Critical shortage: The number of nurses in Bulgaria has halved
Bulgaria is facing a serious healthcare problem related to the shortage of medical personnel. Recent data show that the number of nurses in the country has decreased drastically over the last 35 years.
The statistics are alarming: while nearly 54,000 nurses worked in hospitals three decades ago, their number has dropped by almost half today. This trend puts the quality of patient care at risk and places an additional burden on the remaining staff in the system.
The main reasons for this decline are linked to low pay, difficult working conditions, and the aging of the professional guild. Many young specialists choose to seek career opportunities abroad, where conditions and compensation are more attractive.
Experts warn that if urgent measures are not taken to attract new personnel and improve the working environment, the crisis will deepen. The lack of sufficient nurses is already being felt in all major hospitals across the country.
The issue remains one of the most important for Bulgarian society. Solving it requires a long-term strategy that will make the nursing profession desirable and respected in Bulgaria once again.