ABOUT NSI

The National Statistical Institute (NSI) is a state institution in Bulgaria that collects, processes and disseminates official statistical information on social, economic and demographic processes in the country. The NSI's activities are aimed at providing objective and reliable data that support informed decision-making by the state, business and society. The Institute works in accordance with international statistical standards and is an active participant in the European Statistical System.

(02) 9857 111 ИЛИ Info@nsi.bg

Population by districts, age, place of residence and sex

Population by districts, age, place of residence and sex

  • Data
    
    29.04.2025
  • Time series

    Pop_6.1.3_Pop_DR_EN.xlsx

  • Metadata
    

    Euro-SDMX Metadata Structure (ESMS)

    POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC PROCESSES AND DEMOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS - Population, Average annual population, Natural movement of the population, Population projections
    Contact
    Contact organisation

    National Statistical Institute

    Contact organisation unit

    Population and Housing Fund Statistics

    Contact name

    Chrastina Petkova-Tancheva, PhD

    Contact person function

    Head of Department "Population and Housing fund Statistics"

     

     

    Contact mail address

    2, P. Volov Str.; 1038 Sofia, Bulgaria

    Contact email address

    CHPetkova@NSI.bg

    Contact phone number

    +359 2 9857553

     

    Contact fax number
    Metadata update
    Metadata last certified29 April 2025
    Metadata last posted29 April 2025
    Metadata last update29 April 2025
    Statistical presentation
    Data description

    The population and its structures are defined as of 31.12. of the respective year. The population number and structures at the end of each year are calculated based on the previous year data and data on natural and migration increase during the reference year.

    In the census years, recalculations of the population are done as of the end of the respective and the previous year. The recalculations are based on the census results and the respective calculations for the natural and migration increase, received from the current demographic statistics for the reference year.

    The concept "usual residence population" is applied in calculation of the population and its structures. The persons are included, permanently living in the country (having current address) as of 31.12. of the respective year and who have not been absent from the country for more than 1 year period.

    Demographic projections (the population perspective projections) are calculations done under settled in advance conditions for the future development of the fertility, mortality and migration. They give an idea for the population development during the projected period. Different scenarios for the population projections are used depending on the expected social-economic development of the country.

    Classification system

    · Classification of Territorial Units for Statistical Purposes in Bulgaria (NUTS);

    · Unified Classification of the Administrative-Territorial and Territorial Units in Bulgaria (UCATTU).

    Sector coverage

    The data on population number and structures cover persons permanently living at the country territory no matter their citizenship and status. The population territorial distribution (by settlements, municipalities, districts and statistical regions) is done according to the country administrative-territorial division as of 31.12. of the reference year and current address officially stated address of residence.

    The last demographic projection elaborated by NSI refers to the population development up to 2090 and is updated in 2023. A starting point of the projection is the population as of 07.09.2021. The projected population is distributed by sex and single ages for every year of the projected period. Data are published by five-year age groups and calendar periods.

     

    Statistical concepts and definitions

    Population as of 31.12.

    Persons permanently living (having current address) in the country as of 31.12. of the reference year and who have not been absent for more than 1 year period.

    The population number and structures at the end of each year are calculated on the basis of the population data for the preceding year and the data for natural and mechanical movement of the population during the current year.

    Average annual population

    The average annual number of population is average arithmetical value of the population at the end of previous and the end of reference year.

    Natural change

    The difference between the number of live births and the number of deaths during the reference year.

    Natural increase rate

    Calculated per 1 000 population and representing the difference between the number of live births and deaths during the year and the average annual population for the same year.

    Migration growth

    The difference between immigration into and emigration from the area during the year.

    Net international migration is the difference between immigration into and emigration from the country.

    Age

    The population age is calculated as of 31.12. in completed years based on date of birth, i.e. the age reached at the end of the reference year.

    Population under, at and over working age

    The age limits used for distribution of the population under, at and over working age defined according to the annually updated retirement age, adopted by the Council of Ministers.

    Age dependency ratio

    Ratio of the number of persons under 15 years of age and number of persons 65 and more per 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years calculated in percentage.

    Old age dependency ratio

    Ratio of the number of persons aged 65 and more per 100 persons aged 15-64 years calculated in percentage.

    Rate of demographic ageing

    Rate of increase of the population over working age (according to the respective age limits for male and female) compared to the previous year calculated in percentage.

    Demographic replacement rate

    Ratio between the number of population aged 15 to 19 years (persons entering working age) and the number of population aged 60 to 64 years (persons leaving working age) calculated in percentage.

    Statistical unit

    Persons

    Statistical population

    Total population

    Reference area

    Regional breakdown of the population is done according to the country administrative-territorial division as of 31.12. of the reference year - settlements, municipalities, districts and statistical regions.

    Time coverage

    For population:

    · 1880 - 2021  by census years;

    · 1946 - 2023  as of 31.12.;

    · 2010 - 2023  on the NSI website.

    For national projection - 2025 - 2090

    For district projections - 2025 - 2090

    Base period

    Not applicable.

    Unit of measure

    Number; percentage (%)

    Reference period

    The calendar year

    Institutional mandate
    Legal acts and other agreements

    · Law on Statistics;

    · Regulation (EU) 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European statistics;

    · Regulation (EU) 1260/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European demographic  statistics;

    · Commission implementing regulation (EU) № 205/2014 laying down uniformed conditions for the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council on European demographic statistics, as regards breakdowns of data, deadlines and data revisions

    · Law on Civil Registration.

    Data sharing

    Data are transmitted to Eurostat on the basis of  Regulation (EU) 1260/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European demographic statistics;

     

     

    Confidentiality
    Confidentiality - policy

    · Law on Statistics;

    · Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.

    Confidentiality - data treatment

    Individual data are not published in accordance with article 25 of the Law on Statistics. The publishing of individual data can be performed only in accordance with article 26 of the same law.

    Release policy
    Release calendar

    Information is published annually according to the Release Calendar presenting the results of the statistical surveys carried out by the National Statistical Institute.

    Release calendar access

    The calendar is available on the NSI website: http://www.nsi.bg/en

     

    User access

    Data is published on the NSI website, section Population and demographic processes in accordance with the Law on Statistics and the European Statistics Code of Practice respecting the professional independence and aimed at objectivity, transparency and equal treatment of all consumers.

    Frequency of dissemination

    Annually

    Accessibility and clarity
    News release

    News release "Population and demographic processes"

    Publications

    · Population and demographic processes;

    · Statistical Reference book;

    · Statistical Yearbook;

    · Booklet Bulgaria.

    On-line database

    Data on population are available to all users of the NSI website under the heading Population (Demography, Migration and Projections): http://www.nsi.bg/en/node/6701

    Information system Infostat: https://infostat.nsi.bg/infostat/pages/module.jsf?x_2=80 (Population) and https://infostat.nsi.bg/infostat/pages/module.jsf?x_2=122 (Population projections)

    Micro-data access

    Anonymised individual data can be provide for scientific and research purposes, and for individual request according to the Rules for the provision of anonymised individual data for scientific and research purposes.

    Other

    Information service on request, according to the Rules for the dissemination of statistical products and services in NSI.

    Documentation on methodology

    · Methodology on population and demographic processes: http://www.nsi.bg/sites/default/files/files/metadata/Pop_6_Metodology_population_en.pdf;

    · Methodology on population projections.

    Quality documentation

    Not available.

    Quality management
    Quality assurance

    Not applicable.

    Quality assessment

    Not applicable.

    Relevance
    User needs

    Data on population and demographic processes are presented annually to the Eurostat, UN and UNICEF - questionnaires filled in annually.

    At national and regional level the main data users are ministries, agencies, national organisations and local authorities.

    Data is presented to scientific institutes, universities, NGOs and others based on requests.

    User satisfaction

    No user' satisfaction surveys are carried out.

    Completeness

    Population data is available by sex, age (different groupings), residence (different territorial levels), citizenship and country of birth.

    Accuracy and reliability
    Overall accuracy

    Not applicable.

    Sampling error

    Not applicable.

    Non-sampling error

    Not applicable.

    Timeliness and punctuality
    Timeliness

    Data are published up to the end of April in the year following the reference year.

    Punctuality

    Data is released according to the terms.

    Coherence and comparability

    Comparability - geographical

    Data is collected and processed for the different territorial units using one and the same methodology and definitions.

     

    Comparability - over time

    Changes of the methodology and definitions for different time periods are published in the survey methodology.Due to the availability of a new population estimation based on Census 2021 data, there is a break in the time series for all 2022 rates, calculated with the average annual population.

    Since 2023, the population includes persons with valid document for temporary protection who entered the territory of the country after 24.02.2022 and for whom there is no evidence of having left the country and have at least 12 monthly stay in the country. Distributed throughout the territory of the country according to the first declared address.

     

    Coherence - cross domain

    Not applicable.

    Coherence - internal

    Not applicable.

    Cost and burden

    Not applicable.

    Data revision
    Data revision - policy

    Recalculations of the population at the end of reference year and for the previous one are done in the census years.

    Data revision - practice

    The recalculation of population is based on the census results and the respective calculations of the natural and migration growth for the reference year, received form the current demographic statistics.

    Statistical processing
    Source data

    Source of data on the population number and structures is the Information system "Demography" and the information on demographic events (births, deaths, marriages, divorces, migration) received from the Unified System for Civil registration and Administrative Service of Population.

    Frequency of data collection

    Monthly

    Data collection

    Exhaustively for all registered during the year demographic events.

    Computer files are received from the Unified System for Civil registration and Administrative Service of Population (administrative source).

    Data validation

    Data on demographic events is checked and controlled before to be loaded in the IS "Demography".

    For successful processing, the initial notification should meet the system rules on validation and control.

    The processed results are validated in respect the consistency of a single table and between the tables.

    Data compilation

    Data is processed by the IS "Demography" according to the rules for validation and control of the demographic events.

    Adjustment

    Not applicable.

    Comment
    Download in SDMX 2.1 file format: POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC PROCESSES AND DEMOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS - Population, Average annual population, Natural movement of the population, Population projections
    Metadata Structure Definition in SDMX 2.1: ESMS_MSD+BNSI+2.0+SDMX.2.1.xml
    Download in SDMX 2.0 file format: POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC PROCESSES AND DEMOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS - Population, Average annual population, Natural movement of the population, Population projections
    Metadata Structure Definition in SDMX 2.0: ESMS_MSD+BNSI+2.0+SDMX.2.0.xml
  • Quality reports
    

    ESS Standard for Quality Reports Structure (ESQRS)

    POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC PROCESSES AND DEMOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS - Population, Average annual population, Natural movement of the population, Population projections
    Contact
    Contact organisation

    National Statistical Institute

    Contact organisation unit

    Population and Housing Fund Statistics

    Contact name

    Chrastina Petkova-Tancheva, PhD

    Contact person function

    Head of Department "Population and Housing fund Statistics"

     

     

    Contact mail address

    2, P. Volov Str.; 1038 Sofia, Bulgaria

    Contact email address

    CHPetkova@NSI.bg

    Contact phone number

    +359 2 9857553

     

    Contact fax number
    Statistical presentation
    Data description

    The population and its structures are defined as of 31.12. of the respective year. The population number and structures at the end of each year are calculated based on the previous year data and data on natural and migration increase during the reference year.

    In the census years, recalculations of the population are done as of the end of the respective and the previous year. The recalculations are based on the census results and the respective calculations for the natural and migration increase, received from the current demographic statistics for the reference year.

    The concept "usual residence population" is applied in calculation of the population and its structures. The persons are included, permanently living in the country (having current address) as of 31.12. of the respective year and who have not been absent from the country for more than 1 year period.

    Demographic projections (the population perspective projections) are calculations done under settled in advance conditions for the future development of the fertility, mortality and migration. They give an idea for the population development during the projected period. Different scenarios for the population projections are used depending on the expected social-economic development of the country.

    Classification system

    · Classification of Territorial Units for Statistical Purposes in Bulgaria (NUTS);

    · Unified Classification of the Administrative-Territorial and Territorial Units in Bulgaria (UCATTU).

    Sector coverage

    The data on population number and structures cover persons permanently living at the country territory no matter their citizenship and status. The population territorial distribution (by settlements, municipalities, districts and statistical regions) is done according to the country administrative-territorial division as of 31.12. of the reference year and current address officially stated address of residence.

    The last demographic projection elaborated by NSI refers to the population development up to 2090 and is updated in 2023. A starting point of the projection is the population as of 07.09.2021. The projected population is distributed by sex and single ages for every year of the projected period. Data are published by five-year age groups and calendar periods.

     

    Statistical concepts and definitions

    Population as of 31.12.

    Persons permanently living (having current address) in the country as of 31.12. of the reference year and who have not been absent for more than 1 year period.

    The population number and structures at the end of each year are calculated on the basis of the population data for the preceding year and the data for natural and mechanical movement of the population during the current year.

    Average annual population

    The average annual number of population is average arithmetical value of the population at the end of previous and the end of reference year.

    Natural change

    The difference between the number of live births and the number of deaths during the reference year.

    Natural increase rate

    Calculated per 1 000 population and representing the difference between the number of live births and deaths during the year and the average annual population for the same year.

    Migration growth

    The difference between immigration into and emigration from the area during the year.

    Net international migration is the difference between immigration into and emigration from the country.

    Age

    The population age is calculated as of 31.12. in completed years based on date of birth, i.e. the age reached at the end of the reference year.

    Population under, at and over working age

    The age limits used for distribution of the population under, at and over working age defined according to the annually updated retirement age, adopted by the Council of Ministers.

    Age dependency ratio

    Ratio of the number of persons under 15 years of age and number of persons 65 and more per 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years calculated in percentage.

    Old age dependency ratio

    Ratio of the number of persons aged 65 and more per 100 persons aged 15-64 years calculated in percentage.

    Rate of demographic ageing

    Rate of increase of the population over working age (according to the respective age limits for male and female) compared to the previous year calculated in percentage.

    Demographic replacement rate

    Ratio between the number of population aged 15 to 19 years (persons entering working age) and the number of population aged 60 to 64 years (persons leaving working age) calculated in percentage.

    Statistical unit

    Persons

    Statistical population

    Total population

    Reference area

    Regional breakdown of the population is done according to the country administrative-territorial division as of 31.12. of the reference year - settlements, municipalities, districts and statistical regions.

    Time coverage

    For population:

    · 1880 - 2021  by census years;

    · 1946 - 2023  as of 31.12.;

    · 2010 - 2023  on the NSI website.

    For national projection - 2025 - 2090

    For district projections - 2025 - 2090

    Base period

    Not applicable.

    Statistical processing
    Source data

    Source of data on the population number and structures is the Information system "Demography" and the information on demographic events (births, deaths, marriages, divorces, migration) received from the Unified System for Civil registration and Administrative Service of Population.

    Frequency of data collection

    Monthly

    Data collection

    Exhaustively for all registered during the year demographic events.

    Computer files are received from the Unified System for Civil registration and Administrative Service of Population (administrative source).

    Data validation

    Data on demographic events is checked and controlled before to be loaded in the IS "Demography".

    For successful processing, the initial notification should meet the system rules on validation and control.

    The processed results are validated in respect the consistency of a single table and between the tables.

    Data compilation

    Data is processed by the IS "Demography" according to the rules for validation and control of the demographic events.

    Adjustment

    Not applicable.

    Quality management
    Quality assurance

    Not applicable.

    Quality assessment

    Not applicable.

    Relevance
    User needs

    Data on population and demographic processes are presented annually to the Eurostat, UN and UNICEF - questionnaires filled in annually.

    At national and regional level the main data users are ministries, agencies, national organisations and local authorities.

    Data is presented to scientific institutes, universities, NGOs and others based on requests.

    User satisfaction

    No user' satisfaction surveys are carried out.

    Completeness

    Population data is available by sex, age (different groupings), residence (different territorial levels), citizenship and country of birth.

    Data completeness - rate

    Not applicable

    Accuracy and reliability
    Overall accuracy

    Not applicable.

    Sampling error

    Not applicable.

    Sampling errors - indicators

    Not applicable.

    Non-sampling error

    Not applicable.

    Coverage error

    Not applicable.

    Over-coverage - rate

    Not applicable

    Common units - proportion

    Not applicable

    Measurement error

    Not applicable

    Non response error

    Not applicable

    Unit non-response - rate

    Not applicable

    Item non-response - rate

    Not applicable

    Processing error

    Not applicable

    Imputation - rate

    Not applicable

    Model assumption error

    Not applicable

    Seasonal adjustment

    Not applicable

    Data revision - policy

    Recalculations of the population at the end of reference year and for the previous one are done in the census years.

    Data revision - practice

    The recalculation of population is based on the census results and the respective calculations of the natural and migration growth for the reference year, received form the current demographic statistics.

    Data revision - average size

    Not applicable

    Timeliness and punctuality
    Timeliness

    Data are published up to the end of April in the year following the reference year.

    Time lag - first results

    4 months after the reference date

    Time lag - final results

    4 months after the reference date

    Punctuality

    Data is released according to the terms.

    Punctuality - delivery and publication

    Not applicable

    Coherence and comparability

    Comparability - geographical

    Data is collected and processed for the different territorial units using one and the same methodology and definitions.

     

    Asymmetry for mirror flows statistics - coefficient

    Not applicable

    Comparability - over time

    Changes of the methodology and definitions for different time periods are published in the survey methodology.Due to the availability of a new population estimation based on Census 2021 data, there is a break in the time series for all 2022 rates, calculated with the average annual population.

    Since 2023, the population includes persons with valid document for temporary protection who entered the territory of the country after 24.02.2022 and for whom there is no evidence of having left the country and have at least 12 monthly stay in the country. Distributed throughout the territory of the country according to the first declared address.

     

    Length of comparable time series

    since 2000

    Coherence - cross domain

    Not applicable.

    Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics

    Not applicable

    Coherence - National Accounts

    Not applicable

    Coherence - internal

    Not applicable.

    Accessibility and clarity
    News release

    News release "Population and demographic processes"

    Publications

    · Population and demographic processes;

    · Statistical Reference book;

    · Statistical Yearbook;

    · Booklet Bulgaria.

    On-line database

    Data on population are available to all users of the NSI website under the heading Population (Demography, Migration and Projections): http://www.nsi.bg/en/node/6701

    Information system Infostat: https://infostat.nsi.bg/infostat/pages/module.jsf?x_2=80 (Population) and https://infostat.nsi.bg/infostat/pages/module.jsf?x_2=122 (Population projections)

    Data tables - consultations

    Not applicable

    Micro-data access

    Anonymised individual data can be provide for scientific and research purposes, and for individual request according to the Rules for the provision of anonymised individual data for scientific and research purposes.

    Other

    Information service on request, according to the Rules for the dissemination of statistical products and services in NSI.

    Metadata - consultations

    Not applicable

    Documentation on methodology

    · Methodology on population and demographic processes: http://www.nsi.bg/sites/default/files/files/metadata/Pop_6_Metodology_population_en.pdf;

    · Methodology on population projections.

    Metadata completeness – rate

    100%

    Quality documentation

    Not available.

    Cost and burden

    Not applicable.

    Confidentiality
    Confidentiality - policy

    · Law on Statistics;

    · Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.

    Confidentiality – data treatment

    Individual data are not published in accordance with article 25 of the Law on Statistics. The publishing of individual data can be performed only in accordance with article 26 of the same law.

    Comment
    Download in SDMX 2.1 file format: POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC PROCESSES AND DEMOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS - Population, Average annual population, Natural movement of the population, Population projections
    Metadata Structure Definition in SDMX 2.1: ESQRS_MSD+BNSI+2.0+SDMX.2.1.xml
    Download in SDMX 2.0 file format: POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC PROCESSES AND DEMOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS - Population, Average annual population, Natural movement of the population, Population projections
    Metadata Structure Definition in SDMX 2.0: ESQRS_MSD+BNSI+2.0+SDMX.2.0.xml
  • Press releases
    Date Name File
    22.05.2025 Mortality and Life expectancy - 2022 - 2024 738.1 kb
    29.04.2025 Population and Demographic processes - 2024 - final data 646.4 kb
    26.07.2024 Post census revision of the population data for the period 2012 – 2021 220.84 kb
    22.05.2024 Life Expectancy at Birth in the Period 2021 - 2023 456.11 kb
    29.04.2024 Population and Demographic Processes in 2023 1370.09 kb
    22.06.2023 Households in the Republic of Bulgaria as of September 7, 2021 996.63 kb
    More pressreleases from Demographic and social statistics
  • Upcoming press releases and data (3)
    Date Name
    29.04.2026 Population and Demographic processes - 2025 - final data
    8.05.2026 Mortality and Life expectancy - 2023 - 2025
    6.07.2026 Residence permits for foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria - 2025
  • Publications
    Date Name File
    4.03.2025 Regions, districts and municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria 2023 5547.02 kb
    13.12.2024 Health Services 2024 8092.74 kb
    9.10.2024 Population and Demographic Processes 2023 5251.38 kb
    24.06.2024 Statistical Reference Book 2024 12671.2 kb
    14.06.2024 Bulgaria 2024 13033.13 kb
    14.06.2024 Statistical Reference Book 2024 (Bulgarian version) 8295.99 kb
    More publications in Demographic and social statistics
Back

The National Statistical Institute (NSI) is a state institution in Bulgaria that collects, processes and disseminates official statistical information on social, economic and demographic processes in the country. The NSI's activities are aimed at providing objective and reliable data that support informed decision-making by the state, business and society. The Institute works in accordance with international statistical standards and is an active participant in the European Statistical System.

Links

Responsibility

Contacts

Contact number

(02) 9857 111

Email

Info@nsi.bg

Address

2, P. Volov Str. 1038 Sofia, Bulgaria
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