The Socialist-led coalition government addressed the demographic crisis with the typical array of family incentive programs. The centerpiece policy was the 2002 Family Allowances Act, a series of laws granting subsidies and leave benefits to boost the birth rate. For example, Bulgaria offers a one-time payment of 2,400 leva (1,714 USD) to mothers of twins and 3,600 leva (2,571 USD) for triplets. Student mothers receive a monthly subsidy of 240 leva (171.40 USD) while attending school and all mothers receive a one-time payment of up to forty five days of pay, proportionate to their salary at time of maternity leave. In addition, all major political parties included the demographic crisis in their party platforms ahead of July 2009 national elections and advocate various family incentives. Unfortunately, with the impact of the global financial crisis finally being felt in this once high-flying Balkan Tiger economy, the next government will be hard pressed to keep current incentive programs, let alone expand them.
The government could do much more to stem the population decline without additional financial outlays. Net inward migration remains negligible at best. Bulgaria grants citizenship and residency status to few immigrants each year, most of whom are ethnic Bulgarians from Romania, Ukraine and Moldova. Bulgaria has a weak tradition of integrating foreigners and refugees, and many prefer to move on to other EU countries with larger immigrant diasporas and potentially greater acceptance. A reformulation of immigration rules could increase Bulgaria's population and workforce. Even more important, the Government must turn Bulgaria into a place of optimism and opportunity. Years of exposure to endemic corruption, organized crime and compromised politicians have left Bulgarians with little optimism about future prospects inside the country. The best, brightest, and hardest working vote with their feet by moving abroad. Any government that tackles the country's rule of law issues head on has at least a chance of attracting Bulgarians back to the land they once left.