Some contemporary theoretical conceptions for the population growth potential, known as „momentum“, are discussed. They are used to study the changes in the size and structure of population in Bulgaria, differentiated by sex and age, in the period 1947-2009. The momentum of population in Bulgaria has decreased steadily since the middle of the last century. It was positive and showed a maximum potential for a population increase of 27% in 1950 and negative, indicating a potential reduction of over 20% in 2009. Decomposition of the momentum in stable and unstable components indicates a strong destabilization of the age structure and a very unfavourable reproduction schedule since the early 1990s. Calculation of the age-specific momentums has indicated specific trends in some age groups. Study of the trends in total and age-specific momentums in the context of demographic transition brings additional light on the mechanism of population ageing of Bulgarian population.

The article provided recent data and interpretation about the demographic development of the Russian Federation during the last decades. In this country, one of the most populated in the world, the natural growth has been negative since the early 1990-ies (the start of transition to democracy and market economy), but during the last 5-6 years it approaches zero. Net international migration has been positive during the last decades, in spite of many departures, and in the last years the number of departures decreased. The trends of fertility and mortality are similar to those observed in other East European countries, but in Russia the gender difference in life expectancy is greater compared to any other country. Therefore, the number of women in the population at middle and high ages is much superior to the men, what leads to a distortion of the age pyramid. Comments are provided in the article about the explanations of the trends of mortality in Russia, especially what concerns the male sex.

The aim of this article is to present dynamics of family values and attitudes in Bulgaria, Poland and Norway during the last two decades doing an analysis of the empirical data from two representative studies of values. These studies were conducted in 1990 and 2008 within the framework of the European Values Study (EVS) with a standardized questionnaire. An accent is put on to the attempt to trace differences and similarities in value orientations towards marriage, divorce, lone motherhood, children, etc. across three generations of young people (18-29), middle-aged (30-49) and adult people (50 and above). The specific tasks are: 1) to detect the effect of generation and effect of time on the dynamics of family values; 2) to outline similarities and differences in the dynamics of values between the three countries and to focus on Bulgarian specificity in value orientations. The theoretical framework of empirical analysis is based on two theories – the theory of the second demographic transition of D. van de Kaa and R. Lesthaeghe and the R. Inglehart’s theory of materialistic and postmaterialistic values. The aim of presented results is to outline contextually intermodal character of second demographic transition and Bulgarian specifics conduct of modernization process in the private family sphere in terms of the ongoing socio-economic crisis.

It is discussed the issue of social inequity by age in societal and family environment and is justified the need of harmonization of intergenerational relations as well. The position of elderly and their changes under the impact of market economy and social and demographic crisis are analysed. The parameters of their social inequality in the labour market, income distribution, their needs of the social resource and services are evaluated. The particular markers of inequality are discussed in order their origin and the scope of divers impacting forces to be revealed particularly in regard of efficient policy aiming building up society for all ages; inequitable positions of the older population are viewed as a result of the changes of social norms and values. They reflect the underestimations of the aged people contribution to development on their life and knowledge and the role in the population reproduction, as well. The solution is to be defined in opposite direction - by recognition of the capacity of elderly generation to perform active life and reach wellbeing while their resources are put to a useful purpose. The phenomena are presented of the contemporary social and economic realities related to the generations’ interrelationships while the population ageing is increasing. The augmenting negative attitude is underlined towards the elderly in the social and family environment and their participation in development as well. There are analyzed their generating circumstances. The inequalities and discriminative attitudes towards the old population are identified. The problems’ ranging is related to the need of theoretical and methodological justification as far as an adequate policy is concerned. It is to stimulate the equitableness among diverse generations, the social responsibility regarding the aged persons’ living conditions and their access to social and work activities. The country’s material and intellectual culture development is contributed by these persons and they merit their right to dignified existence, respect and healthy way of life. The shortcomings of today’s social policy are interpreted – without enough guarantees for the elderly population in their social, economic and legal aspects. On the basis of the pointed out conclusions recommendations to the government agencies and civil society structural units are made. The policy oriented issues are an aid to policy formulation regarding the old population and the assuring of their economic and social equality as full value citizens.

This paper deals with the experience of ageing, as well as the structure and perceptions on the social network of elderly in the depopulating village of Bania near Panagyurishte. Results show that the process of ageing is perceived rather negatively. The older villagers suffer from multiple problems such as poverty, impaired health combined with low health care quality, and loneliness. The presence of death and several negative stereotypes of older people have also significantly contributed to the negative experience of ageing. The positive features of ageing are the satisfaction of retirement, as well as the joy of caring for children and grandchildren. The social network size of elderly in Bania is smaller than that of elderly elsewhere. This is especially so in winters, when those living only temporary in the village return to their city lives. The villagers have, though, a strong sense of community, they are well connected and mutually supportive. Adult children, together with spouses, are perceived as the most important source of social support. However, when adult children do not live close by, neighbours have partially overtaken the role of supporting the adult children’s parents.

Bulgarian villages for centuries had been the backbone of the nation and the economic and demographic foundation for its existence. In the mid-20th century, villages and rural communities experienced deep crisis caused by social and economic experiments of the established totalitarian communist regime. Revocation of land and agricultural implements from the peasants and the subsequent mass migrations to cities caused severe demographic crisis in rural areas. For half a century the rural population melt half and nearly 1,000 villages disappeared , or almost were completely depopulated. The democratic changes occurred after 1989 democratic changes did not put an end to negative demographic trends in rural areas. Differences in conditions and living standards between urban and rural get even deeper. Bulgarian villages become a place to leave.

The article explores the problems associated with the numerous Circassian colonization in the Danube Vilayet in the 60s and 70s of the XIX century. The article establishes the number of Circassian settlers. The actions of the Ottoman rule for their accommodation and adaptation to social and economic life of the region are revealed. The results of the Ottoman policy on “Circassian question”, which has a strong influence on the overall development of this large region of the Bulgarian lands, are analysed in the article.

Demographic structures linked to the ethnic composition of the population are studied in the article. Some main results from the population census in 2011 are used, as well as data from previous censuses in order to achieve comparisons. The results point out that during the past 20 years the shares of the population of the three main ethnic groups (Bulgarian, Turkish and Roma) haven’t changed substantially. Other research5 provides evidence that Roma and Turkish ethnic groups have higher fertility compared to the Bulgarian one. One of the reasons for the observed stability of the ethnic structure of the population is the transiting of people from one ethnic group to another in their ethnic self-identification. One of the reasons for the observed stability of the ethnic structure in this situation is the fact of transition of persons from one ethnic group to another in the process of self-identification. Comments are provided to the researched dynamics of the population structures helping the analysis of the tables and graphs. A second part of this article is forthcoming in which we shall analyze the ethnic structures by level of education, the housing conditions, and the health status.

This study presents how Bulgarian ethno-demographic statistics has represented the identities of Bulgarian speaking Muslims (including Pomak identity) throughout its existence. A comparative analysis of the available data for this specific group is provided. It is noted that official information about the Pomaks exists only in the publications of the censuses of 1900, 1905, 1910 and 1920 and partly in the 1926 census, although this population is observed (under the name of Bulgarian-Mahometans) also in the censuses of 1956, 1992, 2001 and possibly 1934. Thus, it becomes evident that Bulgarian official statistics ignores the existence of the Pomaks for a very long period – from the 1926 census until now. The comparison of the data shows that, at the beginning of the 20th century (until 1920), the group of the Bulgarian-speaking Muslims largely coincided with that of the Pomaks, especially in the districts and counties of Southern Bulgaria, where more than 90 % of both groups lived. However, at present, the group of the Bulgarian-speaking Muslims is split into several subgroups according to ethnic self-identification, the main of which are Pomaks, Bulgarians and Turks. The article ends with a recommendation to consider the Pomaks separately and in an adequate manner at future censuses and to publicize officially the relevant data concerning them.

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