National Statistical Institute announces final data on Bulgaria’s population in 2025

As of December 31 2025, the population of Bulgaria was 6 423 207  people, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said on April 29, announcing final data.

Compared with 2024, Bulgaria’s population had decreased by 14 153 people, about 0.22 per cent, the NSI said.

The male population was 3 088 245 (48.1 per cent) and female  3 334 962 (51.9 per cent), or 1 000 males corresponded to 1 080 females.

Males prevail among the population aged up to 55 years (inclusive). The number and share of females in the total population increased among the elderly.

By the end of 2025, the number of people aged 65 and over was 1 557 851, or 24.3 per cent of Bulgaria’s population.

The share of people aged 65 and over was highest in the districts Vidin (31.6 per cent), Smolyan (31.1 per cent), and Gabrovo (30.8 per cent). The lowest was the share of the elderly population in the districts Sofia (stolitsa) – 19.2 per cent, and Varna – 21.7 per cent.

As of December 31 2025,  children up to 15 years of age in the country added up to 891 674, about 13.9 per cent of the total population.

The share of the population under 15 years of age was highest in the districts Sliven – 18.7 per cent, and Yambol – 15.2 per cent. Lowest was the share registered in the districts Smolyan – 10.0 per cent, and Vidin – 11.4 per cent.

Population ageing over the years has led to an increase in the population’s mean age. It has increased to 45.4 years at the end of 2025. The mean age of the population is 44.6 years in urban areas, compared to 47.7 years in rural areas, the NSI said.

(Photo: Donna Adenine)