Effect of the Demographic Processes on the Condition of the Settlement Network in Bulgaria

Abstract

The emergence and development of the settlements and settlement network is determined by the operation of various factors and conditions. In addition to the determining role of the socio-economic factors, of importance are also the changes related to the peculiarities and trends in the demographic processes. The periods of peaceful development and economic stabilization usually lead to population growth and positive changes in the urban network. In the case of Bulgaria, this correlation has manifested itself in its new and recent history, since the Liberation (1878) to the beginning of the 21st century. The processes of economic stabilization during the peacetime periods in the last century were accompanied by positive development of the existing settlement network in the country. An exception is the adverse change resulting from the demographic crisis that occurred in the second half of the 20th century. As a result of the serious demographic situation and the issuing depopulation process, there occurred significant changes in the number and size of settlements. The decreasing population of the country has affected most seriously the rural areas and has resulted in a growing number of villages with a minimum population. The negative trends in the demographic development have also affected the development of the towns. Despite the significant increase in the number of towns since World War II, the towns also saw a population decrease that began at the end of the last century. A typical example in this regard is the decreasing number of larger towns in the country with a population of over 100 thousand inhabitants.