Updated
Overview
Greece has about 60% more people than Bulgaria: 10.41 million against 6.43 million (2025).
Greece's economy is 2.1 times the size of Bulgaria's, at $280.64B versus $130.78B.
Per person, Greece is the wealthier of the two: $26,948 against $20,328 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Greece | Bulgaria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $280.64B | $130.78B | 2025 | $257.14B / $112.21B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $26,948 | $20,328 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.1% | Higher: 3.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.5% | 4.6% | 2025 | 2.7% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 8.5% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 60 | 23 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $2,185 | $1,573 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,161 | $318 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 10.41 million | 6.43 million | 2025 | 10.42 million / 6.74 million |
| Population growth | 0.1% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 46.8 yrs | 44.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.34 | 1.74 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 81.8 yrs | 75.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 74% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 86% | 82% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 131,990 km² | 110,879 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 78.9/km² | 58.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 53 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.3 t | Lower: 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.02B | $2.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.1% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 147,000 | 37,000 | 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
Bulgaria is growing faster: 3.1% annual GDP growth versus 2.1%.
Bulgaria runs the hotter price environment: 4.6% inflation versus 2.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Bulgaria: a price level of 23 versus 60 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Greece: $2,185 against $1,573 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 46.8 (Greece) and 44.8 (Bulgaria).
Life expectancy is 6.1 years longer in Greece (81.8 vs 75.8).
Geography
By land area, Greece is 19% larger than Bulgaria: 131,990 km² versus 110,879 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Greece spends 3.4 times as much on defence as Bulgaria: $8.02B versus $2.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Greece carries the heavier military burden: 3.1% of GDP versus 2.1%.
Greece fields the larger armed forces: 147,000 personnel against 37,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Greece bigger than Bulgaria?
- Greece is larger by land area. Greece covers 131,990 km² while Bulgaria covers 110,879 km², so Greece is 19% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Greece or Bulgaria?
- Greece has the larger population: 10.41 million versus 6.43 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Greece richer than Bulgaria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Greece is richer: $26,948 against $20,328. Total GDP tells the same story: $280.64B for Greece versus $130.78B for Bulgaria.
- Who spends more on their military, Greece or Bulgaria?
- Greece spends more: $8.02B versus $2.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).