Bulgaria Inflation Rate Climbs to Near 3-Year High

2026-06-01 08:21 By Nicole Aliyah 1 min. read

The annual inflation rate in Bulgaria climbed to 7.0% in May 2026 from 6.8% in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates.

It marked the highest reading since August 2023, as prices accelerated mainly for transportation (22.1% vs 18.5% in April) due to the ongoing Middle East war that disrupted oil supplies.

Prices increased as well for alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (7.7% vs 7.4%), housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (5.2% vs 4.7%), and restaurants and accommodation services (9.4% vs 9.3%).

Meanwhile, recreation, sport and culture inflation remained elevated at 15.8%, although it eased from 17.0% in April.

In contrast, price growth slowed for food and non-alcoholic beverages (4.9% vs 5.3%) and furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (0.9% vs 1.2%), while clothing and footwear prices declined (-0.4% vs 0.0%).

On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2%, easing significantly from a 1.8% increase in the previous month.



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Bulgaria Inflation Rate at 6.9% in May
The annual inflation rate in Bulgaria was confirmed at 6.9% in May 2026, below the preliminary estimate of 7.0%, and slightly above 6.8% in April. The reading remained the highest since August 2023. Transport costs continued to record the strongest increase, rising 21.6% year-on-year amid higher fuel prices linked to disruptions in global oil supplies caused by the Middle East conflict. Price growth also accelerated for alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (7.7% vs 7.4%), housing and utilities (5.2% vs 4.7%), and restaurants and accommodation services (9.4% vs 9.3%). Meanwhile, inflation eased for recreation, sport and culture (15.7% vs 17.0%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (4.4% vs 5.3%), and furnishings and household maintenance (0.9% vs 1.2%). Prices for clothing and footwear fell 0.4%, after being unchanged in April. On a monthly basis, consumer prices were flat in May, following a 1.8% increase in the previous month.
2026-06-15
Bulgaria Inflation Rate Climbs to Near 3-Year High
The annual inflation rate in Bulgaria climbed to 7.0% in May 2026 from 6.8% in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates. It marked the highest reading since August 2023, as prices accelerated mainly for transportation (22.1% vs 18.5% in April) due to the ongoing Middle East war that disrupted oil supplies. Prices increased as well for alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (7.7% vs 7.4%), housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (5.2% vs 4.7%), and restaurants and accommodation services (9.4% vs 9.3%). Meanwhile, recreation, sport and culture inflation remained elevated at 15.8%, although it eased from 17.0% in April. In contrast, price growth slowed for food and non-alcoholic beverages (4.9% vs 5.3%) and furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (0.9% vs 1.2%), while clothing and footwear prices declined (-0.4% vs 0.0%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2%, easing significantly from a 1.8% increase in the previous month.
2026-06-01
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.
2026-05-18