Fatal workplace accidents in Bulgaria fell 39% in the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025.

The National Social Security Institute (NOI) compared its latest data for the two years. From January to September, 36 accidents killed a worker, against 59 a year earlier.

The total number of workplace accidents barely changed. There were 2,186, compared with 2,163 in 2025. That is 23 more, or about 1.1%. NOI says the figure remains fairly stable.

But injured workers stay away from work for longer. On average, one accident leaves a person unable to work for 50 days, up from 47 last year. The total number of calendar days lost to accidents is also rising.

NOI says more days off per accident point to more serious injuries and slower recovery.

The sectors with the most accidents are the same as before. Retail trade is first with 224 cases, followed by public administration with 176 and land transport with 166. Together, these three sectors account for more than a quarter of all accidents in the period.