Updated
Overview
Serbia and Bulgaria are nearly matched in population: 6.55 million versus 6.43 million people (2025).
Bulgaria's economy is 31% larger than Serbia's, at $130.78B versus $99.95B.
Per person, Bulgaria is the wealthier of the two: $20,328 against $15,262 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Serbia | Bulgaria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $99.95B | Higher: $130.78B | 2025 | $89.08B / $112.21B |
| GDP per capita | $15,262 | Higher: $20,328 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.0% | Higher: 3.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.9% | 4.6% | 2025 | 4.7% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 45 | 23 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,559 | Higher: $1,573 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $696 | $318 | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 6.55 million | 6.43 million | 2025 | 6.65 million / 6.74 million |
| Population growth | -0.6% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 44.4 yrs | 44.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.74 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 76.0 yrs | 75.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 63% | 74% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 88% | 82% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 77,474 km² | 110,879 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 84.5/km² | 58.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 42 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.2 t | Lower: 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.32B | $2.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.6% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 32,000 | 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 2.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in Serbia and 4.6% in Bulgaria.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Bulgaria: a price level of 23 versus 45 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Bulgaria: $1,573 against $1,559 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 44.4 (Serbia) and 44.8 (Bulgaria).
Bulgaria is considerably more urbanized: 74% of people live in cities, against 63%.
Geography
By land area, Serbia is 30% smaller than Bulgaria: 77,474 km² versus 110,879 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $2.32B (Serbia) and $2.33B (Bulgaria).
Bulgaria fields the larger armed forces: 37,000 personnel against 32,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Serbia bigger than Bulgaria?
- Bulgaria is larger by land area. Serbia covers 77,474 km² while Bulgaria covers 110,879 km², so Bulgaria is 43% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Serbia or Bulgaria?
- Serbia has the larger population: 6.55 million versus 6.43 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Serbia richer than Bulgaria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Bulgaria is richer: $20,328 against $15,262. Total GDP tells the same story: $99.95B for Serbia versus $130.78B for Bulgaria.
- Who spends more on their military, Serbia or Bulgaria?
- Bulgaria spends more: $2.33B versus $2.32B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).