Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment was 106,900 Persons in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Bulgaria, 2000–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
Bulgaria recorded 106,900 Persons for labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 26 years on record.
That represents a change of down 16.1% on the previous year and down 65.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Bulgaria peaked at 685,600 Persons in 2001 and was at its lowest, 106,900 Persons, in 2025.
Bulgaria ranks 38th of 46 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | Persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 556,000 Persons | — |
| 2001 | 685,600 Persons | +23.3% |
| 2002 | 619,300 Persons | -9.7% |
| 2003 | 457,800 Persons | -26.1% |
| 2004 | 406,400 Persons | -11.2% |
| 2005 | 334,400 Persons | -17.7% |
| 2006 | 305,700 Persons | -8.6% |
| 2007 | 240,200 Persons | -21.4% |
| 2008 | 199,700 Persons | -16.9% |
| 2009 | 238,000 Persons | +19.2% |
| 2010 | 352,300 Persons | +48.0% |
| 2011 | 376,200 Persons | +6.8% |
| 2012 | 410,300 Persons | +9.1% |
| 2013 | 436,300 Persons | +6.3% |
| 2014 | 384,500 Persons | -11.9% |
| 2015 | 305,100 Persons | -20.7% |
| 2016 | 247,200 Persons | -19.0% |
| 2017 | 206,900 Persons | -16.3% |
| 2018 | 173,300 Persons | -16.2% |
| 2019 | 131,700 Persons | -24.0% |
| 2020 | 155,500 Persons | +18.1% |
| 2021 | 156,700 Persons | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 127,300 Persons | -18.8% |
| 2023 | 132,400 Persons | +4.0% |
| 2024 | 127,400 Persons | -3.8% |
| 2025 | 106,900 Persons | -16.1% |
Bulgaria compared with similar countries
- Bulgaria's 106,900 Persons is below the median for high income countries, which is 273,650 Persons, 39% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Bulgaria's 106,900 Persons is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 269,500 Persons, 40% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 404,310 Persons | 199,700 Persons | 685,600 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 302,380 Persons | 131,700 Persons | 436,300 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 134,367 Persons | 106,900 Persons | 156,700 Persons | 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 indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Bulgaria?
- Labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Bulgaria was 106,900 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 685,600 Persons in 2001.
- What is the lowest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 106,900 Persons in 2025.
- How does Bulgaria rank for labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment?
- Bulgaria ranks 38th out of 46 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 65.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 26 observations, free to reuse under OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required).
About this data
This dataset presents indicators on the size of the labour force, employment, and unemployment in large regions (TL2) and, where available, in small regions (TL3). Data definition and source The labour force status is presented by sex, for 15-64 year-olds and 15+ year-olds age ranges, the latter having less country coverage. Data is based on a labour force survey using ILO guidelines and collected from Eurostat (reg_lmk) for EU countries and via delegates of the OECD Working Party on Territorial Indicators (WPTI), as well as from national statistical offices' websites. Definition of regions Regions are subnational units below national boundaries. OECD countries have two regional levels: large regions (territorial level 2 or TL2) and small regions (territorial level 3 or TL3). For more information, see the OECD Territorial grid (pdf) and the OECD Territorial Correspondence Table (xlsx). Cite this dataset OECD Regions, Cities and Local Areas database http://oe.cd/geostats. Further information OECD Regions and Cities Statistical Atlas OECD Regions and Cities at a Glance For questions and/or comments, please email RegionStat@oecd.org.