Bulgaria Inflation Eases to Four-Month Low

Bulgaria’s annual inflation rate rose to 5.1% in August 2026 from a four-month low of 4.5% in the previous month, confirming preliminary estimates. Costs increased for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (6.1% vs 5.7% in July), transportation (21.5% vs 14.5%), recreation and culture (7.6% vs 7.5%), restaurants and hotels (9.6% vs 9.3%), and miscellaneous goods and services (5.6% vs 5.3%). Meanwhile, inflation remained steady for housing and utilities (at 5.1%) and furnishings and household equipment (at 0.3%), while prices for clothing and footwear were flat following a 0.4% drop a month earlier. On the other hand, price growth moderated for food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.8% vs 1.2%), health (3.3% vs 4.0%), education (9.1% vs 9.2%), and information and communication (1.5% vs 1.8%), while declines were recorded for insurance and financial services (-0.3% vs 1.1%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.6% in August, easing from a 0.8% increase in the preceding period.

Bulgaria’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 5.1% in August 2026 from a 4.5% rise in July, according to preliminary estimates. The acceleration was driven mainly by faster price growth for transport (22.4% vs 14.5%), while inflation also increased for restaurants and accommodation services (9.6% vs 9.3%), recreation, sport and culture (7.6% vs 7.5%), and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (6.1% vs 5.7%). Meanwhile, price growth slowed for food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.6% vs 1.2%), health (3.2% vs 4.0%), and education (9.1% vs 9.2%). Inflation was unchanged for housing and utilities (5.1% vs 5.1%), while the decline in clothing and footwear prices eased (0.0% vs -0.4%). Insurance and financial services moved into deflation (-0.3% vs 1.1%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.6% in August, slowing from a 0.8% increase in July.

Bulgaria’s annual inflation rate eased to 4.5% in July 2026 from 5.4% in the previous month, slightly above the preliminary estimate of 4.4% and marking the lowest reading in four months. The slowdown was driven mainly by softer price growth for transport (14.5% vs. 16.8%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.2% vs. 2.4%), and recreation, sport and culture (7.5% vs. 10.8%). Inflation also moderated for restaurants and accommodation services (9.3% vs. 9.6%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (5.7% vs. 6.7%), health (4.0% vs. 4.3%), and insurance and financial services (1.1% vs. 2.7%). Meanwhile, inflation accelerated slightly for housing and utilities (5.1% vs. 5.0%), while the decline in clothing and footwear prices eased (-0.4% vs. -1.0%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.8% in July, rebounding from a 0.9% decline in June and exceeding the preliminary estimate of a 0.7% increase.