Demography

Bulgaria Registers 55% Increase in Number of Asylum Applicants in 2014

The number of asylum applicants in Bulgaria increased by 55% on an annual basis in 2014, according to Eurostat data.

The number of applicants in Bulgaria increased from 7 145 in 2013 to 11 080 in 2014, according to the statistical office of the European Union.

Bulgaria's share of asylum seekers amounted to less than 2% of the EU total.

Dreams and despair in Turkey's 'little Syria'

Since the Syrian civil war erupted four years ago, tens of thousands of refugees have poured into the southern Turkish port town of Mersin, fearing they may never return home and yearning for a better life.
     
Between 200,000-350,000 Syrian refugees are now estimated to live in the workaday Mediterranean city, swelling its population of around one million by about a quarter.

China considering one-child policy changes: Premier

China is considering further changes to its family planning laws, Premier Li Keqiang said on March 15, after a relaxation in the "one child policy" failed to see significantly more babies being born.

The ruling Communist Party imposed strict rules in the late 1970s to limit population growth, with most urban couples restricted to a single offspring.

EU to Grant Bulgaria BGN 10 M in Funding on Refugee Projects

The European Commission is to fund Bulgaria in the amount of BGN 10 M on emergency measures on account of the increased influx of emigrants in the country.

A delegation of the European Commission arrived in Bulgaria Wednesday in order to explore in debt the issue as the country has submitted a funding application.

Population drop to raise age of retirement to over 70

By Roula Salourou

Greece?s poor demographic performance is evolving into a major threat for the country?s social security system, as a recent study conducted by the National Actuarial Authority and submitted to the European Commission has shown that the Greek population will shrink dramatically from 11.045 million last year (according to Eurostat) to 8.5 million in 2060.

Bulgaria's Border Police Detained 6499 Illegal Immigrants in 2014

Border Police detained 6499 illegal immigrants, citizens of third countries, as they attempted to cross into Bulgaria in 2014, which represents a decrease of 44 % compared to 2013.

This became clear after the General Directorate Border Police presented an account of its activity throughout the past year at the Interior Ministry on Friday.

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