Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) was 3.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Bulgaria, 1993–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Bulgaria stood at 3.4%. That is the lowest value across all 33 years on record.
The figure is down 13.0% on the previous year and down 59.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Bulgaria peaked at 22.0% in 1993 and was at its lowest, 3.4%, in 2025.
Bulgaria ranks 143rd of 181 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 22.0% | — |
| 1994 | 20.2% | -8.3% |
| 1995 | 16.1% | -20.1% |
| 1996 | 13.7% | -14.9% |
| 1997 | 13.5% | -1.6% |
| 1998 | 11.8% | -12.6% |
| 1999 | 14.1% | +19.5% |
| 2000 | 15.8% | +12.2% |
| 2001 | 18.9% | +19.2% |
| 2002 | 17.4% | -8.0% |
| 2003 | 13.2% | -24.0% |
| 2004 | 11.6% | -11.9% |
| 2005 | 9.8% | -15.4% |
| 2006 | 9.3% | -5.5% |
| 2007 | 7.3% | -21.6% |
| 2008 | 5.8% | -21.0% |
| 2009 | 6.6% | +15.0% |
| 2010 | 9.6% | +45.0% |
| 2011 | 10.1% | +5.2% |
| 2012 | 10.8% | +7.3% |
| 2013 | 11.8% | +9.3% |
| 2014 | 10.4% | -12.2% |
| 2015 | 8.4% | -19.1% |
| 2016 | 7.0% | -17.2% |
| 2017 | 5.9% | -14.7% |
| 2018 | 4.7% | -21.7% |
| 2019 | 3.8% | -18.5% |
| 2020 | 4.7% | +23.1% |
| 2021 | 4.9% | +5.3% |
| 2022 | 3.9% | -20.1% |
| 2023 | 4.2% | +7.4% |
| 2024 | 3.9% | -7.4% |
| 2025 | 3.4% | -13.0% |
Bulgaria compared with similar countries
- Bulgaria's 3.4% is below the median for high income countries, which is 5.5%, 62% of the median. (75 countries reporting)
- Bulgaria's 3.4% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 6.0%, 57% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 15.9% | 11.8% | 22.0% | 7 |
| 2000s | 11.6% | 5.8% | 18.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.3% | 3.8% | 11.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.2% | 3.4% | 4.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
- 140 Germany 3.5% compare
- 141 Madagascar 3.5% compare
- 142 Bangladesh 3.4% compare
- 144 Tanzania, United Republic of 3.4% compare
- 145 Singapore 3.3% compare
- 146 Poland 3.2% compare
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 unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Bulgaria?
- Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Bulgaria was 3.4% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 22.0% in 1993.
- What is the lowest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.4% in 2025.
- How does Bulgaria rank for unemployment, female (% of female labor force)?
- Bulgaria ranks 143rd out of 181 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, female (% of female labor force) rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 59.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.