At the end of 2006, Bulgaria had a population of 7,679,300, a decrease by 3,000 people less than in 2005 due to a higher birth rate last year, according to a 2006 report on socio-economic development published by the National Statistical Institute.

In 2006, deaths outnumbered births, resulting in a drop in the population by 39,500 people (0.5 per cent).

The number of children born out of wedlock grew in both relative and absolute terms, from 12.4 per cent in 1990 to 25.7 per cent in 1995 to 42 per cent in 2001 to 49 per cent in 2005. At the
end of 2006, live out-of-wedlock births totalled 37,572 (50.8 per cent).

Births totalled 74,495, of which 73,978 live births (99.3 per cent). This is the largest number of live births since 1995, up 2,903 from a year earlier. The birth rate was higher among the urban population than among the rural population.

Natural population growth has been negative since 1990, resulting in a steady decrease in the population. In 2006, the population decreased by 39,460 people.

The number of fertile-age women (aged between 15 and 49) dropped to 1,852,000 - down 16,000 from a year earlier. It was down by 55,000 from 2001. The slight increase in birth rates in the last three years is due to the increased fertility of the fertility contingents, measured by the total fertility rate.

The ageing of the population deteriorated. The number and proportion of Bulgarians aged under 15 dropped, while the proportion of those aged over 65 increased. In 1995, 17.7 per cent of Bulgarians were aged under 15, as against 15.2 per cent of over-65-year olds. in 2006, the respective figures were 13.4 per cent and 17.3 per cent.

The average life expectancy in 2004-2006 was 72.61 years (men 69.07, women 76.32). The life expectancy of the urban population was higher by 1.5 years.

In 2006, deaths totalled 113,438, close to the 2005 level of 113,374. At 14.7 per thousand, the total mortality rate (TMR) was higher than in most EU countries, where it varies between 9.0 and 10.0 per thousand. Ireland has the lowest TMR of 6.6 per thousand. Only Latvia has a mortality rate close to Bulgaria's at 14.2 per thousand.