World · permanent entity record · BU

Bulgaria

Thirty-second orientation

Bulgaria at a glance

Capital: Sofia; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 6,433,302; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 110,879 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Bulgarian(s); adjective: Bulgarian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: parliamentary republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Bulgarian (official) 77.3%, Turkish 7.9%, Romani 3.5%, other 1%, unspecified 10.4% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Bulgaria through time

1955-12-14
Admitted to the United Nations
Bulgaria became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	6,433,302World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 6,737,997 (2025 est.) male: 3,281,215 female: 3,456,782CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $130.8 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $20,328; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 75.8 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 74.2%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 100.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 82.4%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Source footnote: Source and notes: National Statistical Institute, Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Sofia; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 110,879 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 6,433,302; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Source footnote: Extrapolated assuming the same growth rate as previous 6 months. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: leva (BGN); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Bulgarian (official) 77.3%, Turkish 7.9%, Romani 3.5%, other 1%, unspecified 10.4% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Bulgarian(s); adjective: Bulgarian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: parliamentary republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1955-12-14; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Europe; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Europe.”
Coastline: 354 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Christian 64.7%, Muslim 9.8%, other 0.1%, none 4.7%, unspecified 20.7% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: white, green, red; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: lion; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Musala · 9,596 ft (2,925 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Black Sea · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century, the Ottoman Turks overran the country. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878, and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004, the EU in 2007, and the Schengen Area for air and sea travel in 2024.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography19 fields

Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 43 00 N, 25 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Europe; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 110,879 sq km land: 108,489 sq km water: 2,390 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: almost identical in size to Virginia; slightly larger than Tennessee; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 1,806 km border countries (5): Greece 472 km; Macedonia 162 km; Romania 605 km; Serbia 344 km; Turkey 223 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 354 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Musala 2,925 m lowest point: Black Sea 0 m mean elevation: 472 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 46.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 32.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 12.7% (2023 est.) forest: 36.2% (2023 est.) other: 17.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 929 sq km (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major rivers (by length in km): Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger populations; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: earthquakes; landslides; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society34 fields

Population: total: 6,737,997 (2025 est.) male: 3,281,215 female: 3,456,782; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Bulgarian(s) adjective: Bulgarian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Bulgarian 78.5%, Turkish 7.8%, Roma 4.1%, other 1.2%, unspecified 9.4% (2021 est.) note: Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 9–11% of Bulgaria's population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: Bulgarian (official) 77.3%, Turkish 7.9%, Romani 3.5%, other 1%, unspecified 10.4% (2021 est.) major-language sample(s): Светoвен Алманах, незаменимият източник за основна информация. (Bulgarian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Christian 64.7%, Muslim 9.8%, other 0.1%, none 4.7%, unspecified 20.7% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.8% (male 479,586/female 453,423) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 2,250,962/female 2,171,279) 65 years and over: 21% (2024 est.) (male 572,943/female 854,466); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 53.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 20.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 32.7 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 3.1 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 45.5 years (2025 est.) male: 43.3 years female: 47 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: -0.66% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 7.88 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 14.18 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger populations; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 76.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 1.288 million SOFIA (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 26.4 years (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 6 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 8.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.1 years (2024 est.) male: 72.9 years female: 79.4 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 1.52 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 0.74 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 97.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 2.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.9% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 8.6% of GDP (2021) 11.6% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 4.33 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Hospital bed density: 7.8 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 25% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 11.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 4.44 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 1.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 4.96 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 33.1% (2025 est.) male: 36.2% (2025 est.) female: 30.3% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.6% (2014); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 56.6% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 4.5% of GDP (2022 est.) 12% national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years (2023 est.) male: 15 years (2023 est.) female: 16 years (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 46.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 32.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 12.7% (2023 est.) forest: 36.2% (2023 est.) other: 17.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 76.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 33.465 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 14.486 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 13.958 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 5.021 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 18.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.859 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 29.8% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 838 million cubic meters (2022) industrial: 3.879 billion cubic meters (2022) agricultural: 726.434 million cubic meters (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 21.3 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government24 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria conventional short form: Bulgaria local long form: Republika Bulgaria local short form: Bulgaria former: Kingdom of Bulgaria, People's Republic of Bulgaria etymology: named after the Bulgar tribes who settled the lower Balkan region in the 7th century A.D.; the tribal name may come from the Turkic word bulga, or "mixed," referring to the blend of Turkic and Slavic ethnicities in the tribes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: parliamentary republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: Sofia geographic coordinates: 42 41 N, 23 19 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: named after the Church of Saint Sofia in the city, parts of which may date to the 4th century; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Haskovo, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Sofia-Grad (Sofia City), Stara Zagora, Targovishte, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: civil law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: several previous; latest drafted between late 1990 and early 1991, adopted 13 July 1991 amendment process: proposed by the National Assembly or by the president of the republic; passage requires three-fourths majority vote of National Assembly members in three ballots; signed by the National Assembly chairperson; note - under special circumstances, a "Grand National Assembly" is elected with the authority to write a new constitution and amend certain articles of the constitution, including those affecting basic civil rights and national sovereignty; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote in each of several readings; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Bulgaria dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Rumen RADEV (since 22 January 2017) head of government: Prime Minister Rosen ZHELYAZKOV (since 16 January 2025) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly election/appointment process: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly most recent election date: 14 and 21 November 2021 election results: 2021: Rumen RADEV reelected president in second round; percent of vote in the first round - Rumen RADEV (independent) 49.4%, Anastas GERDZHIKOV (independent) 22.8%, Mustafa KARADAYI (DPS) 11.6%, Kostadin KOSTADINOV (Revival) 3.9%, Lozan PANOV (independent) 3.7%, other 8.6%; percent of vote in the second round - Rumen RADEV 66.7%, Anastas GERDZHIKOV 31.8%, neither 1.5% 2016: Rumen RADEV elected president in second round; percent of vote - Rumen RADEV (independent, supported by Bulgarian Socialist Party) 59.4%, Tsetska TSACHEVA (GERB) 36.2%, neither 4.5% expected date of next election: fall 2026; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: National Assembly (Narodno sabranie) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 240 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 10/27/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria Party (GERB) - Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) (66); We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (36); Revival (Vuzrazhdane) (33); Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) - New Beginning (29); Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) - United Left (19); Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (APS) (19); There is Such a People (PP-ITN) (17); Other (21) percentage of women in chamber: 25% expected date of next election: October 2028; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court of Cassation consists of a chairman and approximately 72 judges organized into penal, civil, and commercial colleges; Supreme Administrative Court is organized into 2 colleges with various panels of 5 judges each; Constitutional Court consists of 12 justices) and resides outside the judiciary judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Cassation and Supreme Administrative judges elected by the Supreme Judicial Council or SJC (consists of 25 members with extensive legal experience) and appointed by the president; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Constitutional Court justices elected by the National Assembly and appointed by the president and the SJC; justices appointed for 9-year terms with renewal of 4 justices every 3 years subordinate courts: appeals courts; regional and district courts; administrative courts; courts martial; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: BSP for Bulgaria (electoral alliance of BSP, PKT, Ecoglasnost) Bulgarian Rise or BV Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB (alliance with SDS) Democratic Bulgaria or DB (electoral alliance of Yes! Bulgaria, DSB, and The Greens) Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB Ecoglasnost Green Movement or The Greens Movement for Rights and Freedoms or DPS Political Club Thrace or PKT Revival Stand Up.BG or IS.BG There is Such a People or ITN Union of Democratic Forces or SDS (alliance with GERB) Yes! Bulgaria We Continue the Change or PP We Continue the Change and Democratic Bulgaria or PP-DB (electoral alliance of PP, DB, Yes! Bulgaria); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Stefka YOVCHEVA (since 7 May 2025) chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387 5770 FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973 email address and website: office@bulgaria-embassy.org https://www.bulgaria-embassy.org/en/homepage/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires H. Martin McDOWELL (since May 2025) embassy: 16, Kozyak Street, Sofia 1408 mailing address: 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740 telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100 FAX: [359] (2) 937-5209 email address and website: acs_sofia@state.gov https://bg.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EU, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Liberation Day, 3 March (1878); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red meaning: white stands for peace, love, and freedom; green for the country's agricultural wealth; red for the independence struggle and military courage history: originally adopted in 1879 as a modified version of the Russian tricolor flag, using green instead of blue; the communist coat of arms was added to the flag in various forms between 1948 and 1990, when it was removed after the communist government collapsed; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): lion; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): white, green, red; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National coat of arms: Bulgaria’s coat of arms in the national colors of white, green, and red was adopted in 1997; the three lions are a national symbol for strength, courage, and leadership that was used during the country’s liberation movement in the 1870s and the kingdom period in the early 20th century; above the shield is the crown of Bulgaria (originally the crown of the medieval Bulgarian tsars) with a gold cross on top; a white scroll over the oak branches bears the Bulgarian national motto, “United we stand strong”; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: “Mila Rodino” (Dear Homeland) lyrics/music: Tsvetan RADOSLAVOV history: adopted 1964; composed in 1885 by a student en route to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 10 (7 cultural, 3 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Boyana Church (c); Madara Rider (c); Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (c); Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo (c); Rila Monastery (c); Ancient City of Nessebar (c); Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari (c); Srebarna Nature Reserve (n); Pirin National Park (n); Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians (n); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy32 fields

Economic overview: upper-middle-income EU economy; currency pegged to the euro, with eurozone accession pending; declining energy prices helping lower inflation rate; EU structural funds contributing to investment recovery; skilled labor shortage driven by emigration and aging population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $219.645 billion (2024 est.) $213.64 billion (2023 est.) $209.683 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 2.8% (2024 est.) 1.9% (2023 est.) 4% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $34,100 (2024 est.) $33,100 (2023 est.) $32,400 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $112.212 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (2024 est.) 9.4% (2023 est.) 15.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.1% (2024 est.) industry: 22.5% (2024 est.) services: 62.6% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 57.6% (2024 est.) government consumption: 19.7% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.9% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 2.5% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 55.8% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -53.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: wheat, maize, sunflower seeds, barley, milk, rapeseed, grapes, potatoes, triticale, tomatoes (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, automotive parts, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel; outsourcing centers; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 3.124 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 4.2% (2024 est.) 4.4% (2023 est.) 4.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 12.1% (2024 est.) male: 12.4% (2024 est.) female: 11.8% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 20.6% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 38.2 (2022 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Average household expenditures: on food: 20.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 4.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% (2022 est.) highest 10%: 30.1% (2022 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 2.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 2.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $35.615 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $37.546 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 30.1% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 20.5% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: -$2.014 billion (2024 est.) -$894.86 million (2023 est.) -$2.43 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $62.661 billion (2024 est.) $63.415 billion (2023 est.) $63.246 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: Germany 14%, Romania 11%, Italy 8%, Greece 6%, Turkey 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, garments, refined copper, wheat, natural gas (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $60.029 billion (2024 est.) $59.158 billion (2023 est.) $62.261 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: Germany 12%, Turkey 8%, Romania 8%, Russia 7%, Italy 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, copper ore, cars, packaged medicine, electricity (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $43.698 billion (2024 est.) $46.334 billion (2023 est.) $40.989 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $14.277 billion (2022 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: leva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.808 (2024 est.) 1.809 (2023 est.) 1.86 (2022 est.) 1.654 (2021 est.) 1.716 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy8 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 99.6%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 12.939 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 34.221 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 7.748 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 4.415 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.972 billion kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 35.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) nuclear: 40.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 8.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 7.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 4.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nuclear energy: Number of operational nuclear reactors: 2 (2025) Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 2.01GW (2025 est.) Percent of total electricity production: 40.3% (2023 est.) Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 4 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: production: 20.97 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 20.557 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 1.091 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 753,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 2.174 billion metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 101,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 15 million barrels (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural gas: production: 10.444 million cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 2.607 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 2.75 million cubic meters (2020 est.) imports: 2.544 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 5.663 billion cubic meters (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 102.171 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 552,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 7.98 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: 4 national terrestrial TV stations with 1 state-owned and 3 privately owned; a vast array of TV stations are available from cable and satellite TV providers; state-owned national radio broadcasts over 3 networks; large number of private radio stations, especially in urban areas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .bg; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 80% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2.45 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation6 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: LZ; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 107 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Heliports: 8 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 4,029 km (2020) 2,871 km electrified; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 78 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 13, oil tanker 8, other 55; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 2 (2024) large: 1 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Burgas, Varna; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security7 fields

Military and security forces: Bulgarian Armed Forces (aka Bulgarian Army): Land Forces, Air Force, Navy Ministry of Interior: General Directorate National Police (GDNP), General Directorate Border Police (GDBP), Special Unit for Combating Terrorism (SOBT) (2025) note: the GDNP includes the Gendarmerie, a special police force with military status deployed to secure important facilities, buildings and infrastructure, respond to riots, and counter militant threats; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 2.1% of GDP (2025 est.) 2% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 28,000 active duty Armed Forces (2025) note: in 2021, Bulgaria released a 10-year defense plan which called for an active military strength of 43,000; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the military's inventory consists largely of Soviet-era armaments, although in recent years Bulgaria has procured some more modern Western weapons systems in an effort to modernize and achieve NATO interoperability (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary service for men and women (2025) note: in 2020, Bulgaria announced a program to allow every citizen up to the age of 40 to join the armed forces for 6 months of military service in the voluntary reserve; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military deployments: 160 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the Bulgarian military is responsible for guaranteeing Bulgaria’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, providing support to international peace and security missions, and contributing to national security in peacetime, including such missions as responding to disasters or assisting with border security; the military trains regularly including in multinational exercises with regional partners and with NATO since Bulgaria joined the organization in 2004; it also participates in overseas peacekeeping and other security missions under the EU, NATO, and the UN; in 2022, Bulgaria established and began leading a NATO multinational battlegroup as part of an effort to boost NATO defenses in Eastern Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; in 2021, Bulgaria approved a 10-year defense development program, which included calls for equipment upgrades and procurements, boosts in manpower, organizational reforms, and greater focus on such areas as cyber defense, communications, logistics support, and research and development the Bulgarian military has participated in several significant conflicts since its establishment in 1878, including the Serbo-Bulgarian War (1885), the First Balkan War (1912-13), the Second Balkan War (1913), World War I (1915-1918), and World War II (1941-45); during the Cold War it was one of the Warsaw Pact’s largest militaries with over 150,000 personnel and more than 200 Soviet-made combat aircraft (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Space3 fields

Space agency/agencies: Space Research and Technology Institute - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTI-BAS; formed in 1987 but originated from the Central Laboratory for Space Research and the Bulgarian Aerospace Agency, which was established in 1969) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Space program overview: has a long history of space-related activities going back to the 1960s; develops, produces, and operates satellites; researches, develops, and produces other space technologies, including those related to astrophysics, remote sensing, data exploitation, optics, and electronics; has specialized in producing scientific instruments for space research; has more than 20 research institutes; Cooperating State of the ESA since 2015; works with a variety of foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of the ESA, EU, individual ESA and EU member states, India, Japan, Russia, and the US (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Key space-program milestones: 1960s-1990s - participated in the Soviet Interkosmos program, which included the first Bulgarian in space (1979), first domestically produced scientific satellite launched on a Soviet rocket (1981), and participation in the Soviet VEGA project (1985) 2017 - first communications satellite (BulgariaSat-1) built and launched by US 2019 - first domestically built data/educational cube satellite (EnduroSat-1) launched by US 2023 - signed the US-led Artemis Accords outlining principles for cooperation in space exploration 2025 - domestically produced, multispectral remote sensing satellite (Balkan-1) launched by US as part of EU's Copernicus Earth observation program; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Terrorism1 fields

Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues1 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 114,728 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 862 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

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Bulgaria at a glance

Bulgaria through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile