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

The number of believers has decreased by 9 percent for 10 years

Photo: EPA/BGNES

Bulgaria ranks last in the EU with just 12 priests per 100,000 people. There are more than 8,000 churches and monasteries in the country, or 10 times more temples than clergy, according to the latest national census of 2021.

51.4% or 3 million said they believe in God. 24.7% declared themselves non-believers. 13 percent could not define if they are believers and 11% did not want to answer. During the previous census in 2011, 60.4% said they were religious and 22% declared themselves non-religious. 4,219,270 people (71.5%) of those who answered the question identified themselves as Christians. 97% of Christians are Orthodox. In 1992, 86.7% of the respondents were Christians. Protestants are 1.7%, Catholics are 0.9% and Armenian Christians - 0.1%. Muslims are 638,708 or 10.8% of the respondents; Jewish people are 1,736, while 6,451 people profess other religions.



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

The construction of small reactors at Bulgria's Kozloduy NPP will preserve its role as an energy center

The Bulgarian government is considering the deployment of small modular reactors in Bulgaria. This became clear after the meeting of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in New York with the Chief Corporate Officer of General Electric Vernova Roger..

published on 9/25/25 9:10 AM

French military equipment passes through Bulgaria

Personnel and military equipment of the French Armed Forces will pass through Bulgaria in the period September 25 - October 2, 2025. The route of the military convoys is planned to be: Captain Petko Voyvoda Border Checkpoint - Ruse..

published on 9/25/25 7:35 AM

Autumn weather changes expected

On Thursday, the lowest temperatures will be between 9 and 14°C; in Sofia – about 12°C. During the day there will be rain showers in the western and southeastern regions of Bulgaria. The precipitation will be more intense in the..

published on 9/24/25 7:15 PM