, and more opportunities for social contact.
Part of the funds are also intended for the construction of 254 new services for people with various types of disabilities. This investment is expected to provide quality support for at least 10,000 people and their families who face daily challenges.
Symbolic Beginning and Concrete Actions
As a sign of this commitment, just a few days ago, Minister Gutsanov gave a symbolic start to the renovation work at the Dr. Stefan Smyadovski Home for the Elderly in Shumen. Also, in the same municipality, a new service for people with disabilities was launched. The presence of official figures and local authorities at the ceremony in Shumen, where many people gathered, was a clear signal of the priority the state places on this problem.
Although the path to resolving the demographic crisis is long and fraught with challenges, these first steps show that concrete solutions are being sought. The question remains, however: will they be enough to stop the deepening of the generational gap that divides Bulgarians?