Bulgaria: health and care

What is life expectancy in Bulgaria?

Life expectancy at birth in Bulgaria was 75.9 years for the period 2023-2025, 0.3 years more than for 2022-2024, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). It was 72.2 years for men and 79.6 years for women. Life expectancy at age 65 was 17.0 years.

The NSI calculates life expectancy over three years to smooth out yearly swings. It is the number of years a newborn would live if death rates stayed as they were. It ranged from 72.7 years in Vidin district to 78.2 years in Sofia (capital). Urban residents could expect 76.7 years and rural residents 73.8.

Official sources: NSI: mortality and life expectancy, 2023-2025

What is the death rate in Bulgaria?

There were 99,479 deaths in Bulgaria in 2025, a crude death rate of 15.5 per 1,000 people, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). Deaths fell 1.2% on 2024. Diseases of the circulatory system caused 60.9% of deaths, according to the NSI release on causes of death.

The crude death rate is high partly because the population is old: 24.3% of people were 65 or over at the end of 2025. Cancers (neoplasms) were the second-largest cause, at 266.8 deaths per 100,000 people. Infant mortality was 4.6 per 1,000 live births.

Official sources: NSI: population and demographic processes, 2025 · NSI: deaths by causes, 2025

What is the fertility rate in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria's total fertility rate was 1.63 children per woman in 2025, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). There were 50,241 live births, 6.0% fewer than in 2024.

The total fertility rate is the average number of children a woman would have at that year's birth rates. A rate of about 2.1 is usually needed to keep a population stable without migration. The number of women aged 15 to 49 fell by 11 thousand in 2025, to 1,246,560, so births can fall even when the rate per woman holds.

Official sources: NSI: population and demographic processes, 2025

How many hospitals are there in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria had 316 hospitals with 54,674 beds at the end of 2025, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI); 202 were public and 114 private. Counting all establishments for hospital care, there were 338 with 56,925 beds, or 886.2 beds per 100,000 people.

Private hospitals held 31.3% of hospital beds. Bed numbers vary widely between districts, from 1,347.1 per 100,000 people in Pleven to 424.4 in Pernik. The count of beds measures capacity, not how many patients are treated or waiting times.

Official sources: NSI: health care establishments as of 31.12.2025

How long do people live in Bulgaria?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 75.8 years. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 41st highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 79.5 years. World rank, highest first: 80th of 193.

What is Bulgaria's infant mortality rate?

The latest figure from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, for 2024, is 4.6 per 1,000. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 16th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.4 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 149th of 192.

How many women die in childbirth in Bulgaria?

6.0 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Bulgaria for 2023, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 6.0 per 100,000, and Bulgaria placed 26th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 160th highest.

How much does Bulgaria spend on health?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 7.9% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 8.6% of GDP; its low point was 2007, at 6.2% of GDP. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 7.5% of GDP, and Bulgaria placed 24th highest of 51. Worldwide: 61st of 191.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Bulgaria?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 35.5%. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 47.7%; its low point was 2021, at 33.7%. It is 10th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 22.0%. Worldwide: 65th of 191.

How many doctors per person does Bulgaria have?

According to the WHO, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Bulgaria was 4.3 per 1,000 in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.7 per 1,000, and Bulgaria placed 15th highest of 42. Of 125 countries with 2022 data, 19th highest.

How many hospital beds per person does Bulgaria have?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 8.2 per 1,000. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 4.2 per 1,000; Bulgaria is 2nd highest of 23. Of 73 countries with 2023 data, 3rd highest.

How many children in Bulgaria are vaccinated against measles?

94.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Bulgaria for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 97.0%; its low point was 2020, at 88.0%. Europe & Central Asia median: 94.0%; Bulgaria is 24th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 68th of 191.