People & economy

Bulgaria: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Bulgaria: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Population & Geography

Population
7,000,039
#104 of 197 countries
Area
110,879 km²
#107 of 248 countries
Density
63.1 / km²
#151 of 245 countries

Bulgaria has a population of 7,000,039 spread across 110,879 km², giving it an average density of 63.1 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
45.5
Life Expectancy
76.1 yrs
Government
parliamentary republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Bulgaria is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 41% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$15,853
Cost of Living
41% of US
Inflation
9.4%
Inequality
38.2
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$34,100
Unemployment
4.2%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 4.5% of Bulgaria's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$1,792,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
4.5%
Outbound Tourists
3,973,000
Air Passengers
723,825
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Bulgaria there are 4.33 doctors per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
4.33/1k
Hospital Beds
8.2/1k
Health Spend
$1258/person
Infant Mortality
5.0/1k
Immunization
94%
Safe Drinking Water
99.2%
Basic Sanitation
86.1%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Bulgaria, 80% of the population uses the internet, so expect WiFi in most hotels, cafes and public spaces. There are 118 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
80.4%
Mobile Subs
118/100
Broadband
37.0/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data