Bulgaria Population
Europe & Central Asia · 112th most populous · High income
Population right now (estimate)
6,371,144
The population of Bulgaria is about 6,371,144 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 6.4 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.08% of the world's people.
Bulgaria is ranked 112th of 217 by population. The population is shrinking, by about 0.73% a year. It peaked around 1988 at 9.0 million and is projected to fall to 5.2 million by 2050. It has fewer people today than in 1960 (7.9 million). Population density is 59 people per square kilometre. 74% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
6.4 million
Yearly change
−0.73%
World rank
112th
Share of world
0.08%
Density
59/km²
Land area
108,560 km²
Life expectancy
75.8 yrs
Births per woman
1.72
GDP per capita
$20,328
GDP
$130.8B
Population of Bulgaria, 1960–2050
Bulgaria population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 7,867,374 | — | 72 |
| 1970 | 8,489,574 | +0.66% | 78 |
| 1980 | 8,861,535 | +0.40% | 82 |
| 1990 | 8,718,289 | −1.79% | 80 |
| 2000 | 8,170,172 | −0.49% | 75 |
| 2010 | 7,395,599 | −0.66% | 68 |
| 2020 | 6,550,696 | −1.00% | 60 |
| 2024 | 6,441,421 | −0.08% | 59 |
| 2026proj. | 6,386,582 | −0.73% | 59 |
| 2030proj. | 6,177,443 | −0.88% | 57 |
| 2040proj. | 5,641,857 | −0.91% | 52 |
| 2050proj. | 5,159,435 | −0.90% | 48 |
Bulgaria vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 27.8 times as many people as Bulgaria. Bangladesh is 23.2 times more densely populated.
Bulgaria population: questions and answers
What is the population of Bulgaria in 2026?
About 6,386,582 (6.4 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Bulgaria's population growing?
No — it is falling by about 0.73% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Bulgaria?
About 59 people per km², with a land area of 108,560 km².
What will the population of Bulgaria be in 2050?
About 5.2 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Bulgaria?
Sofia.
What is the life expectancy in Bulgaria?
75.8 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.