Bulgaria’s Inflation Accelerates to 5.1% in August
Jerusalem, 15 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – Monthly inflation in Bulgaria in August, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 0.6 percent, and annual inflation for August 2026 compared to August 2025 was 5.1 percent, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) announced.
Inflation since the beginning of the year (August 2026 compared to December 2025) is 4.3 percent. The average annual inflation for the period September 2025 – August 2026 compared to the period September 2024 – August 2025 is 5 percent.
The accumulated inflation, measured by the consumer price index for the last three years (August 2026 compared to August 2023) is 12.9 percent, and for the last five years (August 2026 compared to August 2021) is 43.2 percent.
BTA recalls that in July 2026, monthly inflation, measured by the consumer price index (CPI), was 0.8 percent, and annual inflation for July 2026 compared to July 2025 was 4.5 percent.
A report from the National Statistical Institute shows that in June the monthly inflation was minus 0.9 percent, and the annual – 5.4 percent, for May respectively – zero, and 6.9 percent, for April – 1.8 percent, and 6.8 percent, for March – 0.9 percent, and 4.1 percent, for February – 0.4 percent, and 3.3 percent. The year began with the monthly inflation of 0.6 percent and the annual – 3.5 percent.
In August, compared to July, the largest price increase was registered in the groups: “Transport” – by 5.5 percent, “Personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services” – by 0.9 percent, “Restaurant and hotel services” – by 0.8 percent and “Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products” – by 0.8 percent.
There was also an increase in the groups “Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels” – by 0.2 percent, “Entertainment, sports and culture” – by 0.2 percent; “Information and communication” – by 0.2 percent; “Housing furnishings, household goods and services” – by 0.1 percent, “Educational services” – by 0.1 percent.
A decrease was registered in the groups: “Clothing and footwear” – by 2 percent, “Healthcare” – by 0.4 percent and “Food products and non-alcoholic beverages” – by 0.1 percent.
In August 2026, the monthly change in prices of basic food products by groups was: “Milk, dairy products and eggs” – an increase of 0.7 percent, “Meat, by-products and meat products” – an increase of 0.4 percent and “Bread, bakery and confectionery” – a decrease of 0.3 percent.
In non-food goods and services, a decrease in prices was registered for: shoes – by 3.4 percent, dishwashers – by 2.1 percent, cleaning and disinfectants – by 1.6 percent, clothing – by 1.4 percent, air conditioners – by 1.1 percent, garden products – by 0.2 percent.
An increase in the prices of medical services was registered – by 0.9 percent and dental services – by 0.6 percent, while a decrease was recorded in pharmaceutical products – by 0.7 percent.
Measured according to the harmonized EU methodology (HICP) in August 2026, the monthly inflation was 0.8 percent, and the annual inflation for August 2026 compared to August 2025 was 5 percent. Inflation since the beginning of the year (August 2026 compared to December 2025) was 4.9 percent. The average annual inflation for the period September 2025 – August 2026 compared to the period September 2024 – August 2025 was 4.1 percent.
