Early Childhood Development in Bulgaria - Country Profile

Bulgaria is the poorest country in the European Union (EU), with more than one-third of children living at risk of poverty (over 570.000 according to eurostat, 2018). The country also has the second-highest infant mortality in the EU, with the probability of a child dying between birth and five years of age 70% higher than the EU average (Eurostat, 2020).

Over the past few years, early childhood development (ECD) has received the government’s increased attention with important progress made in delivering ECD policies and supporting families with young children by bringing together the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, and the Social Assistance Agency.

First Years First Priority is a Europe-wide campaign set up to advocate for prioritization of early childhood development in public policies, with a particular focus on families and children who are at greater risk of discrimination and exclusion.

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