Birth control and declining birth rates: the Bulgarian experience
Vassilev, D.
Planned Parenthood in Europe 18(2): 9-13
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 1017-8538 PMID: 12316311 Document Number: 436156
Although Bulgaria's demographic transition occurred later than was the case in other European countries, the dominant demographic trend in the last 70 years has been a steady fall in fertility. By 1987, the crude birth rate was 13.0/1000--very close to the crude death rate of 12.7/1000. The total fertility rate has fallen from close to 6 in 1912 to less than 2 children in 1987 and there have been striking fertility declines among older women in the 35-49-year age groups. Also observed has been a lengthening of the interval between 1st and 2nd births. A factor that has remained unchanged is the low mean age at marriage (20.8 years). The key components of the fertility decline have been socioeconomic development, the decreasing need to have children for social or economic reasons, and changing cultural values. THe national family planning program, which delivers outdated, unsafe, and ineffective methods, has to date played a negligible role in the fertility decline. Breastfeeding, withdrawal, condoms, and vaginal douching are the most commonly practiced forms of fertility control. Given the limitations of these traditional methods, induced abortion-- legalized in 1956--is utilized widely as a birth control method, especially among women over 30 years of age who have already achieved their desired family size. In 1987, the abortion rate (56.6) actually exceeded the fertility rate (55.4). The over reliance on abortion as a contraceptive method and the high fertility among women under 20 years of age point to a need for the introduction of modern fertility control methods into Bulgaria. Although such methods have been available for short times, there has been inadequate follow-up and problems with supplies and import laws.