Quick facts
Bulgaria population overview
Bulgaria is the 20th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 6,692,776 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.7% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 134 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 59,566 births (8.9 per 1,000 people) and 102,399 deaths (15.3 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 6,023 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population fell from 7,867,374 in 1960 to 6,433,302 in 2025 — a change of -18.2%, or -0.3% per year on average. It peaked at 8,981,446 in 1988 and has declined 25.9% since.
Demographically, the median age is 45 years; life expectancy at birth is 76.1 years; women have on average 1.7 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 14.4% of residents are under 15 and 22.2% are 65 or older (2025); 74.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Sofia. Bulgaria covers 110,997 km², giving a population density of about 59.9 people per km². GDP was $130.78B in 2025 — about $20,328 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Bulgaria population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 6,653,813 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 6,692,776 |
| World rank | #110 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #20 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.080% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.7% |
| Births per year est. | 59,566 |
| Deaths per year est. | 102,399 |
| Net migration per year est. | -6,023 |
| Birth rate | 8.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 15.3 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 4.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 93.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 45 years |
| Life expectancy | 76.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.7 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 74.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 110,997 km² |
| Population density | 59.9 per km² |
| Capital | Sofia |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $130.78B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $20,328 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Bulgaria population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 6,653,813 | – | – |
| 2025 | 6,433,302 | -8,119 | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 6,441,421 | -5,175 | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 6,446,596 | -18,501 | -0.3% |
| 2022 | 6,465,097 | -42,204 | -0.6% |
| 2021 | 6,507,301 | -43,395 | -0.7% |
| 2020 | 6,550,696 | -433,529 | -1.3% |
| 2015 | 6,984,225 | -411,374 | -1.1% |
| 2010 | 7,395,599 | -263,373 | -0.7% |
| 2005 | 7,658,972 | -511,200 | -1.3% |
| 2000 | 8,170,172 | -235,895 | -0.6% |
| 1995 | 8,406,067 | -312,222 | -0.7% |
| 1990 | 8,718,289 | -242,258 | -0.5% |
| 1985 | 8,960,547 | +99,012 | +0.2% |
| 1980 | 8,861,535 | +140,793 | +0.3% |
| 1975 | 8,720,742 | +231,168 | +0.5% |
| 1970 | 8,489,574 | +285,406 | +0.7% |
| 1965 | 8,204,168 | +336,794 | +0.8% |
| 1960 | 7,867,374 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Bulgaria
Population over time
- From 7,867,374 in 1960 to 6,653,813 today — down 15.4%.
- Population peaked at 8,981,446 in 1988 and is down 25.9% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.8% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 75.8 years (2024), up 6.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.7 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 8.3 births vs 15.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 7.3 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 14.4% of the population is under 15 and 22.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 7.5% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 34.19 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 94.61 Mt in 1980 — down 63.9% since.
- Per person: 5.31 t in 2024, vs 8.14 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,604.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 19% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 20.4% of final energy in 2021 (+18.6 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 36.2% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 30.1% to 36.2% since 1990 — roughly 6,822 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 74.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 37.1% in 1960 (+37.1 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1969.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 25.9% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 3,248 m³ in 2022, up 22.9% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $130.78B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 157.6% since 2015.
- That works out to $20,328 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 4.6% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 82.4% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 118.1 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Bulgaria in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Bulgaria in 2026?
As of October 2026, Bulgaria has an estimated population of 6,653,813. The United Nations estimated 6,692,776 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Bulgaria growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.7% per year — roughly 134 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 59,566 births and 102,399 deaths, with net migration of -6,023.
What is the population density of Bulgaria?
About 59.9 people per square kilometre: 6,653,813 people living on 110,997 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Bulgaria?
The median age is 45 years, and life expectancy at birth is 76.1 years. 14.4% of the population is under 15 and 22.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Bulgaria rank by population?
Bulgaria is the 110th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 20th in Europe, with 0.080% of the global population.
How has the population of Bulgaria changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 7,867,374; by 2025 it had fallen to 6,433,302 (-18.2%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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NicaraguaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.