Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Refugee population by country or territory of asylum was 105,596 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Bulgaria, 1992–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Bulgaria stood at 105,596.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.9% on the previous year and up 538.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Bulgaria peaked at 176,297 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 218, in 1992.
That places Bulgaria 51st out of 183 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 218 | — |
| 1993 | 443 | +103.2% |
| 1994 | 1,054 | +137.9% |
| 1995 | 1,318 | +25.0% |
| 1996 | 1,431 | +8.6% |
| 1997 | 382 | -73.3% |
| 1998 | 241 | -36.9% |
| 1999 | 542 | +124.9% |
| 2000 | 1,470 | +171.2% |
| 2001 | 2,984 | +103.0% |
| 2002 | 3,642 | +22.1% |
| 2003 | 4,047 | +11.1% |
| 2004 | 4,676 | +15.5% |
| 2005 | 4,388 | -6.2% |
| 2006 | 4,479 | +2.1% |
| 2007 | 4,808 | +7.3% |
| 2008 | 5,108 | +6.2% |
| 2009 | 5,375 | +5.2% |
| 2010 | 5,519 | +2.7% |
| 2011 | 5,676 | +2.8% |
| 2012 | 2,273 | -60.0% |
| 2013 | 4,305 | +89.4% |
| 2014 | 11,026 | +156.1% |
| 2015 | 16,543 | +50.0% |
| 2016 | 17,794 | +7.6% |
| 2017 | 19,166 | +7.7% |
| 2018 | 19,906 | +3.9% |
| 2019 | 20,438 | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 21,113 | +3.3% |
| 2021 | 22,830 | +8.1% |
| 2022 | 176,297 | +672.2% |
| 2023 | 97,618 | -44.6% |
| 2024 | 108,747 | +11.4% |
| 2025 | 105,596 | -2.9% |
Bulgaria compared with similar countries
- Bulgaria's 105,596 is above the median for high income countries, which is 11,811, 8.9× the median. (67 countries reporting)
- Bulgaria's 105,596 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 70,349, 1.5× the median. (49 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Bulgaria changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +672.2% | 22,830 | 176,297 |
| 2000 | +171.2% | 542 | 1,470 |
| 2014 | +156.1% | 4,305 | 11,026 |
| 1994 | +137.9% | 443 | 1,054 |
| 1999 | +124.9% | 241 | 542 |
| 1993 | +103.2% | 218 | 443 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 703.62 | 218 | 1,431 | 8 |
| 2000s | 4,098 | 1,470 | 5,375 | 10 |
| 2010s | 12,265 | 2,273 | 20,438 | 10 |
| 2020s | 88,700 | 21,113 | 176,297 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
More population data for Bulgaria
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.7245 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.34 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.7245 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.18 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 5,187 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.8803 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.921 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.733 (2100)
- Population density 32.53 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 146,527 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Bulgaria?
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Bulgaria was 105,596 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 176,297 in 2022.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 218 in 1992.
- How does Bulgaria rank for refugee population by country or territory of asylum?
- Bulgaria ranks 51st out of 183 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 538.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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