The birth rate in Bulgaria increased in 2006, but the country is steadily experiencing a reduction of population, National Statistical Institute (NSI) data showed.

The population of Bulgaria was 7 679 300 people in the end of 2006, Bulgarian news agency BTA said.

The death rate still exceeds the birth rate; as a result, the population decreased by 39 500 people between 2005 and 2006.

In 2006, the growth in population was minus 5.1 per thousand, which is a decrease of 0.3 compared with the 2005 rate.

The extramarital birth rate continued growing, BTA said. The number of women in fertile age decreased.

The NSI data showed that the ratio of Bulgarians up to 15 years old was 13.4 per cent of the population, while the people over 65 years comprised 17.3 per cent.

The average life expectancy in Bulgaria was 72.61 years.