Bulgaria—Male Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #122 of 187Updated April 2026
Latest Value
3.8%
2025
YoY Change
-15.4%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#122
of 187 countries
Maximum
20.9%
2001
Minimum
3.8%
2025
CAGR
-5.8%
26 years
Last
3.8%
Previous
4.4%
Highest
20.9%
Lowest
3.8%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Bulgaria's male unemployment (%) was 3.8% in 2025, ranking #122 out of 187 countries. This represents a -15.4% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 20.9% (2001) and the lowest was 3.8% (2025). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3.8% | -15.4% |
| 2024 | 4.4% | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 4.4% | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 4.3% | -19.3% |
| 2021 | 5.4% | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 5.3% | +20.1% |
| 2019 | 4.5% | -21.7% |
| 2018 | 5.7% | -10.5% |
| 2017 | 6.4% | -21.5% |
| 2016 | 8.1% | -17.2% |
| 2015 | 9.8% | -20.6% |
| 2014 | 12.3% | -11.4% |
| 2013 | 13.9% | +2.8% |
| 2012 | 13.5% | +10.3% |
| 2011 | 12.3% | +12.9% |
| 2010 | 10.9% | +55.5% |
| 2009 | 7.0% | +27.4% |
| 2008 | 5.5% | -16.0% |
| 2007 | 6.5% | -24.6% |
| 2006 | 8.6% | -16.0% |
| 2005 | 10.3% | -17.0% |
| 2004 | 12.4% | -12.7% |
| 2003 | 14.2% | -24.4% |
| 2002 | 18.8% | -10.0% |
| 2001 | 20.9% | +26.0% |
| 2000 | 16.6% |
Top Countries — Male Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eswatini | 32.5% | 2025 |
| 2 | South Africa | 31.0% | 2025 |
| 3 | Djibouti | 21.8% | 2025 |
| 4 | Botswana | 21.5% | 2025 |
| 5 | West Bank and Gaza | 20.2% | 2022 |
| 6 | Namibia | 20.1% | 2025 |
| 7 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 19.5% | 2025 |
| 8 | Congo, Rep. | 18.7% | 2025 |
| 9 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 16.4% | 2025 |
| 10 | Yemen, Rep. | 16.3% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
Methodology
Data compiled by ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 17, 2026.