Bulgaria Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Bulgaria's military spending was 2.22% in 2025, ranked 48th globally. This represents a 3.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1989–2025.
Overview
Bulgaria's military spending stood at 2.22% in 2025, a rise of +0.07% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.22% by 2025. Bulgaria ranked 48th globally.
Bulgaria's military spending has experienced significant fluctuations over the past three decades, with a notable decrease from its peak in 1989 at 4.40% of GDP to a trough of 1.22% in 2017. This represents a decline of approximately 73% in military spending as a share of the country's economic output. In comparison, Uruguay, a peer country with a similar ranking, saw a peak of 3.35% in 1996 and a trough of 1.75% in 2020. Bulgaria's military spending as a share of GDP has now stabilized at 2.22% in 2025, closer to its peak in the late 1980s than its trough in 2017. The country's military spending remains relatively low compared to its peers, with North Macedonia boasting a higher share of 2.20% in 2025. The trajectory of Bulgaria's military spending is likely to be influenced by its ongoing integration into European and NATO security structures, which may lead to further increases in military spending in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 2.54% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.38% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.22% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.22% | +0.07% | #48 |
| 2024 | 2.15% | +0.20% | #100 |
| 2023 | 1.94% | +0.36% | #95 |
| 2022 | 1.59% | +0.08% | #87 |
| 2021 | 1.51% | −0.07% | #77 |
| 2020 | 1.59% | −1.56% | #78 |
| 2019 | 3.14% | +1.69% | #132 |
| 2018 | 1.45% | +0.23% | #81 |
| 2017 | 1.22% | −0.02% | #61 |
| 2016 | 1.24% | −0.00% | #64 |
| 2015 | 1.25% | −0.06% | #70 |
| 2014 | 1.31% | −0.14% | #74 |
| 2013 | 1.45% | +0.12% | #85 |
| 2012 | 1.33% | +0.02% | #70 |
| 2011 | 1.31% | −0.33% | #67 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bulgaria matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
The news of a potential US-Iran conflict highlights global geopolitical instability, a factor that can broadly influence defense considerations for NATO members like Bulgaria, though it does not directly impact Bulgaria's current 2.22% military spending. Separately, developments in software defined radio technology represent ongoing advancements in military capabilities, which nations may consider for modernization efforts, but without specific implications for Bulgaria's defense budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bulgaria's military spending was 2.22% in 2025. Ranked 48th globally. This represents a 3.5% increase from the previous year.
Bulgaria's military spending peaked at 4.40% in 1989.
The lowest military spending in Bulgaria was 1.22% in 2017.
Bulgaria ranks 48th globally in military spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bulgaria's military spending is projected to reach 2.22% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The military spending of Bulgaria in 2025 was 2.22%. This ranks 48th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bulgaria_military-spending,
title = {Bulgaria Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bulgaria/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}