Population · Europe · 2025 data
Bulgaria Population
Bulgaria had a population of 6.43 million in 2025, ranking #111 of 216 countries and territories (0.08% of the world). The population fell by 7.9% over the past ten years and peaked in 1988 at 8.98 million.
6.43 million
Population (2025) · #111
-0.13%
Annual growth
59
People per km²
74%
Live in cities
Population of Bulgaria, 1960–2025
7.91960
8.21965
8.51970
8.71975
8.91980
9.01985
8.71990
8.41995
8.22000
7.72005
7.42010
7.02015
6.62020
6.42025
Values in millions · World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0)
Population by year (table)
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6,433,302 | -0.13% |
| 2024 | 6,441,421 | -0.08% |
| 2023 | 6,446,596 | -0.29% |
| 2022 | 6,465,097 | -0.65% |
| 2021 | 6,507,301 | -0.66% |
| 2020 | 6,550,696 | -1.00% |
| 2019 | 6,616,726 | -1.40% |
| 2018 | 6,710,798 | -1.36% |
| 2017 | 6,803,468 | -1.32% |
| 2016 | 6,894,139 | -1.29% |
| 2015 | 6,984,225 | -1.26% |
| 2014 | 7,073,572 | -1.21% |
| 2013 | 7,160,005 | -2.00% |
| 2012 | 7,305,888 | -0.58% |
| 2011 | 7,348,328 | -0.64% |
| 2010 | 7,395,599 | -0.66% |
| 2009 | 7,444,443 | -0.64% |
| 2008 | 7,492,561 | -0.70% |
| 2007 | 7,545,338 | -0.73% |
| 2006 | 7,601,022 | -0.76% |
| 2005 | 7,658,972 | -0.75% |
| 2004 | 7,716,860 | -0.75% |
| 2003 | 7,775,327 | -0.79% |
| 2002 | 7,837,161 | -2.15% |
| 2001 | 8,009,142 | -1.97% |
| 2000 | 8,170,172 | -0.49% |
| 1999 | 8,210,624 | -0.56% |
| 1998 | 8,256,786 | -0.67% |
| 1997 | 8,312,068 | -0.61% |
| 1996 | 8,362,826 | -0.51% |
| 1995 | 8,406,067 | -0.44% |
| 1994 | 8,443,591 | -0.34% |
| 1993 | 8,472,313 | -0.79% |
| 1992 | 8,540,164 | -1.07% |
| 1991 | 8,632,367 | -0.99% |
| 1990 | 8,718,289 | -1.79% |
| 1989 | 8,876,972 | -1.16% |
| 1988 | 8,981,446 | +0.11% |
| 1987 | 8,971,359 | +0.15% |
| 1986 | 8,958,171 | -0.03% |
| 1985 | 8,960,547 | 0.00% |
| 1984 | 8,960,679 | +0.23% |
| 1983 | 8,939,738 | +0.25% |
| 1982 | 8,917,457 | +0.30% |
| 1981 | 8,891,117 | +0.33% |
| 1980 | 8,861,535 | +0.40% |
| 1979 | 8,825,940 | +0.14% |
| 1978 | 8,814,032 | +0.11% |
| 1977 | 8,804,183 | +0.52% |
| 1976 | 8,758,599 | +0.43% |
| 1975 | 8,720,742 | +0.48% |
| 1974 | 8,678,745 | +0.67% |
| 1973 | 8,620,967 | +0.52% |
| 1972 | 8,576,200 | +0.47% |
| 1971 | 8,536,395 | +0.55% |
| 1970 | 8,489,574 | +0.66% |
| 1969 | 8,434,172 | +0.77% |
| 1968 | 8,369,603 | +0.71% |
| 1967 | 8,310,226 | +0.63% |
| 1966 | 8,258,057 | +0.66% |
| 1965 | 8,204,168 | +0.73% |
| 1964 | 8,144,340 | +0.82% |
| 1963 | 8,078,145 | +0.81% |
| 1962 | 8,012,946 | +0.88% |
| 1961 | 7,943,118 | +0.96% |
| 1960 | 7,867,374 | — |
Demographics of Bulgaria
75.8
Life expectancy (years)
1.72
Births per woman (below replacement)
22.2%
Aged 65 and over
45.5 years
Median age
Ethnic groups
Bulgarian 78.5%, Turkish 7.8%, Roma 4.1%, other 1.2%, unspecified 9.4% (2021 est.)
Languages
Bulgarian (official) 77.3%, Turkish 7.9%, Romani 3.5%, other 1%, unspecified 10.4% (2021 est.)
Religions
Christian 64.7%, Muslim 9.8%, other 0.1%, none 4.7%, unspecified 20.7% (2021 est.)
Where people live
Urban population: 76.7% of total population (2023).
Frequently asked questions about the population of Bulgaria
What is the population of Bulgaria?
Bulgaria had a population of 6.43 million in 2025, ranking #111 of 216 countries and territories (0.08% of the world).
Is the population of Bulgaria growing?
No. The population fell by 7.9% over the past ten years and peaked in 1988 at 8.98 million. Annual growth in 2025: -0.13%.
How has the population of Bulgaria changed since 1960?
It has shrunk by 18%, from 7.87 million in 1960 to 6.43 million in 2025.
How densely populated is Bulgaria?
About 59 people per km² of land (2024).
What is the largest city in Bulgaria?
Sofia — about 1.3 million people in its urban area, and it is also the capital.
Population and demographics: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). Cities, ethnic groups, languages and religions: CIA World Factbook (public domain).