Bulgaria Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Bulgaria's poverty rate was 0.80% in 2025, ranked 36th globally. This represents a 20.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1989–2025.
Overview
Bulgaria's poverty rate stood at 0.80% in 2025, a decline of +0.20pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.80% by 2025. Bulgaria ranked 36th globally.
Bulgaria’s poverty rate fell to 0.80 % in 2025, placing the country 36th globally and virtually matching the Slovak Republic’s 0.80 % share. The indicator, measured over a 26‑year span, shows an extreme swing from a zero‑percent level in 1989 and again in the 1997 trough to an all‑time high of 8.00 % in 2006, reflecting the post‑communist transition and subsequent economic turbulence. The sharp decline after 2006 coincides with Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union in 2007, which brought structural funds and market integration that helped lift households above the poverty line. Despite the recent low level, the historical volatility suggests that external shocks, such as energy price spikes or regional fiscal pressures, could reverse the downward trajectory. Continued convergence with EU social standards and resilient domestic growth will be essential to sustain the current low poverty rate.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.72% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.80% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.80% | −0.20pp | #36 |
| 2023 | 1.00% | −0.10pp | #28 |
| 2022 | 1.10% | −0.10pp | #34 |
| 2021 | 1.20% | +0.50pp | #41 |
| 2020 | 0.70% | −0.90pp | #37 |
| 2019 | 1.60% | +0.10pp | #46 |
| 2018 | 1.50% | −0.50pp | #51 |
| 2017 | 2.00% | −1.10pp | #51 |
| 2016 | 3.10% | −1.50pp | #57 |
| 2015 | 4.60% | +1.90pp | #57 |
| 2014 | 2.70% | −0.60pp | #47 |
| 2013 | 3.30% | +0.30pp | #52 |
| 2012 | 3.00% | −0.40pp | #52 |
| 2011 | 3.40% | +0.70pp | #54 |
| 2010 | 2.70% | +0.90pp | #50 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bulgaria matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bulgaria's poverty rate was 0.80% in 2025. Ranked 36th globally. This represents a 20.0% decrease from the previous year.
Bulgaria's poverty rate peaked at 8.00% in 2006.
The lowest poverty rate in Bulgaria was 0.00% in 1989.
Bulgaria ranks 36th globally in poverty rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bulgaria's poverty rate is projected to reach 0.80% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The poverty rate of Bulgaria in 2025 was 0.80%. This ranks 36th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bulgaria_poverty-rate,
title = {Bulgaria Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bulgaria/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}