Bulgaria Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Bulgaria's labor force participation was 56.12% in 2025, ranked 133rd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Bulgaria's labor force participation stood at 56.12% in 2025, a decline of +0.16pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 56.58% by 2026. Bulgaria ranked 133rd globally.
Bulgaria's labor force participation rate has displayed a gradual upward trend over the past three and a half decades, covering a 36-year period from 1990 to 2025. The latest available figure stands at 56.12%, ranking 133rd globally. Notably, Bulgaria's participation rate peaked in 2023 at 56.90%, a year prior to the current measurement, suggesting a slight decline. Conversely, the all-time trough of 49.44% was recorded in 1996, indicating a recovery of over 7 percentage points since then. Compared to its peer countries, Bulgaria's labor force participation rate is lower than that of Hong Kong SAR, China, which stood at 56.36% in 2025. The trend indicates a relatively stable labor market in Bulgaria, although any significant demographic shifts or changes in labor market policies could influence the trajectory of labor force participation in the future. A decline in working-age population could potentially undermine this trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 56.78% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 56.68% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 56.58% | - | - |
| 2025 | 56.12% | −0.16pp | #133 |
| 2024 | 56.28% | −0.62pp | #133 |
| 2023 | 56.90% | +0.16pp | #132 |
| 2022 | 56.74% | +1.34pp | #132 |
| 2021 | 55.39% | −0.49pp | #131 |
| 2020 | 55.88% | −0.78pp | #126 |
| 2019 | 56.66% | +1.34pp | #132 |
| 2018 | 55.32% | −0.09pp | #138 |
| 2017 | 55.41% | +2.10pp | #139 |
| 2016 | 53.31% | −0.90pp | #147 |
| 2015 | 54.21% | +0.24pp | #145 |
| 2014 | 53.97% | +0.03pp | #144 |
| 2013 | 53.94% | +0.76pp | #143 |
| 2012 | 53.17% | +0.62pp | #145 |
| 2011 | 52.55% | −0.95pp | #146 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bulgaria matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bulgaria's labor force participation was 56.12% in 2025. Ranked 133rd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Bulgaria's labor force participation peaked at 56.90% in 2023.
The lowest labor force participation in Bulgaria was 49.44% in 1996.
Bulgaria ranks 133rd globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bulgaria's labor force participation is projected to reach 56.58% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Bulgaria in 2025 was 56.12%. This ranks 133rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bulgaria_labor-force-participation,
title = {Bulgaria Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bulgaria/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}