Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol. 8, Suppl. 3, 2010 102 Trakia Journal of Sciences, Vol. 8, Suppl. 3, pp 102-109, 2010 Copyright © 2009 Trakia University Available online at: http://www.uni-sz.bg ISSN 1313-7069 (print) ISSN 1313-3551 (online) DEMOGRAPHIC STATUS OF THE CENTRAL REGIONS IN BULGARIA M. Shishmanova* South -West University “Neofit Rilski”, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria ABSTRACT General demographic characteristics, an approach to population dynamics, basic demographic processes – natural and mechanical growth rate, basic demographic structures – age-groups and educational characteristics, occupation and unemployment, are presented for the central regions, respectively agglomeration areas in Bulgaria. Key words: central regions, agglomeration areas, demographic status quo, educational structure, unemployment INTRODUCTION The present investigation considers the demographic status of the central regions in Bulgaria. Agglomeration areas are formed within the range of the central regions in Bulgaria – 6 agglomeration areas with a center – a big city, 30 agglomeration areas with a center – a medium-sized town. Six of the agglomeration areas are formations with more than three municipalities, five of them are with three municipalities each, ten are with 2 municipalities and the rest 15 are independent municipalities with a formed kernel. These areas represent the backbone of the economy, social and human potential of the country. They are with the highest degree of competitiveness and attractiveness for investments and innovations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Information from the National Statistical Institute was used for the study of the demographic status – current demographic statistics and the census in 2001, and from the Employment Agency. Comparative analysis for consecutive years and periods was principally applied. _______________________________________________ *Correspondence to: Maria Shishmanova, South -West University “Neofit Rilski”, 2700 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, valkova_chich@abv.bg 1. General demographic characteristics Eighty eight 88 municipalities with total population of 5885455 people (1) are included within the range of the agglomeration areas, which represent 77.4 % of the population of the country. The differences between the municipalities are in the range from 1247050 for the Sofia municipality, 347400 for Plovdiv and 326528 for Varna, to 6546 for Kuklen. One fifth of the population of the agglomeration areas is on the territory of the Sofia municipality and together with the other two municipalities with big city centers (Plovdiv and Varna) this share becomes 32.6 % (Fig. 1). Fig. 1