The ageing of the population is an objective process that is characterized with
a continuous increase of the elderly paralleled by a reciprocal decrease of the
younger. This process is already affecting in varying degrees nearly all countries
in the world. Yet, its strongest impact is felt in Europe in addition to Japan.
Bulgaria makes no exception to this tendency. What is more, it is one of the worst
affected countries (Hristov, 1999). The consequences of ageing has a number of
negative effects on the number and structures of the population by age, as well
as by particular age groups, especially the labour force, employment, the group
of women in fertility age, etc. With respect to the national economy, the gravest
consequences can be found in the budget policy, social security and healthcare.
