Bulgarian Women and Their Attitudes Towards Marriage and Children

In 2025, Bulgarian women navigate complex mix of traditional values and modern realities when it comes to marriage and family. While the country is fully European and urban women in Sofia, Plovdiv, or Varna live lifestyles similar to any Western capital, deep-rooted cultural expectations about marriage and motherhood remain strong.

Marriage is Still Highly Valued

Despite declining marriage rates across Europe, getting married remains important life goal for the majority of Bulgarian women. survey by Alpha Research in 2024 showed that 78% of Bulgarian women aged 20–39 consider official marriage “important” or “very important,” higher than in Germany, France, or Scandinavia.

Reasons:

• Legal and financial protection (inheritance, alimony, social benefits).
• Social status, being “gospazha” (Mrs.) instead of “gospazhica” (Miss) still carries weight.
• Pressure from family, especially in smaller towns and villages.
• Religious factor, over 70% of Bulgarians are Orthodox Christian, and church wedding (venchavka) is seen as the “real” marriage by many.

However, cohabitation before marriage has become completely normalized in cities. Many couples live together 2–5 years before officially marrying, often only when planning children or for visa reasons in international relationships.

The Ideal Age for Marriage and First Child

The average age of first marriage for women in Bulgaria rose to 29.8 in 2024, and first child to 28.5, still lower than Western Europe (where first child is often 31–34). Bulgarian women feel the biological and social clock earlier.

Typical timeline desired by many:

• Serious relationship by 24–27
• Engagement/marriage by 27–31
• First child by 29–33
• Second child by 35 at latest

Women over 35 who are single and childless face significantly more social pressure than in Berlin or London. Comments like “Кога ще се задомиш?” (“When will you settle down?”) start as early as 27–28.

Attitudes Toward Children: “Must Have” for Most

Having children is still seen as essential part of fulfilled life by the vast majority. Only about 8–10% of Bulgarian women in their 30s declare they do not want children at all (compared to 20–25% in Germany or Netherlands).

Common statements:

• “Без деца животът няма смисъл” (“Life has no meaning without children.
• “Искам поне две, за да не е само едно и да е самотно”I want at least two so they are not alone.

Even career-oriented women in Sofia usually plan to return to work after 1–3 years of maternity leave (Bulgaria has generous paid maternity policies: 410 days at 90% salary in 2025).

Preference for Traditional Gender Roles (with Nuance)

Most Bulgarian women grew up seeing their mothers and grandmothers as primary caregivers while fathers were providers. Even modern women often expect:

• Man to be main breadwinner (or at least equal).
• Woman to handle majority of housework and child-rearing, even if she works full-time.

However, younger generations (born after 1995) increasingly demand equal partnership. The phrase “Искам мъж, не дете” (“I want man, not child”) is common complaint about Bulgarian men who expect to be “served” at home.

Attitudes Toward International Marriage

Bulgarian women are generally very open to marrying foreigners, especially from Western Europe, North America, or Australia. Perceived advantages:

• Better economic prospects.
• More modern gender roles abroad.
• Opportunity to travel and learn new culture.

Red flags for Bulgarian women in international relationships:

• Very large age gaps (>15–20 years).
• Men who want “traditional wife” but don’t want children.
• Men who expect her to abandon career completely.

Divorce Attitudes

Divorce is relatively common (around 45% of marriages end in divorce, higher in urban areas. However, stigma is stronger when children are involved. Many women will stay in mediocre marriage “for the children” until kids are teenagers.

Financial Expectations in Marriage

Bulgarian women usually expect the man to:

• Own or be able to buy property (apartment in Sofia is still seen as basic requirement for starting family).
• Be able to support family alone if woman takes long maternity leave or decides to be stay-at-home mother.

Having savings and stable job is far more important than flashy lifestyle.

Religious vs Civil Marriage

While civil marriage is legally required, many couples (especially outside Sofia) also want Orthodox church wedding. This can be expensive (1,000–5,000 EUR) and requires both partners to be baptized. Some foreign men resist for religious or financial reasons, which can become major conflict.

The “Right” Number of Children

Two is still the ideal for most. Reasons:

• One is “too lonely.”
• Three or more is considered financially irresponsible unless the family is wealthy.
• Government bonuses for second and third child (around 2023–2025) have slightly increased birth rates.

Child-Free Movement

Very small but growing in Sofia among highly educated women in IT, finance, and creative industries. Still, even many of these women plan children “later” rather than never.

In summary, Bulgarian women in 2025 remain more traditional in their views on marriage and children than most Western European women, but less rigidly so than two decades ago. They seek committed partnerships that lead to official marriage and (almost always) children, preferably within their late 20s or early 30s. The ideal partner is seen as reliable provider who respects her as equal, helps with children and housework, and is willing to integrate into her family. Understanding and aligning with these expectations, while bringing stability and genuine affection, is the key to successful long-term relationship with Bulgarian woman.