Urban Population: Bulgaria
Bulgaria's urban population is currently 74.0% as of 2024. # Bulgaria Urban Population Bulgaria's urban population reached 73.
Current (2024)
74.0%
+0.3% y/y
Peak (2024)
74.0%
Low (1960)
37.1%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Bulgaria
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Bulgaria
Analysis# Bulgaria Urban Population
Bulgaria's urban population reached 73.95% in 2024, matching its all-time peak for the year. This represents a dramatic shift from 1960, when only 37.11% of Bulgarians lived in cities—a cumulative increase of 99.3% over six decades. The country has experienced sustained urbanization across this 64-year span, transitioning from a predominantly rural society to one where nearly three-quarters of the population now resides in urban areas.
Recent data from 2015 through 2024 reveals a plateauing trend around the 73-74% range, suggesting Bulgaria has largely completed its major urbanization phase. A minor dip occurred in 2020 (73.324%), likely reflecting pandemic-related migration patterns, but the upward trajectory resumed in subsequent years. With the urban share stabilizing near current levels, Bulgaria's urbanization curve appears to be leveling off rather than accelerating further.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 74.0% | +0.30% |
| 2023 | 73.7% | +0.34% |
| 2022 | 73.5% | +0.18% |
| 2021 | 73.3% | +0.03% |
| 2020 | 73.3% | -0.53% |
| 2019 | 73.7% | +0.16% |
| 2018 | 73.6% | +0.29% |
| 2017 | 73.4% | +0.29% |
| 2016 | 73.2% | +0.10% |
| 2015 | 73.1% | +0.03% |
| 2014 | 73.1% | +0.17% |
| 2013 | 73.0% | +0.27% |
| 2012 | 72.8% | +0.22% |
| 2011 | 72.6% | +1.53% |
| 2010 | 71.5% | +0.30% |
| 2009 | 71.3% | +0.56% |
| 2008 | 70.9% | +0.31% |
| 2007 | 70.7% | +0.25% |
| 2006 | 70.5% | +0.60% |
| 2005 | 70.1% | +0.24% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 69.9% | +0.20% |
| 2003 | 69.8% | +0.42% |
| 2002 | 69.5% | +0.42% |
| 2001 | 69.2% | +1.37% |
| 2000 | 68.3% | +0.32% |
| 1999 | 68.0% | +0.27% |
| 1998 | 67.9% | +0.30% |
| 1997 | 67.7% | -0.06% |
| 1996 | 67.7% | -0.20% |
| 1995 | 67.8% | +0.16% |
| 1994 | 67.7% | +0.44% |
| 1993 | 67.4% | +0.41% |
| 1992 | 67.2% | +0.09% |
| 1991 | 67.1% | +0.07% |
| 1990 | 67.0% | -0.41% |
| 1989 | 67.3% | +0.91% |
| 1988 | 66.7% | +1.06% |
| 1987 | 66.0% | +1.15% |
| 1986 | 65.3% | +0.45% |
| 1985 | 65.0% | -1.00% |
| 1984 | 65.6% | +1.49% |
| 1983 | 64.6% | +1.18% |
| 1982 | 63.9% | +1.40% |
| 1981 | 63.0% | +1.40% |
| 1980 | 62.1% | +1.08% |
| 1979 | 61.5% | +1.59% |
| 1978 | 60.5% | +1.85% |
| 1977 | 59.4% | +1.58% |
| 1976 | 58.5% | +0.84% |
| 1975 | 58.0% | -0.13% |
| 1974 | 58.1% | +3.22% |
| 1973 | 56.3% | +1.99% |
| 1972 | 55.2% | +2.52% |
| 1971 | 53.8% | +2.86% |
| 1970 | 52.3% | +3.41% |
| 1969 | 50.6% | +3.24% |
| 1968 | 49.0% | +2.10% |
| 1967 | 48.0% | +2.12% |
| 1966 | 47.0% | +2.85% |
| 1965 | 45.7% | +6.19% |
| 1964 | 43.0% | +6.85% |
| 1963 | 40.3% | +2.49% |
| 1962 | 39.3% | +2.31% |
| 1961 | 38.4% | +3.51% |
| 1960 | 37.1% | — |
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