The disappearing Bulgarians: Despair as young leave and population dwindles

Empty corridors and only eight babies in their cribs. The maternity ward in the city of Gabrovo tells you everything you need to know about the drastic drop in the birth rate in Bulgaria. – Photo: Nikolay Doychinov/AFP

Empty corridors and only eight babies in their cribs. The maternity ward in the city of Gabrovo tells you everything you need to know about the drastic drop in the birth rate in Bulgaria.

"There are not many people of childbearing age left around here. The young left looking for jobs in the big cities or abroad," paediatrician Bistra Kamburova, 68, told AFP.