Bulgaria: crime and justice

What is the crime rate in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria's rate of criminal activity was 379 convicted persons per 100,000 people aged 14 and over in 2025, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). It was 728 per 100,000 for men and 61 for women.

This rate counts people convicted by the courts, not crimes reported to the police, so it is much lower than a count of recorded offences. Many crimes are never reported, and many reported crimes do not lead to a conviction. The NSI publishes these court statistics every year.

Official sources: NSI: crimes, accused and convicted persons, 2025

How many people are convicted of crimes in Bulgaria?

21,187 people were convicted in Bulgaria in 2025, 2.9% fewer than in 2024, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). 91.6% were men, and 719 (3.4%) were juveniles aged 14 to 17. Courts concluded trials for 28,414 crimes; 10,313 ended with effective sentences and 12,932 with conditional sentences.

Generally dangerous crimes, a chapter of the Criminal Code, made up 50.2% of crimes with penalties imposed, and property crimes 18.1%. Crimes against the person made up 10.9%.

Official sources: NSI: crimes, accused and convicted persons, 2025

How many murders are there in Bulgaria?

1.1 per 100,000: that is the intentional homicide rate in Bulgaria for 2023, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The peak was 2.6 per 100,000 in 2005 and the low 1.0 per 100,000 in 2020. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.0 per 100,000, and Bulgaria placed 17th highest of 35. Of 79 countries with 2023 data, 53rd highest.

How many women are murdered in Bulgaria?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the homicide rate for women in Bulgaria at 0.9 per 100,000 in 2023. The peak was 1.4 per 100,000 in 2006 and the low 0.6 per 100,000 in 2016. Europe & Central Asia median: 0.7 per 100,000; Bulgaria is 9th highest of 36. Of 78 countries with 2023 data, 41st highest.

How many men are killed in Bulgaria?

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the homicide rate for men in Bulgaria was 1.3 per 100,000 in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.3 per 100,000 (2020) to 3.9 per 100,000 (2005). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.3 per 100,000, and Bulgaria placed 20th highest of 36. Worldwide: 55th of 78.