Fertility among Roma in Urban Settings in Bulgaria: Contemporary Trends, Determinants and Social Consequences

This study examines the transformations in fertility among Roma living in urban settings in Bulgaria by combining demographic data, a large-scale quantitative survey, and in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that despite the traditionally high fertility rates and favourable age structure characteristic of the Roma population during the 1990s and the early 21st century, the last two decades have been marked by a distinct decline in both overall fertility and adolescent childbearing. Changes in reproductive behaviour are shown to result from a complex interplay of socio-economic conditions, migration processes, educational trajectories, shifting family roles, and religious influences. The data demonstrate a strong association between the number of children, educational attainment, employment status and income levels, with higher levels of education and economic stability correlating with planned parenthood and smaller family size. At the same time, the large-scale migration of young Roma abroad exerts a dual effect: on the one hand, it generates a demographic vacuum at the local level, and on the other, it transfers norms of postponed parenthood and limited fertility. The interviews highlight increasing female emancipation and the growing role of education as an internal regulator of reproductive decision-making. The article argues that fertility should not be conceptualised as an isolated demographic characteristic, but rather as a reflection of social inequalities and the dynamic processes of adaptation within Roma communities.