Demographic potential and problems of the settlements network in the mountains of Bulgaria

Abstract

Mountainous areas cover approximately 47.8 % of Bulgarian territory. Those areas are comparatively densely populated; the settlement network is well developed, and some 1.938 million people (25.4 % of the total population) live there (2007). However, there have been strong trends of population decline for reasons of natural decrease, aging, and emigration. The average birth rates are lower than the national average, although the death rate levels and the natural increase are similar to the national averages. In many mountainous areas, emigration exceeds admissible proportions and results in inexcusable decrease of population numbers as well as deterioration of the age structure. Most of the mountainous settlements are small. However, all larger and medium-sized urban settlements, as well as some of the small towns, have comparatively well-developed socioeconomic potential, enough arable lands and conditions for tourism and recreational activities, and usable housing.