Bulgaria
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
74 / 100
Free
Multiple parties compete in Bulgaria’s democratic system, and there have been several transfers of power between rival parties in recent decades. The country continues to struggle with issues including political corruption, organized crime, media freedom, and discrimination against ethnic minorities.
Research & Recommendations
Bulgaria
Free
74
100
| PR Political Rights | 30 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 44 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
77
100
Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Freedom in the World 2026 Policy Recommendations
Strengthen democratic coordination and collective action in a contested global order
Democratic resilience will increasingly depend on stronger coordination among countries that share a commitment to freedom, the rule of law, and accountable governance.
Reimagine international democracy assistance to help reverse the global decline in freedom
International support for democratic institutions, civil society, and independent media has been associated with modest but meaningful improvements in democratic governance, and it is far less costly than the military outlays necessitated by rising authoritarian aggression.
Prioritize engagement with younger generations in the digital spaces where civic identity is now formed
Young people are increasingly dissatisfied with democracy—not because they reject its principles, but because they see institutions failing to deliver on them. Programmatic work should create clear pathways for meaningful political participation, from voting and policy engagement to community organizing and public leadership, so that young people can translate their expectations into agency.
Bulgaria
Semi-Consolidated Democracy
59
100
| DEMOCRACY-PERCENTAGE Democracy Percentage | 58.93 100 |
| DEMOCRACY-SCORE Democracy Score | 4.54 7 |
Last Year's Democracy Percentage & Status
58
100
Semi-Consolidated Democracy
The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 1 the lowest. The Democracy Score is an average of ratings for the categories tracked in a given year. The Democracy Percentage, introduced in 2020, is a translation of the Democracy Score to the 0-100 scale, where 0 equals least democratic and 100 equals most democratic.
See the methodology.
Executive Summary
In 2023, efforts at solving Bulgaria’s political crises met with mixed success, as some issues were addressed while new ones appeared. A government formed by political rivals ended a nearly ten-month stint of back-to-back caretaker cabinets, opening the door to long-delayed reform. Tensions among institutions, as well as the risk of diverging interests within the alliance, tested these plans.
Nations in Transit 2024 Policy Recommendations
Ensure that Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is soundly defeated.
The future of European democracy and security is now inextricably linked to the fate of Ukraine. European Union (EU) and NATO member states must not only invest far more—and more efficiently—in their collective defense, but also provide Ukraine with the assistance it needs to roll back Russian advances and build a durable democracy of its own.
Support democratic renewal and reform.
In addition to defending the international order from emboldened autocrats, democratic governments must attend to democratic renewal within Europe, particularly among nascent democracies.
Provide consistent messaging and support to Europe’s aspiring democracies.
Military aggression from autocracies in the region has underscored the dangers of exclusion from democracy-based organizations like the EU and NATO, galvanizing the political will of policymakers in aspiring member states and generating further public pressure to undertake long-sought democratic reforms.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Policy & Advocacy
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
74
/ 100
Free
Nations in Transit Score
59
/ 100
Semi-Consolidated Democracy
Population: 6,465,000
Internet Facts
Status
Not Tracked
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
April 4, 2021
Type of Election
Parliamentary
Internet Penetration
66.03%
Election Year
2021
Vulnerability Index
76
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked
