School-age population (pre-primary level) in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: School-age population (pre-primary level) was 235,403 in 2024. ▼ Falling
School-age population in Bulgaria, 2000–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for school-age population in Bulgaria is 235,403, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is down 0.8% on the previous year and down 17.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, school-age population in Bulgaria peaked at 302,984 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 235,403, in 2024.
Bulgaria ranks 41st of 72 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 25 years of available data.
School-age population (pre-primary level) in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 302,984 | — |
| 2001 | 283,257 | -6.5% |
| 2002 | 251,956 | -11.1% |
| 2003 | 253,569 | +0.6% |
| 2004 | 254,200 | +0.2% |
| 2005 | 257,983 | +1.5% |
| 2006 | 258,224 | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 253,204 | -1.9% |
| 2008 | 251,826 | -0.5% |
| 2009 | 254,824 | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 259,518 | +1.8% |
| 2011 | 264,426 | +1.9% |
| 2012 | 270,127 | +2.2% |
| 2013 | 285,039 | +5.5% |
| 2014 | 285,420 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 280,323 | -1.8% |
| 2016 | 271,233 | -3.2% |
| 2017 | 258,039 | -4.9% |
| 2018 | 249,734 | -3.2% |
| 2019 | 243,759 | -2.4% |
| 2020 | 240,487 | -1.3% |
| 2021 | 242,601 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 239,135 | -1.4% |
| 2023 | 237,419 | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 235,403 | -0.8% |
Bulgaria compared with similar countries
- Bulgaria's 235,403 is above the median for high income countries, which is 182,828, 1.3× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Bulgaria's 235,403 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 217,062, 1.1× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 262,203 | 251,826 | 302,984 | 10 |
| 2010s | 266,762 | 243,759 | 285,420 | 10 |
| 2020s | 239,009 | 235,403 | 242,601 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
More education data for Bulgaria
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 94.2 (2024)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 94.1 (2024)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 43,834 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1,173 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 111,576 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 105,281 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 485,226 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 234,521 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.7644 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is school-age population in Bulgaria?
- School-age population in Bulgaria was 235,403 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest school-age population recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 302,984 in 2000.
- What is the lowest school-age population recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 235,403 in 2024.
- How does Bulgaria rank for school-age population?
- Bulgaria ranks 41st out of 72 countries with data for 2024.
- Is school-age population rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of School-age population (pre-primary level). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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