The National Statistical Institute and UNICEF Bulgaria present new data about the situation of children in Bulgaria

Sofia, 1 June 2023 For the first time on the occasion of Children's Day in Bulgaria, the National Statistical Institute presented a specialized publication dedicated to data on children in Bulgaria, and UNICEF Bulgaria published in Bulgarian the regional report ‘The Situation of Children in Europe and Central Asia’, which provides data and analysis on the situation of children in the region including Bulgaria.

‘The presentation of statistical data relating to children from 0 to 17 years of age will be useful for the work of all state institutions in developing, implementing and reporting on the applied policies for children. For us as a society, there is no more important task than to provide quality education, sustainable healthcare and a living perspective for our children’, said Assoc. Prof. Atanas Atanasov, President of the NSI.

Affordable childcare and quality preschool are the top priorities among parents in Bulgaria and 12 other countries in Europe and Central Asia, according to survey findings published today by UNICEF ahead of Parenting Month, celebrated annually in June. The survey asked parents to identify which types of government, business and community-led family support they would deem as the most important. The results found that 26 per cent of parents identified quality preschool as the most important government provision to support families and 25 per cent of parents prioritised more affordable childcare options.

The survey results were released to coincide with the start of UNICEF’s Parenting Month, an annual month-long celebration of parents worldwide. UNICEF acknowledges and celebrates parents for their important role in shaping their children's lives and calls for better support for parents including mental health services and family friendly policies.

‘In today’s information age, we have a unique opportunity to collect more diverse, higher quality data on a larger scale than ever before. And when we put these data in the hands of the most influential decision-makers, we can enable more powerful and effective change for children’, said Christina de Bruin, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria.

An estimated 35-40 million children, or one-fifth of the children in the region, are living in risk of poverty, shows UNICEF’s report ‘The Situation of Children in Europe and Central Asia’.

Bulgaria is in the top 3 countries with the highest proportion of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU – 33%. The percentage is similar for Spain and in Romania, the children at risk of poverty and social exclusion are 41.5%. Conversely, the lowest proportion was reported in Slovenia (11%), Finland (13.2%) and Czechia (13.3%).

The COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, the war in Ukraine and the current economic and energy crisis have plunged many families into financial uncertainty, affecting their well-being and that of their children. The impact of poverty on children can have long-lasting consequences, as it affects their access to basic needs, such as food, water, shelter, and education, health, protection, and emotional well-being.

‘In October 2022, the Bulgarian Government adopted a comprehensive National Action Plan for the implementation of the European Child Guarantee 2030. The Plan will be a key instrument for reaching the national goal of reducing the number of children living at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 197,000 by 2030. A key priority for UNICEF is to support national efforts for the effective implementation of the ECG and for permanently lifting children out poverty in Bulgaria’, said Christina de Bruin, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria.

UNICEF’s report spotlights deepening inequalities and urges countries to put in place sound systems to support children at risk of poverty and social exclusion. 

The report is the first of its kind to bring together existing data and analysis for all countries in the region, while highlighting critical data gaps that need to be filled.

The study draws attention to the disparities in access to health and education for the poorest and most vulnerable children. Roma children and an estimated 11 million children with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged when it comes to access to quality education. While Roma children in Europe are more likely to drop out of school at either primary or secondary level without having acquired foundational skills, children with disabilities remain excluded from school and high-quality learning altogether.

The disparities in healthcare for children are vast. Although the Europe and Central Asia includes countries with the lowest number of infant and child deaths globally, some countries experience higher under-five mortality rates than the global average. More than half of these deaths are due to preventable and treatable diseases.

In Bulgaria, the out-of-pocket expenditure as % of current health expenditure remains high – 39%.

Although Europe and Central Asia include countries with the lowest number of infant and child deaths globally, some countries experience higher under-five mortality rates than the global average. More than half of these deaths are due to preventable and treatable diseases.

The pandemic has taken a toll on children’s emotional and mental wellbeing, as suicide is now the second leading cause of death in high-income countries in Europe and Central Asia, the report says.    

Air pollution is the single most significant environmental risk in the region. It is estimated that 4 out of 5children breathe polluted air in Europe and Central Asia. Communities also lack the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves from the impacts of climate change.

In Bulgaria, the Children’s Climate Risk Index is relatively high – 3.9. Iceland, Luxemburg, Finland and Sweden are among the countries with the lowest climate risk, while Albania, and Tajikistan are among the countries with the highest risk.

Apart from the unprecedented numbers of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, the number of refugees and migrants from other parts of the world arriving in Europe and Central Asia continues to increase, stretching the capacities of host governments to sustain equal access to quality basic services.