Bulgaria Inflation Rate Rises Near 2-Year High

Bulgaria’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 3.9% in March 2026 from a one-year low of 3.3% in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates. Prices increased faster for alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (6.7% vs 6.2% in February), housing and utilities (4.1% vs 3.6%), and recreation, sport and culture (16.7% vs 15.7%), while transport costs rebounded (4.2% vs -1.9%). Additionally, prices declined at a slower rate for information and communication (-2.7% vs -3.1%). On the other hand, inflation softened for food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.7% vs 3.9%), furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (0.1% vs 0.5%), and personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services (5.8% vs 6%), while prices decreased further for health (-4.7% vs -4.1%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.4% in March, easing from a 0.6% gain in the preceding period.

Bulgaria’s annual inflation rate eased to 3.3% in February 2026 from 3.5% in the previous month, marking the lowest level since December 2024 and matching preliminary estimates. Price growth slowed mainly for furnishing, household equipment, and maintenance (0.5% vs 1.4% in January), housing and utilities (3.6% vs 3.7%), recreation, sport, and culture (15.7% vs 16.3%), restaurants and accommodation services (9.1% vs 9.2%), and personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services (6.0% vs 6.1%). Costs continued to decline for transport (-1.9% vs -1.4%) and information and communication (-3.1% vs -2.2%). Meanwhile, prices edged up for clothing and footwear (0.4% vs 0.3%), while remaining steady for food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.9%), alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics (6.2%), education services (8.6%), and insurance and financial services (0.8%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.4% in February, slowing from 0.6% in January.

Bulgaria’s annual inflation rate eased to 3.3% in February 2026 from 3.5% in January, its lowest since December 2024, according to preliminary estimates. Price growth slowed across most categories, including housing and utilities (3.6% vs 3.7% in January), furnishings and household maintenance (0.5% vs 1.4%), recreation and sport (15.3% vs 16.3%), restaurants and accommodation services (9.1% vs 9.2%), and personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services (5.9% vs 6.1%). In addition, deflation persisted in transport (-1.9% vs -1.4%) and information and communication (-3.1% vs -2.2%), while health remained unchanged (-4.1%). In contrast, inflation ticked higher in clothing and footwear (0.4% vs 0.3%) and held steady in food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.9%), alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (6.2%), and education (8.6%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.3%, down from 0.6% in January.