Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The number of inhabitants in 90% of Bulgarian cities is decreasing

View of Sofia
Photo: BGNES

Only three regional cities - Sofia, Plovdiv and Kardzhali, out of a total of 28 have increased their population in the last 10 years, BTA reports. According to the National Statistical Institute, the number of inhabitants has increased in 23 more cities, while in the remaining 231 it has decreased. This means that 90% of all large settlements in Bulgaria already have fewer people than a decade ago. 


The largest increase is in Sofia, which is equal to the population in a small town. 13,688 new people have become citizens of Sofia and with them the number of inhabitants in the city exceeds 1.2 million. 

The most accurate demographic picture will become clear after the upcoming census.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Yellow code for strong wind in 16 eastern and southwestern regions

On Wednesday , the lowest temperatures will be between 3 and 8°C. In the regions with strong wind it will be up to 10-12°C. In Sofia it will be around 4°C. In the western parts of the Danube Plain and the Upper Thracian Plain it will..

published on 11/25/25 7:50 PM

Drones to aid disaster and fire response in Burgas

Following a series of fires in the Burgas area last summer, including one that destroyed homes in a local villa district, the Burgas municipality has acquired high-tech drones equipped with thermal cameras, night vision, and 3D imaging . The two..

published on 11/25/25 7:01 PM

Bulgarian police break up migrant smuggling network

Illegal migrants from Syria, Iraq and Iran have been discovered in Sofia, and ten members of an organised criminal group have been arrested , Deputy City Prosecutor Desislava Petrova told reporters. Two of those arrested have been charged as the..

published on 11/25/25 6:48 PM