The decrease of the number of population in the Municipality of Kardzhali started after the year of 1990, and it continues even up to 2001. It is mainly a result of the negative population growth. The permanent population of the municipality on 1st March, year 2001 amounts 70 196 people, in this number, men – 34 524 and women - 35 672. The municipality consists of 118 settlements, which are administered in 45 town and village councils. About 60 % of the population of the municipality lives in the town of Kardzhali, which gives us a reason to state that the municipality is urbanized enough and life standard is comparatively high.
On the other hand, in order to keep the quality of life in the villages at a high level, it becomes necessary to carry out infrastructure maintenance activities and to execute a number of activities so that the population would prefer not to leave the villages. According to United Nation`s Human development report, Kardzhali takes the 85th place from a total number of 262 municipalities in Bulgaria.
2. Population shift.
For the period of the years 1992-1998 the population of the municipality has increased with 0,5%. This is an insignificant increase for such a period of time, having in mind the following main factors:
Production and economic activity decrease in the municipality;
Population migration to other municipalities in the country;
Population migration to Turkey;
Decrease in the farm-land use, because of the limits on tobacco buying.
There has been reported a significant decrease in the number of people between the age of 0 and 19, where the decrease is (-2.1%). The number of people who are advanced in age (over 60 years old) decreases, with a rate of (-0.9%), while the population between the age of 20 and 59 years old increased, with a rate of 0.3% for the period between the years 1995 – 1998. The structure of the population below the active work age has decreased, with a rate of (-3.1%) average per year between the period of the years 1992-1998, the one that is in the able-to-work age increased rating 1.3% and the population which is over the active work age also increased with a rate of 0.5%.
Until 1996, the natural growth was positive, while after 1997 it has turned already negative . Death-rate in the Municipality of Kardzhali increased with a rate of 2.1% per year , and birth-rate decreased with a rate of (-7.7%) per year . Natural growth decreased with a rate of – 17.7% average per year.
Population decrease for Bulgaria is minus 0.3% while in the town of Kardzhali population has increased insignificantly.
Population total number.
Population according to current address
Year 2001
Year 2002
Year 2003
total
In this number from 0-18 years old
total
In this number from 0-18 years old
total
In this number from 0-18 years old
Town
53931
10986
53284
10840
52253
10239
Village
26746
6479
26522
6292
25962
5824
Population according to permanent address
Year 2001
Year 2002
Year 2003
Town
63437
63247
63160
Village
54854
55120
55512
Birth rate.
Year 2001
Year 2002
Year 2003
Town
972
952
923
Village
2
-
-
Death rate.
Year 2001
Year 2002
Year 2003
Town
469
513
585
Village
226
220
258
3. Age structure of the population.
The process of demographic ageing keeps on intensifying. According to age structure, Municipality of Kardzhali`s population is as follows: up to 18 years old – 16 501 people, between 18-64 years old – 44 939 people, and above 65 years old – 8 756 people.
1 – Bulgarians
2 – Turks
3 – Gypsies
4 – Others
5 – do not identify themselves
