Children in Bulgaria

The National Statistical Institute (NSI) has published the annual edition of “Children in Bulgaria” for 2025. The preparation of this publication is part of the NSI’s established regular practice, in partnership with UNICEF Bulgaria, to mark Children’s Day on June 1. The joint initiative aims to provide reliable and systematic information on the status and development of children in the country, while encouraging the use of data to formulate effective policies for improving their well-being and guaranteeing the rights of every child.

The publication covers key demographic, socioeconomic, educational, and health indicators, as well as data on material well-being and the risks of social exclusion among children. It aims to provide a better understanding of the actual situation of children in Bulgaria and to support efforts toward sustainable development and equal access to services and opportunities.

As of the end of 2025, there were 1.09 million children under the age of 17 in the country, or 17.0% of the population, with the majority (75.3%) living in urban areas. The trend of declining birth rates continued throughout the year—50,496 children were born, a 6.0% decrease compared to the previous year. At the same time, infant mortality has been declining over the long term, reaching 4.6‰ compared to 6.6‰ in 2015. The education system covered 215,400 preschool-age children (coverage rate of 89.7%) and 712,300 students, with coverage rates decreasing as the educational level increased—from 93.3% in primary school to 84.1% in high school.

The data show a steady improvement in the incomes of households with children, but significant socioeconomic challenges remain. In 2025, 27.0% of children are at risk of poverty, and 26.7% experience material deprivation. 

“Reliable and timely statistical information is essential to the functioning of a society. This publication summarizes the data related to children in Bulgaria that the NSI collects and provides. It is the result of our partnership with UNICEF and serves as a very useful resource for users of this data,” noted Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Atanasov, President of the NSI.

“We would like to thank the NSI for its long-standing partnership and support of our work for children. Effective implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child requires institutionalized monitoring systems capable of generating, coordinating, and using evidence on the situation of children and the realization of their rights. The data in this now-traditional publication once again underscore the need for integrated policies aimed at reducing inequalities and improving access to quality education, healthcare, and social services for every child", said Christina de Bruin, UNICEF representative in Bulgaria. 

The full text of the publication is available on https://www.nsi.bg/publications/decata-v-balgariya-prez-2025-godina-9579 

The National Statistical Institute and UNICEF Bulgaria also collaborate on the development of thematic analytical reports focusing on key aspects of children’s well-being. The partnership also includes participation in the regional TransMonEE (Transformative Monitoring for Enhanced Equity) initiative — a UNICEF system for monitoring children’s rights and well-being in countries across Europe and Central Asia. Through this initiative, information from national statistical agencies is collected, harmonized, and analyzed to improve the availability, comparability, and detail of data on children. The regional database covers over 900 indicators across various areas including health, education, social protection, and living conditions—and enables the tracking of trends and comparative analysis across countries. More information is available at: https://www.transmonee.org