Bulgaria: environment

What are Bulgaria's CO2 emissions?

Bulgaria emitted 32.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI), less than in 2023. Burning fuels for energy production caused 53% of carbon dioxide emissions.

The NSI calculates emissions from its own survey and from the national emissions inventories prepared by the Executive Environment Agency. Emissions of sulphur oxides were 42 thousand tonnes, with 82% coming from fuel combustion for energy. The figures measure what is released, not the air quality people breathe.

Official sources: NSI: air emissions, 2024

How polluted is the air in Bulgaria?

People in Bulgaria were exposed to an average of 19.7 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank, down from 22.8 in 2022. The National Statistical Institute reports that 81% of PM2.5 emissions come from other sources, which include agriculture, transport, household heating and waste.

The World Bank figure is a modelled estimate of exposure. Measured air quality is published by the Executive Environment Agency, whose site could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Bulgaria · NSI: air emissions, 2024

How much waste does Bulgaria produce?

Bulgaria's economy generated 88,969,530 tonnes of waste in 2024, 5.59% less than in 2023, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). 83% was non-hazardous and 17% hazardous. Mining and quarrying produced 80% of the total.

Most of the total is mineral waste from mining, so the figure moves with mining output. Electricity, gas and steam supply produced 6.61% and manufacturing 5.24%. The survey covers waste from economic activity and follows the EU waste statistics regulation.

Official sources: NSI: waste from economic activity, 2024

What is Bulgaria's carbon footprint per person?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 5.3 tonnes. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.1 tonnes, and Bulgaria placed 22nd highest of 46. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 46th highest.

What are Bulgaria's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Bulgaria at 46.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 27th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Worldwide: 83rd of 186.

What share of Bulgaria's energy comes from renewables?

20.4%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Bulgaria for 2021, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 21.1%; its low point was 2007, at 8.8%. It is 26th highest of 50 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 20.4%. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 106th highest.

What is Bulgaria's forest cover?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 36.4%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 33.2%; Bulgaria is 21st highest of 51. Worldwide: 83rd of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Bulgaria?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Bulgaria was 19.7 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 10th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 86th highest.

How much of Bulgaria is in national parks and reserves?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 44.3%. Its high point since 2013 was 2013, at 45.2%; its low point was 2016, at 34.7%. Europe & Central Asia median: 22.1%; Bulgaria is 2nd highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 5th of 192.

How much of Bulgaria's fresh water is used?

In 2022, water stress in Bulgaria was 40.2%, according to the FAO. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 47.5%; its low point was 2020, at 36.7%. Europe & Central Asia median: 12.6%; Bulgaria is 11th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 43rd of 175.