Country Comments

Bulgaria saw its population peak at nine million citizens in 1985. Through a below replacement fertility rate and emigration Bulgaria has reduced its population by two million people in the last four decades. Its economy has prospered during this period of population contraction, growing from a $17 billion USD economy in 1985 to a $68 billion USD economy in 2020. With continued population decline, the country is on track to be sustainable in the next few years.

Bulgaria’s lack of pollution control measures for landfills has led to significant contamination of soil and groundwater. Soil contamination poses threats to human health and crop production in some parts of Bulgaria and is a barrier in the restitution process for agricultural land. Bulgaria has strengthened water management efforts in recent years. However, overall problems of water quantity and quality remain severe.

Bulgaria is among the highest performing economies in women's legal rights affecting work, according to a new index presented by the World Bank in 2019. The government is committed to continue creating equal opportunities for women and men. Bulgaria holds the first place in the EU for women in the IT sector – 30%. Nearly one-third of Bulgarian businesses are owned by women entrepreneurs.