Bulgaria's population fell by just over 14,000 in 2025 to 6,423,207.
Burgas region had the second-highest net migration rate in Bulgaria, at 13.1‰, meaning more people moved in than left. Kardzhali was first with 26.5‰, and Varna came third after Burgas with 12.4‰.
There were 50,496 registered births last year, and 99.5% of the babies were born alive. Live births were 3,187 fewer than in 2024, a fall of 6.0%. Deaths outnumbered births, and this natural decline cost the population 49,238 people.
Net migration was positive at +35,085. In all, 44,640 people moved to Bulgaria from abroad, while 9,555 changed their address the other way.
Bulgaria's population keeps ageing. People aged 65 and over make up 24.3% of the population, and children under 15 make up 13.9%.
Turkey accounts for the biggest share of immigrants at 25.1%, followed by Ukraine with 18.5% and Germany with 9.1%. Smolyan region loses the most people to emigration, with a net migration rate of -5.7‰.
In the European Union, the population is growing slightly overall, but unevenly between countries. In 21 of them, deaths outnumber births. Latvia and Bulgaria have the lowest natural population change, at -7.7 per 1,000 people.