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

Sofia registers decline in population for the first time in 30 years

Sofia's Vitosha boulevard
Photo: BGNES

At the end of 2020, the population of Bulgaria was estimated at 6.9 million people. This is a decrease of 2.1 million people, or 23% compared to 1990. 

During this period, Sofia was the only city that increased its population from 1.12 million people in 1990 to 1.33 million people in 2019

In 2020, Sofia residents decreased by 1.53%, or 20,378 people to 1,308,412 inhabitants. This has not happened since 2001, when Sofia's population fell to 1.09 million people. But then it continued to grow.

According to experts, the data of the National Statistical Institute clearly show that the Bulgaria's smaller towns and villages no longer have the resources to supply Sofia with new residents. 

The pandemic made remote work possible and reduced the attractiveness of the city,  investor.bg writes.



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

Ursula von der Leyen condemns the attack on the European Commission building in Sofia

Police are searching for all those involved in the clashes in front of the European Commission building in Sofia on Saturday, February 22, Bulgaria’s Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov told public broadcaster BNT. ''Outrageous scenes in Sofia..

published on 2/23/25 9:54 AM

Town of Elin Pelin will host the mummers festival "Visiting the Shoppe region"

Over 20 groups from all over the country will parade on February 23 at 10:00 a.m. at the Levski Stadium in the town of Elin Pelin in front of the residents and guests of the municipality for the Masquerade Games Festival "Visiting the Shoppe Region"...

published on 2/23/25 5:05 AM

Sunny but cold Sunday expected in Bulgaria

It will be cold with minimum temperatures between minus 14°C and minus 9°C, in places in the northeastern regions up to minus 16°C, for Sofia - around minus 9°C. On Sunday it will be mostly sunny. Before noon in some places in the plains and..

published on 2/22/25 6:24 PM