Discussion Papers 2007.
Regionality and/or Locality 38-43. p.
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOME DEMOGRAPHIC
AND LAND-USE PARAMETERS IN BULGARIA
BORIS KOLEV – MARIA GROZEVA
Bulgarian socio-economic policy aimed at development of an efficient and equita-
ble integration in the EU economic structures. The regional development policy is
a part of this policy. The National Regional Development Strategy (NRDS) for the
period 2005–2015 promulgated 2005 is the fundamental document formulating the
long-term objectives and priorities of the regional policy of Bulgaria. The main
tasks of this Strategy are as follows:
− to define the strategic objectives of regional development for the period al-
ready mentioned;
− to provide milestones for definition and application of sectoral policies of re-
gional impact and to lay the basis for coordination of the regional develop-
ment with the rest of the policies in the planning regions;
− to ensure coordination between the regional development policy and territo-
rial planning policies with a view to achieving a balanced territorial devel-
opment;
− to provide a framework for planning and programming documents at all
territorial levels.
The implementation of all these objectives will be impossible without investi-
gation of the existing territorial disparities in the individual territorial levels and
especially at the NUTS II (planning regions) and NUTS III levels (administrative
districts).
A monitoring of the implementation of the principals, objectives and priorities
of the Strategy will be performed by the Partnership on NRDS by periodic 3-years
report. This report will contain propose decisions about activities to be undertaken
with a view to overcoming the barriers and difficulties to its implementation.
This is a brief presentation of regional distribution of several demographic and
land-use (arable land, forests and artificial areas) parameters. Some of these analy-
ses are at NUTS II, and some of them – at NUTS III level.
Boris Kolev - Maria Grozeva : Regional Distribution of Some Demographic and Land-Use Parameters in Bulgaria.
In: Regionality and/or Locality. Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2007. 38-43. p.
Discussion Papers, Special
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOME DEMOGRAPHIC AND LAND-USE…
3
9
Active population (2002) at NUTS II level.
The average rate is 48.4% in 2002 at the national level. Two planning regions
are below this average level – North-West (43.7%) and North-Central (45.7%).
These values are a result basically of the ageing of the population. Three regions
have values compared to the national average (North-East – 48.4%; South-East –
48.6%; South-Central – 47.4%). The only one region above average value is South-
West – 52.1%.
Population density at NUTS II level (2003).
The national value of this parameter is 70.3 inh/km2. With the respect to the
population density the least populated are North-West Region (48.3 inh/km2) and
South-East Region (53.4 inh/km2). Close to the latter are the values for North-East
Region (64.4 inh/km2) and North-Central Region (64.9 inh/km2). The South-Cen-
tral Region (70.7 inh/km2) is just at the national level. The highest population den-
sity is characteristic for the South-West Region (103.9 inh/km2). The main factor is
the population of the capital Sofia situated in this region. Vast areas with low den-
sity, mainly in the mountainous and rural parts, exist in each of the planning re-
gions, while the large cities and district centers stand out with high population den-
sity. The disparities in Bulgaria in term of the Population Density indicator are
quite moderate in comparison with those in many of the European regions. For
example, the correlation between the highest and the lowest populated regions was
2:1 in 2003.
Population density at NUTS III level (2003).
The districts of Sofia (37.5 inh/km2), Lovech (39.6 inh/km2), Vidin (40.4
inh/km2), Smolyan (42.3 inh/km2), Dobrich (44.2 inh/km2), Yambol (44.6 inh/km2),
Montana (47.7 inh/km2), Silistra (48.3 inh/km2), Haskovo (48.8 inh/km2) are with
the least population density. Five of these kinds of districts are in the Northern part
of the country and the rest are in the Southern Bulgaria. The highest value of
population density is characteristic for the capital district of Sofia. The districts of
the second and the third city of the country (Plovdiv and Varna) are with high den-
sity also. 22 of all 28 administrative districts are below the average population den-
sity of the country.
Urbanization at NUTS III level (inh. of cities over 20 000 inh. against the total
population of the region).
The highest share of population living in the cities over 20 000 inh. of the total
number of population at NUTS III level is characteristic of the district of Sofia
capital. With the respect of the share of population living in this group of cities, the
least is the district of Sofia (18.1%). The following group of these administrative
units is between 20 and 30% – Smolyan (23.9%), Razgrad (26.4%), Kardzhali
(28.2%), Targovishte (28.5%), Silistra (29.5). Four districts (Vratsa, Lovech,
Pleven and Pazardzhik) have values between 30 and 40%, six (Vidin, Montana,
Boris Kolev - Maria Grozeva : Regional Distribution of Some Demographic and Land-Use Parameters in Bulgaria.
In: Regionality and/or Locality. Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2007. 38-43. p.
Discussion Papers, Special
40
BORIS KOLEV – MARIA GROZEVA
Veliko Tarnovo, Dobrich, Shumen, Haskovo and Blagoevgrad) – 40–50%, seven
(Burgas, Sliven, Yambol, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Kyustendil and Pernik) – 50–60%
and three districts (Gabrovo, Ruse and Varna) – 60–70%. This share is an impor-
tant parameter for the present stage of urbanization in Bulgaria. Normally the dis-
tricts with a large population have the highest percentage of population living in
the cities over 20 000 inhabitants (Sofia – capital district, Varna, Ruse, Plovdiv,
Burgas).
Employment per Primary sector at NUTS III level (2003).
As a result of the structural reform the employment level has dropped in all the
regions and administrative units – districts, although substantial differences in the
rates of the industrial regions. The statistical data show that the lower share of em-
ployment in the Primary sector there are in the capital district of Sofia – 0.8%,
Gabrovo – 2.9%, Plovdiv – 3.1%, Varna – 3.4% etc. There are still several districts
in this group below 5% – as Vidin, Vratsa, Haskovo, Blagoevgrad and Kardzhali.
The following group consists most of the rest of NUTS III level units (Montana,
Veliko Tarnovo, Lovech, Pleven, Ruse, Dobrich etc.). Four 4 districts only are in
the group between 10–15% employment level in the Primary sector (Kyustendil,
Sofia-district, Silistra and Stara Zagora). The last two groups of districts are with
relatively well-developed agriculture and forest economy.
Employment per Secondary sector at NUTS III level (2003).
The national average percentage of this kind of employment is 31.6%, but there
are some territorial differences in the country. Logically, the capital district of
Sofia is below this level (19.2% of the employees are in the industry). The follow-
ing group includes two districts only – Varna (21.4%) and Vidin (24.4%). The
main factor for this situation in Varna is the well-developed Thirstier sector and
especially tourism. Quite different is the case of Vidin. Practically, there is no
functioning industry, even the existing one is with very old potential and structure.
The rest of districts are above already mentioned national value. The highest share
of the employees in the Secondary sector are districts of Blagoevgrad (51.1%) and
Gabrovo (52.1%). This is due to existence of well-established district centers. Ob-
viously, it’s necessary to make efforts for its restructuring and modernization.
Employment per Tertiary sector at NUTS III level (2003).
The sector structure of employment at national level shows that the share of
employees in this sector is 63.2% of total number of employees in all sectors and
activities. An important fact is that the most of the NUTS III level units have the
share close to the national level. Naturally, the highest level is characteristic for the
capital district (80.0% of the total number of employees in all sectors). Varna
(75.2%) and Burgas (66.4%) are the following group because they have very good
developed tourist industry. Some of the old industrial centers – Gabrovo, Haskovo,
Lovech, Blagoevgrad are characterized of the level below the national one.
Boris Kolev - Maria Grozeva : Regional Distribution of Some Demographic and Land-Use Parameters in Bulgaria.
In: Regionality and/or Locality. Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2007. 38-43. p.
Discussion Papers, Special
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOME DEMOGRAPHIC AND LAND-USE…
4
1
Agricultural areas as a percent of total area at NUTS III (2003).
Agricultural areas occupy 58.7% of the total territory of Bulgaria. The percent
of this type of land is different in the individual planning regions. The regions in
the North part of the country are above average percentage because there are vast
plainly territories (North-West – 71.5%, North-Central – 68.6%, North-East –
69.2%). Contrarily, the South Bulgarian regions are characterized by lowest per-
cent of the agricultural areas because these territories are more mountainous than
the North of the country (South-West – 46%, South-Central – 49,6%, South-East –
57,8%).
Forest areas in percent of total area at NUTS II level (2000).
The average percent of the forest area is 33.6% of the total national territory.
Predominantly, the most forested areas are in the mountainous parts of the South
regions – South-West (47.2%), South-Central (42.5%), South-East (35.0%). The
other three regions are below the average percentage of forest areas.
Artificial areas in percent of total territory at NUTS II level (2000).
The artificial areas include the territories of settlements, mines, dams, transport
and other infrastructural networks, plants. The national average level is 7.7% of the
country’s territory. Two regions are below this level – South-East (7.2%) and
South-West (6.9%). The North-Central (8.5%) and North-West (8.2%) regions are
above this percent.
Density of roads per surface (km per sq. km)
The last statistical data show that the average density of roads per sq. km of the
national territory is 0.17 km. The values of this characteristic are almost equal to all
planning region (North-West – 0.17 km; North Central – 0.19 km; North-East –
0.18 km; South-East – 0.15 km; South Central – 0.17 km and South-West – 0.16
km). The situation is almost the same at the NUTS III level (districts). The districts
of Gabrovo (0.25 km/km2) and Pernik (0.23 km/km2) are with relatively highest
density. That is why they are among the least districts by their territory. Some of
them are in the group with density between 0.10 km/km2 (Blagoevgrad) and 0.17
km/sq. km (Vratsa, Montana, Burgas, Sliven, Stara Zagora etc.). The following
districts are above 0.17 km/sq. km – Shumen, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Smolyan, Sofia.
That means the density of road network per surface is relatively homogenous in all
regions (NUTS II) and districts (NUTS III).
Density of roads per 1000 inhabitants (2003)
Since 2003, the local IV category road network (at the municipality level) is al-
ready not a part of the national road system. The average density of roads is 2.47
km per 1000 inh. The South-West Region (1.55 km) is under this value because its
great number of population. Here is situated the capital Sofia. North-West Region
has the highest value (3.58 km) among Bulgarian regions. A significant part
Boris Kolev - Maria Grozeva : Regional Distribution of Some Demographic and Land-Use Parameters in Bulgaria.
In: Regionality and/or Locality. Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2007. 38-43. p.
Discussion Papers, Special
42
BORIS KOLEV – MARIA GROZEVA
(22.0%) of the length of the roads of a high class is on the area in this region. North
Central Region occupies the second place by this indicator. The highest value of
this parameter at district level has recorded for the capital one – 9.51 km. This fact
is may be explained by better-developed road network. District of Vidin (4.98 km)
is at the second place. The lag behind in the development of the road network is the
greatest in North-West Region.
Density of rails per surface (2001)
The density of the railway network (0,039 km/km2) is lower than the density of
the old 15 EU Member states and of some other Eastern European countries. The
railway network density is slightly above the national average in South-West
(0.045 km/km2), North Central (0.045 km\km2) and South Central Region (0.040
km/km2). This kind of transport is less developing in the northwestern and south-
eastern parts of the country. Relative share of the length of the railway lines in the
individual planning regions is as follows: South Central – 26.1%; South-West –
21.1%; North Central – 18.7%; North-East – 15.5%; North-West – 9.4% and
South-East – 9.2%.
Density of rails per 1000 inhabitants at NUTS III level
The density per 1000 inh. is less in the districts of the capital Sofia Blagoev-
grad and Ruse than the other administrative districts of the area of the planning
regions. That is why Blagoevgrad and Ruse are peripheral districts and Sofia is the
biggest Bulgarian city with very short length railway network on its territory. On
the other hand the districts of Blagoevgrad and Ruse are traversed by a little part of
the entire railway network.
Density of rails per 1000 inhabitants at NUTS II level
The territory serviced the best is the North-West Region because it is rare popu-
lated in comparison with the other regions. The North Central region is at the sec-
ond place by this indicator. The density per 1000 inh. in South-West Region is the
least. The main factor for this fact is that it is the most populated region of the
country with 9.4% of the length of the entire national network only.
Connectivity to transport terminals at NUTS II level
Transport accessibility (roads). The territorial distribution of roads of a higher
class is of decisive importance for the mobility of the population and the transport
access to services of a higher quality. The predominant part of such roads in the
country is on the area of South-West, South Central and North-East planning re-
gions (respectively 22.0%, 21.7% and 20.0% of the total length of such roads).
This is explained by the location there of particularly important centers from the
settlements network – the city of Sofia (South-West), Plovdiv (South Central) and
Varna (North -East), which have caused priority construction of highways and
Class A roads specifically in these regions. The least portion of this class network
Boris Kolev - Maria Grozeva : Regional Distribution of Some Demographic and Land-Use Parameters in Bulgaria.
In: Regionality and/or Locality. Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2007. 38-43. p.
Discussion Papers, Special
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOME DEMOGRAPHIC AND LAND-USE…
4
3
is built in the area of the North-West Region (5.3%), to be explained by the ab-
sence of any significant center if the settlement network there. The spatial devel-
opment of the road network determines also the possibilities for transport accessi-
bility of the population to the centers offering a certain type of services (health
care, education, culture, administrative services, etc.). In Southern Bulgaria, more
than 80% of the population has access to these services in the framework of 90
minutes ride and in the South-West Region these values are above 90 minutes,
while in the Northern Bulgaria the access is more difficult and only 60% of the
population of the North-West Region have such access within 90 minutes.
Accessibility to railway transport.
In view of the specifics of the railway transport, an indicator of great impor-
tance for the accessibility by transport, apart from the spatial development of the
railway network, is also the number of stations and stops, servicing the individual
planning regions. The territory serviced the best is that of the South Central Re-
gion, which is traversed by one quarter of the entire national railway network, fol-
lowing by the South-West and the North Central Regions with 21.1% and 18.7%
respectively. Peripheral in terms of the railway infrastructure are South-East and
North-West Regions.
Air transport.
From the existing 10 civil airports in the country, 5 (Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Bur-
gas and Gorna Oryahovitsa) officially have the international airport status, but the
activities are concentrated at the Sofia, Varna and Burgas airports. They service
predominantly international destinations. A total of 2 660 158 passengers and
13 228 tons of goods were serviced by regular passenger, charter and cargo flights
at the five international Bulgarian airports in 2001. These are among main dispari-
ties in regional distribution of some basic demographic, land-use and transport
parameters in Bulgaria.
References
Bulgaria by the end of 2006: Socio-economic analysis, Agency for Economic Analysis and Forecasts,
Sofia, April 2004.
Regional Development Act, promulgated State Gazette vol. 14/20 Feb. 2004.