Bulgaria Inflation Rate Rises Near 3-Year High

The annual inflation rate in Bulgaria climbed to 6.8% in April 2026 from 4.1% in the previous month, below the preliminary estimate of 7.1%. This marked the highest reading since August 2023, as prices accelerated for food and non-alcoholic beverages (5.3% vs 3.7% in March), alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics (7.4% vs 6.7%), housing and utilities (4.7% vs 4.1%), furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (1.2% vs 0.1%), transport (18.5% vs 5.8%), recreation, sport, and culture (17.0% vs 16.8%), education (9.1% vs 8.5%), restaurants and accommodation services (9.3% vs 9.0%), insurance and financial services (2.7% vs 0.7%), and miscellaneous goods and services (6.7% vs 5.7%). Additionally, costs rebounded for health (4.3% vs -4.6%) and information and communication (0.3% vs -2.7%), while clothing and footwear prices remained flat. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 1.8%, the fastest increase in over a year, after a 0.9% gain in March.

The annual inflation rate in Bulgaria climbed to 7.1% in April 2026 from 4.1% in the previous month, preliminary estimates showed. It marked the highest reading since August 2023, as prices accelerated for food and non-alcoholic beverages (5.7% vs 3.7% in March), housing and utilities (4.7% vs 4.1%), and transport (20.3% vs 5.8%), amid a prolonged Middle East war that has severely disrupted global supplies of oil and natural gas. Price increases came despite the Bulgarian government announcing a €100 million support package in response to energy price shocks linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis, aimed at easing pressure on fuels, transport, agriculture, and electricity costs, while also improving liquidity access for small and medium-sized enterprises. The €20 monthly support for the most vulnerable individuals due to high fuel prices has been in effect since March 26. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 2% from 0.9% in March, marking the highest level since January 2025.

The annual inflation rate in Bulgaria rose to 4.1% in March 2026, revised from 3.9% in the preliminary estimate, following a 3.3% increase in the previous month. This marked the highest reading since December 2025, as prices rebounded in transport (5.8% vs -1.9% in February), driven by rising fuel costs due to the Middle East conflict. Inflation also continued in housing and utilities (4.1% vs 3.6%), and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (6.7% vs 6.2%). At the same time, deflation eased in information and communication (-2.7% vs -3.1%). Meanwhile, price growth softened in food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.7% vs 3.9%), furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (0.1% vs 0.5%), and education (8.5% vs 8.6%). Moreover, inflation was unchanged in clothing and footwear after a 0.4% increase, while deflation persisted in health (-4.6% vs -4.1%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.9% in March, revised from 0.7% in the initial estimate, from 0.4% in the prior month.