Rural Areas in Bulgaria - Identification and Main Characteristics

Rural municipalities in Bulgaria make up 81% of the country's territory (about 90 thousands km(2)) and (as of 31 December 2015) are occupied by 38.77% of the population. Towards the end of 2015, the population density within the rural regions was 30.9 people per km(2), approximately twice as low as the country's average (64.5 people/km(2)). The population in the rural areas is concentrated in their administrative centres. Compared to EU rural regions, they reveal specific characteristics, inherent to the local economy and community. The aim of the study is to determine the effects of national growth on the economic results of rural regions with different socio-economic parameters. The results of the study are used for defining some of the reasons for the serious socio-economic disproportions of the country.