Bulgaria Population

Bulgaria is one of the fastest-shrinking countries in the world. Its population peaked at nearly nine million in 1989, on the eve of communism's collapse, and mass emigration plus low fertility have cut it below seven million since. The projection points toward roughly three and a half million by 2100, which would leave Bulgaria with less than half its Cold War population.

Bulgaria is home to about 6.7 million people in 2026, the 110th largest population of any country. In Eastern Europe, where it lies, that future is driven by fertility, longevity and the movement of people across its borders. Population density stands at about 62 people for every square kilometre of land.

The peak is already behind Bulgaria: its population maxed out at about 9.0 million near 1989 and is contracting. By 2050 the UN expects around 5.4 million people, and by 2100 about 3.5 million.

With fertility near 1.75, just under the 2.1 replacement mark, natural increase is fading.

Half of Bulgaria is currently younger than about 45, but by 2100 the median age is projected to reach around 50, even as life expectancy improves from about 76 years. A rising median age means fewer working-age people supporting each retiree over time.

All of this is a projection, not a prediction. The further out it runs the wider the plausible range becomes, which is why Bulgaria's charts show a low-to-high band around the central line.