Bulgaria Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Bulgaria's dependency ratio was 57.65 in 2025, ranked 90th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Bulgaria's dependency ratio stood at 57.65 in 2025, a rise of +0.16 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 57.65 by 2025. Bulgaria ranked 90th globally.
Bulgaria's dependency ratio, a key indicator of the proportion of its population that is either too young or too old to work, has experienced significant fluctuations over the past six decades. At 57.65, the current dependency ratio ranks Bulgaria 90th globally, with Denmark ranking closest at 57.74. Notably, Bulgaria's all-time peak of 57.65 was reached in 2025, while its all-time trough of 44.74 occurred in 2006, marking a decline of nearly 13 percentage points over the past two decades. This downward trend is a significant improvement for the country, as a lower dependency ratio generally indicates a more robust workforce and potentially higher economic growth. However, Bulgaria's aging population and low fertility rates pose ongoing challenges to sustaining this trend, and a decline in working-age population due to emigration and aging may hinder future economic growth unless the government implements effective policies to address these issues.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 58.12 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 57.89 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 57.65 | - | - |
| 2025 | 57.65 | +0.16 | #90 |
| 2024 | 57.49 | +0.33 | #129 |
| 2023 | 57.16 | +0.33 | #128 |
| 2022 | 56.83 | +0.12 | #123 |
| 2021 | 56.71 | +0.17 | #123 |
| 2020 | 56.54 | +0.62 | #123 |
| 2019 | 55.92 | +0.95 | #119 |
| 2018 | 54.97 | +1.03 | #116 |
| 2017 | 53.94 | +1.04 | #112 |
| 2016 | 52.91 | +1.12 | #105 |
| 2015 | 51.78 | +1.23 | #97 |
| 2014 | 50.56 | +1.25 | #93 |
| 2013 | 49.31 | +1.14 | #81 |
| 2012 | 48.17 | +1.03 | #74 |
| 2011 | 47.13 | +0.93 | #63 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bulgaria matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bulgaria's dependency ratio was 57.65 in 2025. Ranked 90th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
Bulgaria's dependency ratio peaked at 57.65 in 2025.
The lowest dependency ratio in Bulgaria was 44.74 in 2006.
Bulgaria ranks 90th globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bulgaria's dependency ratio is projected to reach 57.65 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Bulgaria in 2025 was 57.65. This ranks 90th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bulgaria_dependency-ratio,
title = {Bulgaria Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bulgaria/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}