The population of Bulgaria numbers 8 384 871. The average density
of the population is 76,2 people per a square kilometre which is higher
than the European norm (66 people per a square kilometre). The number
of the town population (68,3%) prevails over the number of the rural
population. The birth rate is comparatively low - 10,7%o and the death
rate is comparatively high - 12,2%o, which defines the negative population
growth of the latest years (-1,5%). The number of the active population
has decreased (21,3%) while the number of the non-active population
has increased (22,7%). The main part of the population are Bulgarians
numbering 7 200 000. Beside them in the country live 800 000 Bulgarian
Turks, 300 000 Gypsies and small number of Jews, Armenians, Russians
and Greeks. The official religion is Eastern Orthodox which is professed
by 86,6% of the population. 13,1% of the population profess Islam
and 0,3 profess other kinds of religion.
