NORTH-WEST REGION - Population
Considerable population decline
At the end of 2002, the region's population was equal to 521 951, or 6.7% of the total population of Bulgaria. It has fallen by 7% between 1995 and 2001, which is the largest population decline of all the regions for this period. One of the main reasons for this is the high death rate, which is far above the birth rate. Another major factor is the negative migration balance, which is mainly due to the poor transport and social infrastructure. For example, many schools were shut down in the region, which induced the population to leave the region. The poor economic conditions also contribute to the high intensity of the migration flows to the rest of the country and especially to the capital, Sofia.
The intra-regional migratory flows are also strong as two-thirds of the people who migrate, move to other parts of the region. The ageing of the population has resulted in an increase in migratory flows from the towns to the villages.
The population density, of 50.7 inhabitants per km2 in 2002, is lower than the national average of 70.7 inhabitants per km2 and is the lowest amongst the Bulgarian regions. The lowest population density (41.3 inhabitants per km2) can be found in the province of Vidin, whereas the highest (60.7 inhabitants per km2) in the province of Vratsa.
In the year 2002, the birth rate in the region was equal to 8.0 per thousand, lower than the national average, whereas the death rate was equal to 19.3 per thousand, higher than the national average.
The age structure shows a proportion of young people (under 25) lower than the other regions of Bulgaria, whereas the proportion of old people (over 65) is the highest in the country.
The ageing of the population accounts for the low birth rate and the high mortality rate. Infant mortality is also higher than the national average.
The population is homogeneous in terms of ethnic and cultural structure, with Bulgarians numbering 93%. There are two ethnic minorities here, gypsies and a small number of "vlas", people of Romanian origin. The gypsy minority accounts for 6% of the total, according to the 1991 census.
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