Bulgaria Inflation Accelerates in August

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.

The annual inflation rate in Bulgaria eased to 4.4% in July 2026 from 5.4% in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates. The slowdown was driven mainly by softer price growth for transport, slowing to 12.4% from 16.8%, and food, easing to 1.4% from 2.4%. Price growth also slowed for recreation and culture (7.4% vs 10.8%), restaurants and hotels (9.3% vs 9.6%), education (9.2% vs 9.4%), health (4% vs 4.3%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (5.7% vs 6.7%), furnishings (0.3% vs 0.4%), and insurance and financial services (0.3% vs 2.7%). Meanwhile, inflation accelerated slightly for housing and utilities (5.1% vs 5%), while the decline in clothing and footwear prices softened (-0.4% vs -1%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.7% in July, rebounding from a 0.9% fall in June.