Bulgaria vs Serbia
Bulgaria and Serbia compared on 247 measures that both have. Each pair of values is for the same period, the latest one with data for both countries, so the year can differ from one row to the next.
Where Bulgaria and Serbia differ most
- Level of water stress, 2022: Bulgaria 40.2%, Serbia 5.7% (7.0 times as high)
- European patent applications, 2025: Bulgaria 11.2 per million people, Serbia 2.0 per million people (5.6 times as high)
- Dentists, 2023: Bulgaria 11.29 per 10,000 people, Serbia 2.56 per 10,000 people (4.4 times as high)
- Employment in agriculture, 2025: Bulgaria 4.7%, Serbia 18.0% (3.8 times as high)
- Terrestrial protected areas, 2025: Bulgaria 44.3%, Serbia 14.0% (3.2 times as high)
Measures where one value is the largest multiple of the other, among measures with positive values. Totals such as population, index values and growth rates are left out, because their size says little about the difference.
Population and ageing
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population on 1 January people |
6,437,360 people | 6,567,783 people | −2.0% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Population by age and sex people |
6,437,360 people | 6,567,783 people | −2.0% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Crude birth rate live births per 1,000 people |
7.8 per 1,000 people | 9.1 per 1,000 people | −1.3 per 1,000 people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Crude death rate deaths per 1,000 people |
15.5 per 1,000 people | 14.5 per 1,000 people | +1.0 per 1,000 people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Total fertility rate live births per woman |
1.72 births per woman | 1.64 births per woman | +4.9% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Population aged 65 and over % of total population |
24.0% | 22.7% | +1.3 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Median age of the population years |
47.3 years | 45.4 years | +4.2% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Old-age dependency ratio people aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15 to 64 |
38.7 per 100 working-age people | 36.2 per 100 working-age people | +6.9% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Natural population change per 1,000 people |
-7.7 per 1,000 people | -5.5 per 1,000 people | −2.2 per 1,000 people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Population estimates and projections people |
6,795,803 people | 6,773,201 people | +0.3% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Median age estimates and projections years |
44.3 years | 43.9 years | +1.0% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Fertility rate estimates and projections live births per woman |
1.75 births per woman | 1.50 births per woman | +16.6% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Population growth estimates and projections % per year |
-0.52% | -0.44% | −0.08 percentage points | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Population people |
6,433,302 people | 6,549,143 people | −1.8% | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population growth annual % change |
-0.13% | -0.57% | +0.44 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population aged 65 and over % of total population |
22.2% | 23.1% | −0.8 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population aged 0 to 14 % of total population |
14.4% | 14.3% | +0.1 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Fertility rate births per woman |
1.72 births per woman | 1.64 births per woman | +4.9% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Crude birth rate births per 1,000 people |
8.3 per 1,000 people | 9.2 per 1,000 people | −0.9 per 1,000 people | 2024 | World Bank |
| Crude death rate deaths per 1,000 people |
15.6 per 1,000 people | 14.9 per 1,000 people | +0.7 per 1,000 people | 2024 | World Bank |
| Urban population share % of total population |
74.2% | 62.6% | +11.5 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Adolescent birth rate births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 |
38.0 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 | 13.1 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 | +24.9 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 | 2024 | World Bank |
| Age dependency ratio dependants per 100 people aged 15 to 64 |
57.8 per 100 working-age people | 59.5 per 100 working-age people | −1.7 per 100 working-age people | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population density people per square kilometre of land |
59.3 people per km² | 75.2 people per km² | −21.1% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Urban population growth annual % change |
0.17% | -0.16% | +0.34 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Migration and citizenship
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people |
5.5 per 1,000 people | 0.0 per 1,000 people | +5.5 per 1,000 people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Net migration estimates and projections per 1,000 people |
0.8 per 1,000 people | 0.6 per 1,000 people | +0.1 per 1,000 people | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Net migration people |
-2,961 people | -13,086 people | +77.4% | 2025 | World Bank |
| International migrant stock % of population |
4.4% | 10.6% | −6.2 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Personal remittances received % of GDP |
2.1% | 6.6% | −4.5 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Employment and occupations
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate, ages 15 to 74 % of the labour force |
3.5% | 8.7% | −5.2 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Youth unemployment rate, ages 15 to 24 % of the labour force aged 15 to 24 |
13.1% | 23.4% | −10.3 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Long-term unemployment rate % of the labour force |
1.5% | 3.5% | −2.0 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Employment rate, ages 20 to 64 % of population aged 20 to 64 |
77.0% | 71.6% | +5.4 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Employment rate of women, ages 20 to 64 % of women aged 20 to 64 |
73.2% | 65.8% | +7.4 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Usual weekly working hours hours per week |
39.9 hours per week | 41.6 hours per week | −1.7 hours per week | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Part-time employment % of total employment |
1.7% | 5.1% | −3.4 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Employment of older workers % of population aged 55 to 64 |
71.2% | 60.0% | +11.2 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| ILO estimate of the unemployment rate % of the labour force aged 15 and over |
3.5% | 7.1% | −3.6 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| ILO estimate of youth unemployment % of the labour force aged 15 to 24 |
10.2% | 20.9% | −10.8 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Labour force participation % of working-age population aged 15 and over |
56.1% | 59.1% | −3.0 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Women's labour force participation % of women aged 15 and over |
50.4% | 52.6% | −2.3 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Employment-to-population ratio % of population aged 15 and over |
54.1% | 54.9% | −0.8 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Employment in agriculture % of total employment |
4.7% | 18.0% | −13.3 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Employment in industry % of total employment |
27.9% | 27.1% | +0.8 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Employment in services % of total employment |
67.4% | 54.9% | +12.5 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Wages and labour costs
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median equivalised net income euro per year |
€8,862 per year | €7,802 per year | +13.6% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Unadjusted gender pay gap % of men's average gross hourly earnings |
13.9% | 9.6% | +4.3 percentage points | 2018 | Eurostat |
| Hourly labour cost euro per hour worked |
€12.0 per hour | €12.8 per hour | −6.3% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Monthly minimum wage euro per month, gross |
€620 per month | €743 per month | −16.6% | H2 2026 | Eurostat |
Economy and productivity
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita in euro euro per person, current prices |
€18,120 per person | €13,750 per personp (provisional) | +31.8% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| GDP per capita in PPS index, EU27 (from 2020) = 100 |
66 (EU = 100)p (provisional) | 51 (EU = 100)p (provisional) | +15 points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Real GDP growth % change on previous year, chain-linked volumes |
3.0% | 2.1%p (provisional) | +0.9 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| GDP in euro million euro, current prices |
€116,549 million | €90,087 millionp (provisional) | +29.4% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Quarterly GDP growth (seasonally adjusted) % change on previous quarter |
0.7%p (provisional) | 1.5% | −0.8 percentage points | Q2 2026 | Eurostat |
| Labour productivity growth % change on previous year |
1.8% | 4.4%p (provisional) | −2.6 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| GDP growth, year on year % change on the same quarter a year earlier |
2.6%p (provisional) | 3.8% | −1.2 percentage points | Q2 2026 | Eurostat |
| GDP in US dollars current US dollars |
US$130.8 billion | US$100.0 billion | +30.8% | 2025 | World Bank |
| GDP per capita in US dollars current US dollars per person |
US$20,328 per person | US$15,262 per person | +33.2% | 2025 | World Bank |
| GDP per capita, PPP constant 2021 international dollars per person |
Int$35,326 per person | Int$27,603 per person | +28.0% | 2025 | World Bank |
| GNI per capita, Atlas method current US dollars per person |
US$17,780 per person | US$13,480 per person | +31.9% | 2025 | World Bank |
| Real GDP growth annual % change |
3.1% | 2.0% | +1.1 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Services share of GDP % of GDP |
63.3% | 59.7% | +3.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Investment share of GDP % of GDP |
21.7% | 23.4% | −1.7 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Savings share of GDP % of GDP |
16.7% | 19.0% | −2.2 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Household consumption per person constant 2015 US dollars per person |
US$11,851 per person | US$5,827 per person | +103.4% | 2025 | World Bank |
Prices and purchasing power
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HICP inflation annual average rate of change, % |
3.5% | 4.1% | −0.6 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| HICP price index index, 2015 = 100 |
142.50 (2015 = 100) | 157.30 (2015 = 100)d (definition differs (see metadata)) | −14.80 points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Monthly HICP inflation % change on the same month a year earlier |
5.6% | 4.2% | +1.4 percentage points | September 2026 | Eurostat |
| Consumer price level index index, EU27 (from 2020) = 100 |
57 (EU = 100) | 61 (EU = 100) | −5 points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Food price inflation (HICP) annual average rate of change, % |
6.1% | 4.2% | +1.9 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Energy price inflation (HICP) annual average rate of change, % |
0.5% | 0.3% | +0.2 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Consumer price inflation annual % change |
4.6% | 3.9% | +0.7 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Consumer price index index, 2010 = 100 |
162.5 (2010 = 100) | 208.3 (2010 = 100) | −45.8 points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Inflation measured by the GDP deflator annual % change |
7.4% | 4.5% | +2.9 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Exchange rate to the US dollar local currency units per US dollar, annual average |
1.735 per US$ | 103.975 per US$ | −98.3% | 2025 | World Bank |
Housing and households
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing cost overburden rate % of population |
6.9% | 7.9% | −1.0 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Overcrowding rate % of population |
32.5% | 46.0% | −13.5 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Home ownership rate % of population |
86.1% | 88.9% | −2.8 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Inability to keep home adequately warm % of population |
16.1% | 9.3% | +6.8 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Average household size people per household |
2.2 people per household | 2.6 people per household | −0.4 people per household | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Arrears on utility bills % of population |
17.2% | 17.3% | −0.1 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Slum population % of urban population |
0.2% | 1.4% | −1.2 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
Education and skills
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEET rate, ages 15 to 29 % of population aged 15 to 29 |
13.8% | 15.1% | −1.3 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Tertiary education attainment, ages 25 to 34 % of population aged 25 to 34 |
41.2% | 37.1% | +4.1 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Early leavers from education and training % of population aged 18 to 24 |
8.6% | 5.1% | +3.5 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Adult participation in learning % of population aged 25 to 64 |
6.1% | 5.2% | +0.9 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| ILO estimate of the youth NEET rate % of youth aged 15 to 24 |
10.6% | 12.7% | −2.0 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Primary completion (UIS) % of children 3 to 5 years above the final primary grade age |
97.5% | 99.3% | −1.8 percentage points | 2014 | UNESCO UIS |
| Lower secondary completion % of young people 3 to 5 years above the final grade age |
94.5% | 98.3% | −3.8 percentage points | 2019 | UNESCO UIS |
| Upper secondary completion % of young people 3 to 5 years above the final grade age |
84.3% | 83.4% | +0.9 percentage points | 2019 | UNESCO UIS |
| Out-of-school children % of children of primary school age |
5.9%nat_est (National estimate) | 3.3% | +2.6 percentage points | 2024 | UNESCO UIS |
| Out-of-school adolescents % of adolescents of lower secondary school age |
6.8%nat_est (National estimate) | 4.6% | +2.2 percentage points | 2024 | UNESCO UIS |
| Out-of-school youth % of youth of upper secondary school age |
11.8%nat_est (National estimate) | 24.2% | −12.5 percentage points | 2024 | UNESCO UIS |
| Primary net enrolment % of children of primary school age |
94.1%nat_est (National estimate) | 96.7% | −2.6 percentage points | 2024 | UNESCO UIS |
| Youth literacy % of people aged 15 to 24 |
97.9% | 99.3% | −1.4 percentage points | 2011 | UNESCO UIS |
| Education share of public spending % of total government expenditure |
12.0% | 7.4% | +4.5 percentage points | 2022 | UNESCO UIS |
| Education spending % of GDP |
4.5% | 3.1% | +1.4 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
| Primary school enrolment (gross) % of the official primary school-age population |
95.3% | 96.0% | −0.7 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Tertiary education enrolment (gross) % of the population in the five years after secondary school age |
69.5% | 70.6% | −1.0 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Adult literacy rate % of people aged 15 and above |
98.3% | 98.0% | +0.4 percentage points | 2011 | World Bank |
| Primary school completion rate % of the relevant age group |
95.7% | 96.0% | −0.3 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
| Secondary school enrolment (gross) % of the official secondary school-age population |
94.8% | 89.8% | +4.9 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
Health and healthcare
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth years |
75.8 years | 76.2 yearsb (break in time series) | −0.5% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Infant mortality rate deaths under age 1 per 1,000 live births |
4.5 per 1,000 live births | 4.6 per 1,000 live births | −0.1 per 1,000 live births | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Hospital beds beds per 100,000 inhabitants |
870 per 100,000 people | 606 per 100,000 peopled (definition differs (see metadata)) | +264 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Practising physicians physicians per 100,000 inhabitants |
467 per 100,000 people | 335 per 100,000 peopled (definition differs (see metadata)) | +132 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| People reporting good or very good health % of people aged 16 or over |
64.6% | 62.9% | +1.7 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Health spending share of GDP % of GDP |
7.9% | 8.0% | −0.1 percentage points | 2023 | Eurostat |
| Practising nurses nurses per 100,000 inhabitants |
441 per 100,000 people | 711 per 100,000 peopled (definition differs (see metadata)) | −270 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Life expectancy at age 65 years |
16.9 years | 16.2 yearsb (break in time series) | +4.3% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Adults with obesity % of people aged 15 and over |
13.2% | 16.8% | −3.6 percentage points | 2019 | Eurostat |
| Daily smokers % of people aged 15 and over |
29.1% | 27.1% | +2.0 percentage points | 2019 | Eurostat |
| Life expectancy estimates and projections years |
75.6 years | 76.8 years | −1.5% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Life expectancy at 65, estimates and projections years |
16.5 years | 16.7 years | −1.1% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Healthy life expectancy years |
65.4 years | 66.0 years | −0.9% | 2023 | WHO |
| UHC service coverage index from 0 to 100 |
73 | 73 | same | 2023 | WHO |
| Alcohol consumption litres of pure alcohol per person aged 15+ |
12.61 litres | 10.03 litres | +25.7% | 2024 | WHO |
| Adult obesity % of adults aged 18+ |
20.3% | 21.8% | −1.5 percentage points | 2024 | WHO |
| Hypertension % of adults aged 30 to 79 |
45.2% | 46.1% | −0.9 percentage points | 2019 | WHO |
| Suicide rate deaths per 100,000 people |
7.6 per 100,000 people | 10.1 per 100,000 people | −2.5 per 100,000 people | 2023 | WHO |
| Premature NCD mortality % probability |
22.6% | 20.1% | +2.5 percentage points | 2023 | WHO |
| Physical inactivity % of adults aged 18+ |
37.0% | 48.9% | −11.8 percentage points | 2022 | WHO |
| DTP3 immunisation % of one-year-olds |
92% | 92% | same | 2025 | WHO |
| Anaemia in women % of women aged 15 to 49 |
25.8% | 24.9% | +0.9 percentage points | 2023 | WHO |
| Poisoning deaths deaths per 100,000 people |
0.5 per 100,000 people | 0.2 per 100,000 people | +0.3 per 100,000 people | 2023 | WHO |
| Nurses and midwives per 10,000 people |
46.8 per 10,000 people | 70.2 per 10,000 people | −23.3 per 10,000 people | 2023 | WHO |
| Dentists per 10,000 people |
11.29 per 10,000 people | 2.56 per 10,000 people | +8.73 per 10,000 people | 2023 | WHO |
| Life expectancy at birth years |
75.8 years | 76.0 years | −0.3% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Life expectancy at birth, women years |
79.5 years | 78.4 years | +1.5% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Life expectancy at birth, men years |
72.2 years | 73.7 years | −2.0% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Health spending share of GDP % of GDP |
7.9% | 8.0% | −0.1 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Under-five mortality rate deaths per 1,000 live births |
5.7 per 1,000 live births | 5.4 per 1,000 live births | +0.3 per 1,000 live births | 2024 | World Bank |
| Infant mortality rate deaths per 1,000 live births |
4.6 per 1,000 live births | 4.6 per 1,000 live births | same | 2024 | World Bank |
| Maternal mortality ratio maternal deaths per 100,000 live births |
6 per 100,000 live births | 11 per 100,000 live births | −5 per 100,000 live births | 2023 | World Bank |
| Physicians physicians per 1,000 people |
4.33 per 1,000 people | 3.10 per 1,000 people | +1.23 per 1,000 people | 2022 | World Bank |
| Hospital beds beds per 1,000 people |
8.0 per 1,000 people | 5.8 per 1,000 people | +2.2 per 1,000 people | 2022 | World Bank |
| Measles immunisation % of children aged 12 to 23 months |
94% | 84% | +10.0 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Tobacco use % of adults aged 15 and over |
38.7% | 39.7% | −1.0 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Out-of-pocket health spending % of current health expenditure |
35.5% | 32.1% | +3.4 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Health spending per person current US dollars per person |
US$1,258 per person | US$984 per person | +27.9% | 2023 | World Bank |
| Diabetes prevalence % of population aged 20 to 79 |
7.4% | 10.5% | −3.1 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Neonatal mortality rate deaths per 1,000 live births |
2.6 per 1,000 live births | 3.0 per 1,000 live births | −0.4 per 1,000 live births | 2024 | World Bank |
| Child stunting % of children under 5 |
7.0% | 6.0% | +1.0 percentage points | 2014 | World Bank |
| Tuberculosis incidence new cases per 100,000 people |
12 per 100,000 people | 9 per 100,000 people | +3 per 100,000 people | 2024 | World Bank |
| HIV incidence new infections per 1,000 uninfected people aged 15 to 49 |
0.10 per 1,000 people aged 15 to 49 | 0.10 per 1,000 people aged 15 to 49 | same | 2024 | World Bank |
Internet and digital society
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Households with internet access % of households |
92.8% | 90.1% | +2.7 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Internet use in the last three months % of individuals |
86.9% | 90.0% | −3.2 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Daily internet use % of individuals |
82.7% | 87.1% | −4.4 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Basic digital skills % of individuals |
38.3% | 42.0% | −3.8 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Online shopping % of individuals |
51.2% | 62.1% | −10.9 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| ICT specialists in employment % of total employment |
4.8% | 4.2%e (estimated) | +0.6 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Internet users % of population |
82.4% | 87.7% | −5.3 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Mobile subscriptions subscriptions per 100 people |
118 per 100 people | 124 per 100 people | −6 per 100 people | 2024 | World Bank |
| Fixed broadband subscriptions subscriptions per 100 people |
37.0 per 100 people | 31.3 per 100 people | +5.8 per 100 people | 2023 | World Bank |
Business and industry
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial production index, 2021 = 100 |
92.8 (2021 = 100) | 108.8 (2021 = 100) | −14.7% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Enterprise birth rate % of active enterprises |
10.4% | 11.4% | −1.0 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Monthly industrial production % change on the same month a year earlier |
-8.9%p (provisional) | 2.0% | −10.9 percentage points | September 2026 | Eurostat |
| Industry share of GDP % of GDP |
21.2% | 22.3% | −1.1 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| New businesses registered new limited liability companies |
42,783 companies | 8,788 companies | +386.8% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Medium and high-tech manufacturing % of manufacturing value added |
33.9% | 29.0% | +4.9 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
Trade and investment
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports share of GDP % of GDP |
50.8% | 53.6%p (provisional) | −2.8 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Imports share of GDP % of GDP |
51.9% | 57.8%p (provisional) | −5.9 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Current account balance, quarterly % of GDP |
-8.2% | -5.5% | −2.7 percentage points | Q2 2026 | Eurostat |
| Exports share of GDP % of GDP |
50.7% | 54.3% | −3.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Imports share of GDP % of GDP |
51.8% | 58.6% | −6.8 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Trade as a share of GDP % of GDP |
102.5% | 112.9% | −10.4 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Foreign direct investment inflows % of GDP |
3.7% | 3.9% | −0.2 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Current account balance % of GDP |
-5.8% | -4.9% | −0.9 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| High-technology exports % of manufactured exports |
6.3% | 4.5% | +1.7 percentage points | 2007 | World Bank |
Tourism and accommodation
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nights spent in tourist accommodation nights |
28,816,601 nights | 12,282,212 nights | +134.6% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Arrivals at tourist accommodation arrivals |
9,504,275 arrivals | 4,346,691 arrivals | +118.7% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Bed-place occupancy rate in hotels % of available bed places |
40.2% | 38.5% | +1.7 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
Transport and mobility
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car share of passenger transport % of inland passenger-kilometres |
88.8%e (estimated) | 86.2%e (estimated) | +2.6 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Car ownership cars per 1,000 inhabitants |
507 per 1,000 people | 394 per 1,000 people | +113 per 1,000 people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Road traffic deaths deaths per 100,000 inhabitants |
7.4 per 100,000 people | 7.8 per 100,000 people | −0.4 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| New zero-emission cars % of newly registered passenger cars |
4.9% | 1.7% | +3.3 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Road traffic deaths deaths per 100,000 people |
9.2 per 100,000 people | 7.5 per 100,000 people | +1.7 per 100,000 people | 2019 | World Bank |
| Air passengers carried passengers |
723,825 passengers | 3,868,570 passengers | −81.3% | 2023 | World Bank |
Energy and electricity
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renewable energy share % of gross final energy consumption |
23.2% | 25.9% | −2.7 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Renewable electricity share % of gross electricity consumption |
33.8% | 32.1% | +1.8 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Energy import dependency % of gross available energy |
41.9% | 40.8% | +1.1 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Electricity price for households euro per kWh, all taxes included |
€0.1341 per kWh | €0.1197 per kWh | +12.0% | H1 2026 | Eurostat |
| Natural gas price for households euro per kWh, all taxes included |
€0.0654 per kWh | €0.0485 per kWh | +34.8% | H1 2026 | Eurostat |
| Primary energy consumption million tonnes of oil equivalent |
16.6 Mtoe | 15.4 Mtoe | +7.8% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Access to electricity % of population |
100.0% | 100.0% | same | 2024 | World Bank |
| Clean cooking access % of population |
98.0% | 89.0% | +9.0 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Renewable energy share % of total final energy consumption |
20.4% | 27.2% | −6.8 percentage points | 2021 | World Bank |
| Fossil electricity share % of total electricity production |
29.0% | 66.7% | −37.7 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Net energy imports % of energy use |
43.3% | 41.2% | +2.1 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
Climate and emissions
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature change °C difference from the 1951 to 1980 average |
2.18 °Ce (Estimated value) | 2.12 °Ce (Estimated value) | +0.06 °C | 2025 | FAOSTAT |
| Agrifood emissions per person tonnes of CO2 equivalent per person |
2.26 t CO2e per persone (Estimated value) | 2.27 t CO2e per persone (Estimated value) | −0.5% | 2024 | FAOSTAT |
Air quality and ecosystems
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 air pollution micrograms per cubic metre |
12.6 µg/m³ | 18.1 µg/m³ | −30.4% | 2023 | WHO |
| Forest area % of land area |
36.4% | 39.2% | −2.9 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Protected areas % of total territorial area |
35.6% | 14.0% | +21.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| PM2.5 air pollution exposure micrograms per cubic metre |
19.7 µg/m³ | 19.3 µg/m³ | +1.8% | 2023 | World Bank |
| Terrestrial protected areas % of land area |
44.3% | 14.0% | +30.3 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Water, sanitation and waste
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal waste generated per person kilograms per person per year |
490 kg per person | 467 kg per person | +4.9% | 2023 | Eurostat |
| Recycling rate of municipal waste % of municipal waste generated |
16.7% | 15.2% | +1.5 percentage points | 2023 | Eurostat |
| Total waste generated per person kilograms per person per year |
14,324 kg per person | 32,159 kg per person | −55.5% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Basic drinking water access % of population |
99.2% | 95.4% | +3.8 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population |
96.2% | 75.0% | +21.2 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Basic sanitation access % of population |
86.1% | 97.9% | −11.9 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Level of water stress % of available freshwater resources |
40.2% | 5.7% | +34.5 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
| Renewable internal freshwater per person cubic metres per person |
3,248 m³ per person | 1,261 m³ per person | +157.5% | 2022 | World Bank |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population |
75.7% | 24.1% | +51.7 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
Agriculture, food and fisheries
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area under organic farming % of utilised agricultural area |
4.0% | 0.8% | +3.1 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Cost of a healthy diet international dollars (PPP) per person per day |
Int$5.75 per person per daye (Estimated value) | Int$5.74 per person per daye (Estimated value) | +0.2% | 2025 | FAOSTAT |
| Healthy diet unaffordable % of the population |
20.7%e (Estimated value) | 8.5%e (Estimated value) | +12.2 percentage points | 2025 | FAOSTAT |
| Pesticide use kg of active ingredients per hectare of cropland |
1.00 kg/hae (Estimated value) | 1.07 kg/hae (Estimated value) | −6.5% | 2024 | FAOSTAT |
| Nitrogen fertiliser use kg of nitrogen (N) per hectare of cropland |
88.0 kg/hae (Estimated value) | 95.6 kg/hae (Estimated value) | −7.9% | 2024 | FAOSTAT |
| Agriculture share of GDP % of GDP |
2.5% | 3.3% | −0.8 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Cereal yield kilograms per hectare |
5,103 kg per hectare | 5,172 kg per hectare | −1.3% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Agricultural land % of land area |
46.2% | 38.1% | +8.1 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Capture fisheries production metric tonnes |
6,862 tonnes | 2,495 tonnes | +175.0% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Prevalence of undernourishment % of population |
2.5% | 2.5% | same | 2024 | World Bank |
| Food production index index, 2014 to 2016 = 100 |
95.3 (2014-16 = 100) | 96.4 (2014-16 = 100) | −1.2% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Fertiliser use kilograms per hectare of arable land |
119.7 kg per hectare | 158.3 kg per hectare | −24.4% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Land area square kilometres |
108,560 km² | 87,589 km² | +23.9% | 2024 | World Bank |
Poverty and social protection
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At-risk-of-poverty rate % of population |
21.2% | 19.6% | +1.6 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Poverty or social exclusion rate % of population |
29.0% | 23.2% | +5.8 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Income inequality (Gini) Gini coefficient, 0 to 100 |
37.7 (0 to 100) | 32.0 (0 to 100) | +5.7 points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Income quintile share ratio (S80/S20) ratio |
6.94 times | 5.53 times | +25.5% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Severe material and social deprivation % of population |
15.0% | 9.0% | +6.0 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Gini index Gini index, 0 to 100 |
39.5 (0 to 100) | 32.8 (0 to 100) | +6.7 points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Income share held by the richest 10% % of total income or consumption |
31.1% | 24.7% | +6.4 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Extreme poverty rate % of population |
1.0% | 1.1% | −0.1 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Poverty rate at national poverty lines % of population |
21.7% | 19.7% | +2.0 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Poverty rate at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) % of population |
1.6% | 2.1% | −0.5 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Poverty rate at $8.30 a day (2021 PPP) % of population |
4.4% | 9.0% | −4.6 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
Government finance and taxation
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax revenue % of GDP |
21.7% | 23.9% | −2.2 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
| Central government expense % of GDP |
39.3% | 35.5% | +3.9 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
Science and innovation
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R&D spending share of GDP % of GDP |
0.77% | 0.93% | −0.16 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Researchers as a share of the labour force % of labour force (full-time equivalent) |
0.60% | 0.59% | +0.01 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| European patent applications applications per million inhabitants |
11.2 per million peoplep (provisional) | 2.0 per million peoplep (provisional) | +9.2 per million people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| R&D spending share of GDP % of GDP |
0.79% | 0.88% | −0.09 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Researchers per million people researchers per million people |
2,401 per million people | 2,515 per million people | −115 per million people | 2023 | World Bank |
| Scientific and technical journal articles articles, fractional count |
4,998 articles | 5,173 articles | −3.4% | 2023 | World Bank |
Crime, justice and public safety
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intentional homicides offences per 100,000 inhabitants |
1.23 per 100,000 people | 0.82 per 100,000 people | +0.41 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Crime or vandalism in the area % of population |
15.6% | 8.5% | +7.1 percentage points | 2023 | Eurostat |
| Robberies recorded by the police offences per 100,000 inhabitants |
14.2 per 100,000 people | 8.7 per 100,000 people | +5.5 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Burglaries recorded by the police offences per 100,000 inhabitants |
46.1 per 100,000 people | 103.2 per 100,000 people | −57.1 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Thefts recorded by the police offences per 100,000 inhabitants |
382 per 100,000 people | 211 per 100,000 people | +171 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Intentional homicides victims per 100,000 people |
1.1 per 100,000 people | 1.3 per 100,000 people | −0.2 per 100,000 people | 2023 | World Bank |
Culture, society and wellbeing
| Measure | Bulgaria | Serbia | Bulgaria compared with Serbia | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural employment % of total employment |
3.6% | 4.2% | −0.6 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Average life satisfaction average rating, 0 to 10 |
6.3 out of 10 | 6.6 out of 10 | −0.3 points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Women in national parliament % of seats in the single or lower chamber |
25.0% | 37.2% | −12.2 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
The difference column shows Bulgaria compared with Serbia: in percentage points for percentages, in the same unit for rates per population and index values, and in percent for other measures.
Open a measure to see both countries on a chart. All statistics for Bulgaria · All statistics for Serbia · Other pairs