The number of divorces in Bulgaria in 2009 was 11 662, which is the lowest since 2004, according to data from the National Statistics Institute, NSI.

The capital Sofia and the second largest city of Plovdiv have the highest number of divorces – 2 229 and 1 100 respectively.

The trend of fewer people divorcing in Bulgaria has been observed since 2007, according to NSI data, however, the number of new marriages is also declining – from 36 000 in 2005 to 26 000 in 2009.

NSI will reveal more details Tuesday because this is the day the Institute will announce the first official, though express, results from the 2011 Census in Bulgaria. The Census was conducted between February 1 and 28 with an online Census until midnight on February 9.

Bulgaria was one of the very few EU Member States to have an online Census. The interest towards it surpassed by far the expectations when over 41% of the total population used it in the 9-days it was available.

The NSI Director, Mariana Kotseva, says the grim forecast Bulgarians in the country are now below 7 million would not materialize.

In 2009, Bulgarians were 7.5 million.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!