Varna: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Varna: Labour offices in Varna municipality had 3,652 registered unemployed people on average in 2024, a registered unemployment level of 2.4% against 5.2% nationally, 2nd lowest of 6 cities.
- Health in Varna: At the end of 2024, 2,123 physicians worked in Varna municipality, which is 648 for every 100,000 people (national rate 468).
- Education in Varna: Varna municipality had 77 educational institutions in the 2024/25 school year: 53 general education schools, 12 vocational gymnasiums and 6 universities or equivalent higher schools.
- Poverty and living standards in Varna: Courts imposed penalties for 1,182 crimes committed in Varna municipality in 2024 and convicted 1,073 people, 32.8 per 10,000 residents (national 33.9); 12.4% of those convicted were women.
What is the population of Varna?
Varna had 310,664 inhabitants (city proper) on 7 September 2021, according to a complete census (usual residents) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Varna rank among cities in Bulgaria?
Of the 6 cities the UN table lists for Bulgaria (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is 3rd largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Varna?
Women and girls made up 52.4% of residents (162,735 female, 147,929 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyWhat is the population of Varna?
Varna municipality had 327,424 residents on 31 December 2024, 5.1% of Bulgaria's population.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyWhat is the population of Varna?
Varna had 327,424 residents on 1 January 2025 according to the EU Urban Audit; 14.8% were under 15 and 20.4% were 65 or older.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyIs Varna growing?
The population shrank by 4.7% between 2012 and 2025.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyMore figures
- Varna municipality covers 238 square kilometres, which gives 1,375.9 residents per square kilometre at the end of 2024 against 58.0 for Bulgaria as a whole. Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
Who runs Varna?
In Bulgaria, cities and towns are run by municipalities – obshtini: Municipal council and mayor (kmet) directly elected every four years (last in October 2023). Schools (buildings and staff), kindergartens, local roads, waste, water, social services.
How local power works in Bulgaria
Cities of a similar size in Bulgaria
- Sofia 1,183,400
- Plovdiv 319,612
- Burgas 189,741
- Ruse 124,787
- Stara Zagora 122,536
Up a level: all cities in Bulgaria · Bulgaria · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_ctour: Urban Audit: culture and tourism (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 235d13e6125c…)
- National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI): Regions, districts and municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria 2024 (yearbook tables by statistical region, district and municipality), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 81cba27bb0cc…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_cpop1: Urban Audit: population on 1 January by age groups and sex (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0ef23d60abc9…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_clivcon: Urban Audit: living conditions (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bc58ab68d418…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_cfermor: Urban Audit: fertility and mortality (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bd2b301d78c2…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_clma: Urban Audit: labour market (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 be050965f9c6…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_ctran: Urban Audit: transport (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c4e74aa07496…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_ceduc: Urban Audit: education (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 af187c7040a4…)
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