Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The number of believers has decreased by 9 percent for 10 years

Photo: EPA/BGNES

Bulgaria ranks last in the EU with just 12 priests per 100,000 people. There are more than 8,000 churches and monasteries in the country, or 10 times more temples than clergy, according to the latest national census of 2021.

51.4% or 3 million said they believe in God. 24.7% declared themselves non-believers. 13 percent could not define if they are believers and 11% did not want to answer. During the previous census in 2011, 60.4% said they were religious and 22% declared themselves non-religious. 4,219,270 people (71.5%) of those who answered the question identified themselves as Christians. 97% of Christians are Orthodox. In 1992, 86.7% of the respondents were Christians. Protestants are 1.7%, Catholics are 0.9% and Armenian Christians - 0.1%. Muslims are 638,708 or 10.8% of the respondents; Jewish people are 1,736, while 6,451 people profess other religions.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Renowned Bulgarian journalist Asen Grigorov has passed away

Asen Grigorov, a respected and recognisable voice in Bulgarian media, has passed away after a short illness. Known for his sharp analysis and fine irony, he was one of the country’s most distinctive journalists. Born in 1966, he began his career..

published on 5/23/25 3:04 PM

Four million Bulgarians will get free home tests for two types of cancer

The Ministry of Health is preparing a programme of home testing for colon and cervical cancer. According to BNR reporter Elena Beykova, the tests will be free and distributed by general practitioners and regional health inspectorates. The campaign is..

published on 5/23/25 2:52 PM

Rosen Zhelyazkov gifts Pope Leo XIV with a symbolic omophorion during a Vatican audience.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov presented Pope Leo XIV with a specially crafted omophorion during an audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. This liturgical vestment symbolizes spiritual and episcopal authority, according to the Council of..

published on 5/23/25 2:16 PM