Bulgaria’s Annual Inflation Climbs to 6.1% in October

Jerusalem, 3 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – In October 2026, monthly inflation is expected to be 1.3 percent, and annual inflation to be 6.1 percent, according to the express preliminary estimate of the National Statistical Institute (NSI), published on the institute’s website.

In October, compared to the previous month, the largest price increase is expected in the groups: “Clothing and footwear” (7.4 percent), “Entertainment, sports and culture” (7 percent) and “Educational services” (2.5 percent).

The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which is used by Eurostat, is expected to be at 6 percent on an annual basis and 0.8 percent monthly for October, according to the National Statistical Institute.

In October 2026, compared to the previous month, the largest price increase is expected in the groups: “Clothing and footwear” (7.1 percent), “Entertainment, sports and culture” (2.7 percent) and “Educational services” (2.5 percent). A decrease is expected in the groups “Transport” (0.1 percent) and “Restaurant and hotel services” (0.1 percent).

The prices of goods and services from the small basket for the lowest-income 20 percent of households compared to the previous month are expected to have: non-food goods – an increase of 1.4 percent; food products – an increase of 0.6 percent; services – an increase of 0.1 percent.

According to the NSI’s express preliminary estimate in October 2026, the monthly change in the small basket price index is expected to be 0.7 percent, and the annual change to be 2.4 percent.

The National Statistical Institute (NSI) announces that it will publish information on inflation and consumer price indices for October 2026 on November 16.

BTA recalls that in September 2026, monthly inflation , measured by the consumer price index (CPI), was negative – 0.2 percent, and the annual inflation for September 2026 compared to September 2025 was 5.7 percent. The National Statistical Institute reported that inflation since the beginning of the year (September 2026 compared to December 2025) is 4.2 percent. The average annual inflation for the period October 2025 – September 2026 compared to the period October 2024 – September 2025 is 5.1 percent.

An express estimate by the National Statistical Institute indicated a monthly inflation of minus 0.3 percent for September, and an annual inflation of 5.6 percent. For August, the final inflation figures were respectively -0.6 percent and 5.1 percent.