This statistic shows the biggest cities in Bulgaria in 2023. In 2023, approximately 1.2 million people lived in Sofija, making it the biggest city in Bulgaria.

Population in largest city in Bulgaria was reported at 1287540 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Bulgaria - Population in largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Bulgaria BG: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data was reported at 26.081 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 26.051 % for 2023. Bulgaria BG: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 20.772 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2024, with 65 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.081 % in 2024 and a record low of 19.396 % in 1977. Bulgaria BG: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.;United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.;Weighted average;

Population in the largest city (% of urban population) in Bulgaria was reported at 26.08 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Bulgaria - Population in the largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Bulgaria BG: Population in Largest City data was reported at 1,287,540.000 Person in 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,288,114.000 Person for 2023. Bulgaria BG: Population in Largest City data is updated yearly, averaging 1,159,265.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2024, with 65 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,288,114.000 Person in 2023 and a record low of 708,061.000 Person in 1960. Bulgaria BG: Population in Largest City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.;United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.;;

The largest number of public bus routes among major Bulgarian cities was recorded in the capital, Sofia at 109 as of September 2020. Varna, the third largest city and the biggest seaside resort in the country, followed with 51 bus routes offered to its locals and visitors.

In 2023, the share of urban population in Bulgaria remained nearly unchanged at around 76.7 percent. Nevertheless, 2023 still represents a peak in the share in Bulgaria. A population may be defined as urban depending on the size (population or area) or population density of the village, town, or city. The urbanization rate then refers to the share of the total population who live in an urban setting. International comparisons may be inconsistent due to differing parameters for what constitutes an urban center.Find more key insights for the share of urban population in countries like Albania and Turkey.

HPI: 2010=100: New Dwellings: South West data was reported at 120.990 2010=100 in Dec 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 121.390 2010=100 for Sep 2016. HPI: 2010=100: New Dwellings: South West data is updated quarterly, averaging 115.640 2010=100 from Mar 2015 (Median) to Dec 2016, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 121.390 2010=100 in Sep 2016 and a record low of 106.660 2010=100 in Mar 2015. HPI: 2010=100: New Dwellings: South West data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EB007: House Price Index: by Regions and Major Cities: 2010=100.

HPI: 2010=100: Existing Dwellings: North West data was reported at 90.590 2010=100 in Dec 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 89.230 2010=100 for Sep 2016. HPI: 2010=100: Existing Dwellings: North West data is updated quarterly, averaging 89.910 2010=100 from Mar 2015 (Median) to Dec 2016, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 91.820 2010=100 in Dec 2015 and a record low of 87.160 2010=100 in Mar 2015. HPI: 2010=100: Existing Dwellings: North West data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EB007: House Price Index: by Regions and Major Cities: 2010=100.

Abstract

The principal objective of the household data collection was to obtain a nationally representative household data set that contains detailed information on a variety of characteristics. This allowed a detailed analysis of the standard of living of the Bulgarian population in general and of the poor in particular, since it allowed to link information on income and expenditure to other household characteristics like health and education for example.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Households
• Individuals

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Sample size The sample size was approximately 2,500 households over the whole national territory of Bulgaria, excluding replaced households.

General Census information - Last done in 1992 In Bulgaria there were approximately 40,000 Statistical Sectors (SS). Each one contained approximately 80 households, giving a total of 2.9 million households. The average household size was 3 and the total population was approximately 9 million (8,459,763 at the last count in December 1993).

Sample Selection A fixed number of households (5) was collected in each SS. The number of SS that were selected, were 500 (5*500=2,500). Each cluster was selected with probability proportional to the number of households in each cluster from a subsample of 4,000 available representative clusters.

The general sample methodology had been designed to insure that all the households of different size and in all regions and town had the same probability to be selected. The actual sampling of the households were done in two stages: a) In the first stage the SS were Selected with Probability Proportional to the Size. The listing had been organized in the following order: (i) the list of the 28 regions, (ii) Cities, towns and villages; (iii) each city and town was listed by size; b) In the second stage the households interviewed were selected with Equal Probability, provided that they had been listed according to their size (all households of one person first, all the households of two people second and so on).

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Abstract

The Bulgaria Integrated Household Survey (BIHS) is the first survey that was conducted in 1995 on a sample of approximately 2,500 households. The labor market study is comparing employment, growth and poverty for year 1995 in Bulgaria.Pupose: The principal objective of the household data collection is to obtain a nationally representative household data set that contains detailed information on a variety of characteristics. This will allow a detailed analysis of the standard of living of the Bulgarian population in general and of the poor in particular, since it will allow to link information on income and expenditure to other household characteristics like health and education for example.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Individual - 7,005 Household - 2,468

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

A fixed number of households (5) is collected in each SS. The number of SS to be selected will be 500 (5*500=2,500). Each cluster is selected with probability proportional to the number of households in each cluster from a subsample of 4,000 available representative clusters. The general sample methodology has been designed to insure that all the households of different size and in all regions and town have the same probability to be selected. The actual sampling of the households will be done in two stages: a) In the first stage the SS are Selected with Probability Proportional to the Size. The listing has been organized in the following order: (i) the list of the 28 regions, (ii) Cities, towns and villages; (iii) each city and town is listed by size; b) In the second stage the households to be interviewed are selected with Equal Probability, provided that they have been listed according to their size (all households of one person first, all the households of two people second and soon).

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire is contains 11 sections such as: - Household Roster - Migration - Formal and non formal education & child care - Education - Continued - Food expenditure and consumption - Status and history of employment and other earning activities - Main job - dependent activity - agriculture - Remittances - Social Assistance - Real Estate Assets - Health - Fertility

HPI: 2010=100: New Dwellings: North East data was reported at 115.820 2010=100 in Dec 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 105.580 2010=100 for Sep 2016. HPI: 2010=100: New Dwellings: North East data is updated quarterly, averaging 102.525 2010=100 from Mar 2015 (Median) to Dec 2016, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 115.820 2010=100 in Dec 2016 and a record low of 98.870 2010=100 in Mar 2015. HPI: 2010=100: New Dwellings: North East data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EB007: House Price Index: by Regions and Major Cities: 2010=100.

HPI: 2010=100: North East: ow Varna data was reported at 101.710 2010=100 in Dec 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 98.890 2010=100 for Sep 2016. HPI: 2010=100: North East: ow Varna data is updated quarterly, averaging 93.640 2010=100 from Mar 2015 (Median) to Dec 2016, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 101.710 2010=100 in Dec 2016 and a record low of 89.970 2010=100 in Mar 2015. HPI: 2010=100: North East: ow Varna data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EB007: House Price Index: by Regions and Major Cities: 2010=100.

House Price Index (HPI): 2010=100: North West data was reported at 91.750 2010=100 in Dec 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 90.670 2010=100 for Sep 2016. House Price Index (HPI): 2010=100: North West data is updated quarterly, averaging 91.210 2010=100 from Mar 2015 (Median) to Dec 2016, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 92.640 2010=100 in Dec 2015 and a record low of 88.330 2010=100 in Mar 2015. House Price Index (HPI): 2010=100: North West data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EB007: House Price Index: by Regions and Major Cities: 2010=100.

HPI: 2010=100: Existing Dwellings: South Central data was reported at 98.910 2010=100 in Dec 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 97.030 2010=100 for Sep 2016. HPI: 2010=100: Existing Dwellings: South Central data is updated quarterly, averaging 95.900 2010=100 from Mar 2015 (Median) to Dec 2016, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 98.910 2010=100 in Dec 2016 and a record low of 89.450 2010=100 in Sep 2015. HPI: 2010=100: Existing Dwellings: South Central data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EB007: House Price Index: by Regions and Major Cities: 2010=100.

Bulgaria HPI: 2010=100: South East: ow Burgas data was reported at 114.190 2010=100 in Dec 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 114.420 2010=100 for Sep 2016. Bulgaria HPI: 2010=100: South East: ow Burgas data is updated quarterly, averaging 112.040 2010=100 from Mar 2015 (Median) to Dec 2016, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 114.420 2010=100 in Sep 2016 and a record low of 106.310 2010=100 in Mar 2015. Bulgaria HPI: 2010=100: South East: ow Burgas data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EB007: House Price Index: by Regions and Major Cities: 2010=100.

HPI: 2015=100: New Dwellings: South West: ow Sofia data was reported at 178.830 2015=100 in Dec 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 188.820 2015=100 for Sep 2022. HPI: 2015=100: New Dwellings: South West: ow Sofia data is updated quarterly, averaging 131.915 2015=100 from Mar 2015 (Median) to Dec 2022, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 188.820 2015=100 in Sep 2022 and a record low of 95.690 2015=100 in Mar 2015. HPI: 2015=100: New Dwellings: South West: ow Sofia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EB006: House Price Index: by Regions and Major Cities: 2015=100.

HPI: 2015=100: New Dwellings: North West data was reported at 128.070 2015=100 in Dec 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 127.970 2015=100 for Sep 2022. HPI: 2015=100: New Dwellings: North West data is updated quarterly, averaging 108.375 2015=100 from Mar 2015 (Median) to Dec 2022, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 128.070 2015=100 in Dec 2022 and a record low of 98.550 2015=100 in Mar 2015. HPI: 2015=100: New Dwellings: North West data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EB006: House Price Index: by Regions and Major Cities: 2015=100.

Bulgaria HPI: 2010=100: South Central: ow Plovdiv data was reported at 103.070 2010=100 in Dec 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 100.330 2010=100 for Sep 2016. Bulgaria HPI: 2010=100: South Central: ow Plovdiv data is updated quarterly, averaging 98.470 2010=100 from Mar 2015 (Median) to Dec 2016, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 103.100 2010=100 in Jun 2016 and a record low of 92.800 2010=100 in Sep 2015. Bulgaria HPI: 2010=100: South Central: ow Plovdiv data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EB007: House Price Index: by Regions and Major Cities: 2010=100.

Bulgaria HPI: 2015=100: South Central: ow Plovdiv data was reported at 182.000 2015=100 in Dec 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 181.550 2015=100 for Sep 2022. Bulgaria HPI: 2015=100: South Central: ow Plovdiv data is updated quarterly, averaging 135.995 2015=100 from Mar 2015 (Median) to Dec 2022, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 182.000 2015=100 in Dec 2022 and a record low of 98.000 2015=100 in Sep 2015. Bulgaria HPI: 2015=100: South Central: ow Plovdiv data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EB006: House Price Index: by Regions and Major Cities: 2015=100.