What is population growth rate in Bulgaria?

Population growth rate in Bulgaria was -0.5% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest population growth rate recorded in Bulgaria?

The highest recorded value was 1.1% in 1950.

What is the lowest population growth rate recorded in Bulgaria?

The lowest recorded value was -1.6% in 1992.

How does Bulgaria rank for population growth rate?

Bulgaria ranks 213th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.

Is population growth rate rising or falling in Bulgaria?

Over the last ten years it is up 3.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Bulgaria data come from?

The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Population growth rate in Bulgaria

Name: Population growth rate in Bulgaria
Creator: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Bulgaria: Population growth rate was -0.5% in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)

-0.5%

Change on year

down 41.3%

World rank

213th

of 236 countries

All-time high

1.1%

in 1950

All-time low

-1.6%

in 1992

Years of data

1950–2023

Population growth rate in Bulgaria, 1950–2023

Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

In 2023, population growth rate in Bulgaria stood at -0.5%.

The figure is down 41.3% on the previous year and up 3.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, population growth rate in Bulgaria peaked at 1.1% in 1950 and was at its lowest, -1.6%, in 1992.

That places Bulgaria 213th out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1950s	0.8%	0.6%	1.1%	10
1960s	0.8%	0.6%	1.0%	10
1970s	0.4%	-0.2%	0.7%	10
1980s	0.0%	-1.2%	0.3%	10
1990s	-1.0%	-1.6%	-0.5%	10
2000s	-0.7%	-0.9%	-0.6%	10
2010s	-0.7%	-0.9%	-0.5%	10
2020s	-0.6%	-1.1%	-0.4%	4

Countries ranked near Bulgaria

210 North Macedonia -0.5% compare
211 Dominica -0.5% compare
212 Japan -0.5% compare
214 Romania -0.5% compare
215 Bosnia and Herzegovina -0.6% compare
216 Belarus -0.7% compare

See the full ranking of 236 places →

More population data for Bulgaria

Literate and illiterate world population 1.6% (2011)

All data for Bulgaria →

Frequently asked questions

What is population growth rate in Bulgaria?: Population growth rate in Bulgaria was -0.5% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest population growth rate recorded in Bulgaria?: The highest recorded value was 1.1% in 1950.
What is the lowest population growth rate recorded in Bulgaria?: The lowest recorded value was -1.6% in 1992.
How does Bulgaria rank for population growth rate?: Bulgaria ranks 213th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
Is population growth rate rising or falling in Bulgaria?: Over the last ten years it is up 3.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Bulgaria data come from?: The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

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About this data

Indicator: Population growth rate
Unit: %
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 236 places, 17,464 data points, 1950–2023
Last refreshed: 06 August 2026

The annual rate at which the population is growing, expressed as a percentage.