Bulgaria Population: How Many People Live in Bulgaria?
Historical Population Data (1960-2024)
What is the population of Bulgaria? The current Bulgaria population is 6 444 366 people in 2024. Bulgaria has experienced a decline in population over the past six decades. From 7 867 374 people in 1960, the population has decreased to 6 444 366 in 2023, representing a decline of 1 423 008 people (-18.1%).
The country reached its peak population of 8 981 446 in 1988, after which population levels began to decline. This historical data provides valuable insights into Bulgaria's demographic evolution and long-term population trends.
Current Population (2024)
Population in 1960
Total Growth
Peak Population
📈 Population Trend of Bulgaria (1960-2024)
This interactive chart visualizes Bulgaria's population growth over more than six decades, from 1960 to 2024. The trend line shows how the country's total population has changed year by year, making it easy to identify periods of rapid growth, stability, or decline.
Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact population figure for that specific year. The data is sourced from World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025) and provides a comprehensive historical view of demographic changes in Bulgaria.
📊 Bulgaria Population by Decade
|
Year
|
Population
|
Change from Previous Decade
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 7 867 374 | |
| 1970 | 8 489 574 | +622 200 (+7.9%) |
| 1980 | 8 861 535 | +371 961 (+4.4%) |
| 1990 | 8 718 289 | -143 246 (-1.6%) |
| 2000 | 8 170 172 | -548 117 (-6.3%) |
| 2010 | 7 395 599 | -774 573 (-9.5%) |
| 2020 | 6 550 696 | -844 903 (-11.4%) |
| 2024 | 6 444 366 | -106 330 (-1.6%) |
This table presents Bulgaria's population data at key 10-year intervals, providing a clear overview of long-term demographic trends. Each row shows the population count for a specific decade, along with the absolute and percentage change from the previous data point.
By examining these decade-by-decade changes, you can quickly identify major demographic shifts and understand the overall growth pattern of Bulgaria without getting into year-by-year details.
📅 Complete Historical Data of Bulgaria (1960-2024)
|
Year
|
Population
|
Annual Change
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 7 867 374 | |
| 1961 | 7 943 118 | +75 744 |
| 1962 | 8 012 946 | +69 828 |
| 1963 | 8 078 145 | +65 199 |
| 1964 | 8 144 340 | +66 195 |
| 1965 | 8 204 168 | +59 828 |
| 1966 | 8 258 057 | +53 889 |
| 1967 | 8 310 226 | +52 169 |
| 1968 | 8 369 603 | +59 377 |
| 1969 | 8 434 172 | +64 569 |
| 1970 | 8 489 574 | +55 402 |
| 1971 | 8 536 395 | +46 821 |
| 1972 | 8 576 200 | +39 805 |
| 1973 | 8 620 967 | +44 767 |
| 1974 | 8 678 745 | +57 778 |
| 1975 | 8 720 742 | +41 997 |
| 1976 | 8 758 599 | +37 857 |
| 1977 | 8 804 183 | +45 584 |
| 1978 | 8 814 032 | +9 849 |
| 1979 | 8 825 940 | +11 908 |
| 1980 | 8 861 535 | +35 595 |
| 1981 | 8 891 117 | +29 582 |
| 1982 | 8 917 457 | +26 340 |
| 1983 | 8 939 738 | +22 281 |
| 1984 | 8 960 679 | +20 941 |
| 1985 | 8 960 547 | -132 |
| 1986 | 8 958 171 | -2 376 |
| 1987 | 8 971 359 | +13 188 |
| 1988 | 8 981 446 | +10 087 |
| 1989 | 8 876 972 | -104 474 |
| 1990 | 8 718 289 | -158 683 |
| 1991 | 8 632 367 | -85 922 |
| 1992 | 8 540 164 | -92 203 |
| 1993 | 8 472 313 | -67 851 |
| 1994 | 8 443 591 | -28 722 |
| 1995 | 8 406 067 | -37 524 |
| 1996 | 8 362 826 | -43 241 |
| 1997 | 8 312 068 | -50 758 |
| 1998 | 8 256 786 | -55 282 |
| 1999 | 8 210 624 | -46 162 |
| 2000 | 8 170 172 | -40 452 |
| 2001 | 8 009 142 | -161 030 |
| 2002 | 7 837 161 | -171 981 |
| 2003 | 7 775 327 | -61 834 |
| 2004 | 7 716 860 | -58 467 |
| 2005 | 7 658 972 | -57 888 |
| 2006 | 7 601 022 | -57 950 |
| 2007 | 7 545 338 | -55 684 |
| 2008 | 7 492 561 | -52 777 |
| 2009 | 7 444 443 | -48 118 |
| 2010 | 7 395 599 | -48 844 |
| 2011 | 7 348 328 | -47 271 |
| 2012 | 7 305 888 | -42 440 |
| 2013 | 7 160 005 | -145 883 |
| 2014 | 7 073 572 | -86 433 |
| 2015 | 6 984 225 | -89 347 |
| 2016 | 6 894 139 | -90 086 |
| 2017 | 6 803 468 | -90 671 |
| 2018 | 6 710 798 | -92 670 |
| 2019 | 6 616 726 | -94 072 |
| 2020 | 6 550 696 | -66 030 |
| 2021 | 6 507 301 | -43 395 |
| 2022 | 6 465 097 | -42 204 |
| 2023 | 6 446 596 | -18 501 |
| 2024 | 6 444 366 | -2 230 |
This comprehensive table displays the complete year-by-year population records for Bulgaria from 1960 to 2024. Each row represents one calendar year, showing the total population and the annual change compared to the previous year.
Use this detailed dataset to analyze short-term population fluctuations, identify specific years with significant changes, or track precise demographic patterns. The sortable columns allow you to organize the data by year, population size, or annual change to suit your research needs. Data source: World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Bulgaria Population
What is the current population of Bulgaria?
The population of Bulgaria is estimated to be approximately 6 444 366 people as of 2024, based on official data from the World Bank.
How fast is the population of Bulgaria growing?
Bulgaria has experienced a decline with an average annual decline rate of approximately 0.31% per year from 1960 to 2024. The total population has decreased by 1 423 008 people (-18.1%) over this 64-year period.
How does Bulgaria's population compare to other countries?
Bulgaria ranks #156 in the world by population as of 2024, making it one of the less populous countries globally. With 6 444 366 people, Bulgaria accounts for approximately 0.01% of the world's total population.
How has the population of Bulgaria changed over time?
Over the past decades, Bulgaria's population has decreased from 7 867 374 people in 1960 to 6 444 366 in 2024. The country reached its peak population of 8 981 446 in 1988. This decline can be attributed to factors such as low birth rates, emigration, or economic challenges.
What were the population milestones of Bulgaria?
Bulgaria achieved several significant demographic milestones throughout its history. The population first reached 7 867 374 in 1960, and grew to its current level of 6 444 366 by 2024. The highest recorded population was 8 981 446 people in 1988, while the lowest in recent history was 6 444 366 in 2024.
What factors influence population growth in Bulgaria?
Key factors influencing population dynamics in Bulgaria include birth and death rates, migration patterns, government policies related to family planning and immigration, healthcare infrastructure and life expectancy, economic conditions affecting family size decisions, urbanization trends, and socio-cultural factors. The country's negative population trend over the past 64 years reflects the combined impact of these various demographic drivers.
Where can I find historical population data for Bulgaria?
This page provides comprehensive historical population data for Bulgaria from 1960 to 2024, sourced directly from the World Bank's official database. The data includes year-by-year population figures, decade summaries, growth rates, and interactive charts showing long-term demographic trends. This information is updated regularly (last update: 10/7/2025) to ensure accuracy and reliability for research, educational, and analytical purposes.