Bulgaria Inflation Rate Rises to 4-Month High

The annual inflation rate in Bulgaria rose to 5.6% in September 2026 from 5.1% in the previous month, preliminary estimates showed. This marked the highest reading since May, as prices accelerated for food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.4% vs 0.8% in August), transport (25.6% vs 21.5%), alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics (6.9% vs 6.1%), housing and utilities (5.4% vs 5.1%), information and communication (1.6% vs 1.5%), and recreation, sport, and culture (8.2% vs 7.6%). In contrast, prices increased at a slower pace in health (3.1% vs 3.3%), education (7.7% vs 9.1%), restaurants and accommodation services (9.5% vs 9.6%), and personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services (5.1% vs 5.6%), while prices declined for furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance (-0.5% vs 0.3%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.3%, reversing a 0.6% gain in August.

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.