Labour force: ICLS13) (15+) … previous ICLS13 15+ in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 55.13 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Bulgaria, 1956–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Bulgaria is 55.13, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.7% on the previous year and up 2.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Bulgaria peaked at 74.92 in 1956 and was at its lowest, 49.69, in 2005.
Bulgaria ranks 158th of 210 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 31 years of available data.
Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 74.92 | — |
| 1965 | 68.08 | -9.1% |
| 1975 | 65.42 | -3.9% |
| 1992 | 57.16 | -12.6% |
| 1997 | 51.8 | -9.4% |
| 2000 | 50.18 | -3.1% |
| 2001 | 51.37 | +2.4% |
| 2002 | 50.82 | -1.1% |
| 2003 | 49.92 | -1.8% |
| 2004 | 50.55 | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 49.69 | -1.7% |
| 2006 | 51.29 | +3.2% |
| 2007 | 52.6 | +2.5% |
| 2008 | 53.81 | +2.3% |
| 2009 | 53.02 | -1.5% |
| 2010 | 53.39 | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 52.51 | -1.7% |
| 2012 | 53.08 | +1.1% |
| 2013 | 53.9 | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 54.14 | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 54.07 | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 53.33 | -1.4% |
| 2017 | 55.35 | +3.8% |
| 2018 | 55.32 | -0.1% |
| 2019 | 55.97 | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 55.05 | -1.7% |
| 2021 | 54.47 | -1.0% |
| 2022 | 55.45 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | 55.66 | +0.4% |
| 2024 | 55.54 | -0.2% |
| 2025 | 55.13 | -0.7% |
Bulgaria compared with similar countries
- Bulgaria's 55.13 is below the median for high income countries, which is 63.11, 87% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Bulgaria's 55.13 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 61.7, 89% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 74.92 | 74.92 | 74.92 | 1 |
| 1960s | 68.08 | 68.08 | 68.08 | 1 |
| 1970s | 65.42 | 65.42 | 65.42 | 1 |
| 1990s | 54.48 | 51.8 | 57.16 | 2 |
| 2000s | 51.33 | 49.69 | 53.81 | 10 |
| 2010s | 54.11 | 52.51 | 55.97 | 10 |
| 2020s | 55.22 | 54.47 | 55.66 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
More work & labour data for Bulgaria
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.7248 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.7055 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.7441 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.5 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate -0.5166 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 4,606 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 817.52 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,761 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,770 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3,531 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Bulgaria?
- Labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Bulgaria was 55.13 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 74.92 in 1956.
- What is the lowest labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 49.69 in 2005.
- How does Bulgaria rank for labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
- Bulgaria ranks 158th out of 210 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labour force participation rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The labour force participation rate is the labour force as a percent of the working-age population. The labour force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed. For more information, refer to the Labour Force Statistics (LFS and STLFS) database description.