Bulgaria
Country statistics · 1990–present
Bulgaria at a Glance
Bulgaria is home to 6.4 million people as of 2024, with a population that is experiencing significant natural population decline. At a GDP per capita of $29,637, it is an upper-middle-income economy — reflecting a developed economy with strong living standards. Life expectancy at birth stands at 75.8 years, close to the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 6.4 million as of 2024. With a birth rate of 8.3 and a death rate of 15.6 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at -7.3 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly -47,022 additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Bulgaria is a smaller economy, with a total GDP that is projected at $180 billion (2029 IMF projection). At $29,637 per person, it is classified as an upper-middle-income economy — reflecting a developed economy with strong living standards. Real GDP growth is projected at 2.6% in 2029, representing modest growth. The unemployment rate is projected at 3.2% (2029 IMF projection), indicating a relatively tight labour market.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 75.8 years (2024), close to the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $1,258 (2023), representing limited per-capita healthcare spending. The adult literacy rate stands at 98.3% (2011), reflecting near-universal literacy. 82.4% of the population use the internet (2024), indicating strong digital connectivity. Access to safe drinking water reaches 96.2% of the population (2024), representing near-universal access to safe drinking water.