Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Refugee population by country or territory of origin was 533 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Bulgaria, 1969–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of origin in Bulgaria is 533, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 7.0% on the previous year and down 57.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of origin in Bulgaria peaked at 4,692 in 1994 and was at its lowest, 90, in 1969.
That places Bulgaria 117th out of 205 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 origin in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 90 | — |
| 1970 | 320 | +255.6% |
| 1971 | 340 | +6.2% |
| 1972 | 340 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 340 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 300 | -11.8% |
| 1975 | 300 | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 290 | -3.3% |
| 1980 | 329 | +13.4% |
| 1981 | 274 | -16.7% |
| 1982 | 257 | -6.2% |
| 1983 | 227 | -11.7% |
| 1984 | 183 | -19.4% |
| 1985 | 190 | +3.8% |
| 1986 | 160 | -15.8% |
| 1987 | 138 | -13.8% |
| 1988 | 898 | +550.7% |
| 1989 | 869 | -3.2% |
| 1990 | 1,922 | +121.2% |
| 1991 | 2,733 | +42.2% |
| 1992 | 2,980 | +9.0% |
| 1993 | 3,157 | +5.9% |
| 1994 | 4,692 | +48.6% |
| 1995 | 4,157 | -11.4% |
| 1996 | 3,246 | -21.9% |
| 1997 | 3,049 | -6.1% |
| 1998 | 3,121 | +2.4% |
| 1999 | 2,652 | -15.0% |
| 2000 | 2,404 | -9.4% |
| 2001 | 2,122 | -11.7% |
| 2002 | 2,843 | +34.0% |
| 2003 | 2,565 | -9.8% |
| 2004 | 2,227 | -13.2% |
| 2005 | 4,250 | +90.8% |
| 2006 | 3,431 | -19.3% |
| 2007 | 3,306 | -3.6% |
| 2008 | 3,036 | -8.2% |
| 2009 | 2,743 | -9.7% |
| 2010 | 2,558 | -6.7% |
| 2011 | 2,322 | -9.2% |
| 2012 | 2,143 | -7.7% |
| 2013 | 1,875 | -12.5% |
| 2014 | 1,644 | -12.3% |
| 2015 | 1,264 | -23.1% |
| 2016 | 799 | -36.8% |
| 2017 | 716 | -10.4% |
| 2018 | 620 | -13.4% |
| 2019 | 566 | -8.7% |
| 2020 | 510 | -9.9% |
| 2021 | 455 | -10.8% |
| 2022 | 790 | +73.6% |
| 2023 | 393 | -50.3% |
| 2024 | 498 | +26.7% |
| 2025 | 533 | +7.0% |
Bulgaria compared with similar countries
- Bulgaria's 533 is above the median for high income countries, which is 111, 4.8× the median. (70 countries reporting)
- Bulgaria's 533 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 422, 1.3× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of origin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | +550.7% | 138 | 898 |
| 1970 | +255.6% | 90 | 320 |
| 1990 | +121.2% | 869 | 1,922 |
| 2005 | +90.8% | 2,227 | 4,250 |
| 2022 | +73.6% | 455 | 790 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 90 | 90 | 90 | 1 |
| 1970s | 318.57 | 290 | 340 | 7 |
| 1980s | 352.5 | 138 | 898 | 10 |
| 1990s | 3,171 | 1,922 | 4,692 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,893 | 2,122 | 4,250 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,451 | 566 | 2,558 | 10 |
| 2020s | 529.83 | 393 | 790 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
- 114 Trinidad and Tobago 576 compare
- 115 Malawi 551 compare
- 116 Argentina 542 compare
- 118 United Kingdom 517 compare
- 119 Equatorial Guinea 424 compare
- 120 Botswana 384 compare
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 origin in Bulgaria?
- Refugee population by country or territory of origin in Bulgaria was 533 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 4,692 in 1994.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of origin recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 90 in 1969.
- How does Bulgaria rank for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- Bulgaria ranks 117th out of 205 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of origin rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 57.8%. 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 origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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