Updated
Overview
Bulgaria has 3.5 times the population of North Macedonia: 6.43 million people against 1.82 million (2025).
Bulgaria's economy is 6.8 times the size of North Macedonia's, at $130.78B versus $19.10B.
Per person, Bulgaria is the wealthier of the two: $20,328 against $10,490 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bulgaria | North Macedonia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $130.78B | $19.10B | 2025 | $112.21B / $16.68B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $20,328 | $10,490 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.1% | Higher: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 4.6% | Lower: 4.1% | 2025 | 2.4% / 3.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.5% | 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 37 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,573 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $318 | Higher: $659 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 6.43 million | 1.82 million | 2025 | 6.74 million / 2.14 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 44.8 yrs | 41.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.74 | 1.47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.8 yrs | Higher: 76.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 74% | 63% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 82% | Higher: 93% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 110,879 km² | 25,713 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 58.0/km² | 70.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 32 Mt | Lower: 6.62 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.7 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.33B | $353.68M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 37,000 | 16,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (3.1% for Bulgaria, 3.5% for North Macedonia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 4.6% in Bulgaria and 4.1% in North Macedonia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Bulgaria: a price level of 23 versus 37 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
North Macedonia is the younger society: median age 41.0 versus 44.8 years.
Bulgaria is considerably more urbanized: 74% of people live in cities, against 63%.
Internet adoption is higher in North Macedonia (93% vs 82% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bulgaria is 4.3 times the size of North Macedonia: 110,879 km² versus 25,713 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Bulgaria spends 6.6 times as much on defence as North Macedonia: $2.33B versus $353.68M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Bulgaria fields the larger armed forces: 37,000 personnel against 16,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bulgaria bigger than North Macedonia?
- Bulgaria is larger by land area. Bulgaria covers 110,879 km² while North Macedonia covers 25,713 km², so Bulgaria is 4.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bulgaria or North Macedonia?
- Bulgaria has the larger population: 6.43 million versus 1.82 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bulgaria richer than North Macedonia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Bulgaria is richer: $20,328 against $10,490. Total GDP tells the same story: $130.78B for Bulgaria versus $19.10B for North Macedonia.
- Who spends more on their military, Bulgaria or North Macedonia?
- Bulgaria spends more: $2.33B versus $353.68M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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