Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

A quarter of Bulgarians are willing to maintain friendships with HIV-positive people

Photo: BTA

Public attitudes towards HIV/AIDS in Bulgaria show that a quarter of Bulgarians are ready to keep friendships with HIV-positive people, BTA reported. Men are slightly more tolerant than women (28% versus 23%). The data are from a national representative survey by Trend commissioned by the Health Without Borders association, which runs the only non-state-funded sexual health center CheckPoint Sofia. The survey was conducted November 8-15, 2024 among the adult Bulgarian population, through a direct standardized interview among 1,006 people aged 18+ and is representative of the population of Bulgaria in the 18+ age category.

The results show that Bulgarians still have difficulty accepting HIV-positive people in their personal lives and only 3% of respondents would marry an HIV-positive person. While 19% of the youngest (18–29 years old) respondents declare readiness for such marriage, this percentage drops to 8% among people over 60. The unemployed demonstrate the highest tolerance – 43%. 23% of people are ready to play sports with an HIV-positive person. The greatest tolerance is shown by residents of regional cities (28%) and university graduates (26%), while in villages the percentage is significantly lower (14%).



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Europe mourns the victims of the Koçani tragedy

A total of 59 people lost their lives and 155 were injured in a fire that flared up during a concert by the popular band DNK in North Macedonia last night. The fire erupted at the Pulse club in the town of Koçani, 65 km from the Bulgarian border.  Some of..

published on 3/16/25 8:47 PM
Zlatna Panega river, in the background St George the Great Martyr church in the town of Lukovit.

Wind, rain and a sharp drop in temperature

Overnight, clouds over the north and east will bring brief showers. There will be light to moderate westerly winds which will increase in strength on Monday, veering north-west and bringing in cold air. Showers will be widespread, especially in the..

published on 3/16/25 6:31 PM

No Bulgarians injured in Kočani fire, says Foreign Ministry

The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that there are no reports of Bulgarian citizens being injured in the fire in the Macedonian city of Kočani. The Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje is in constant contact with Macedonian authorities and..

published on 3/16/25 5:29 PM