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Iraq ↑ 54
Austria vs Czechia
Azerbaijan vs Bulgaria
Side-by-side comparison of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
Azerbaijan
Europe & Central Asia · nation age 35 years
Bulgaria
Europe & Central Asia · nation age 1,345 years
In short
Bulgaria scores 55.7 in the NationsTree Index (67th in the world) and Azerbaijan scores 45.7 (105th), a gap of 10.0 points. Their trees are 9.5 m and 9.9 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
Azerbaijan has 59% more people than Bulgaria. Bulgaria has 28% more land area than Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and Bulgaria have economies of similar size (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Azerbaijan 10.2 million and Bulgaria 6.4 million (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $44,451 in Bulgaria and $26,113 in Azerbaijan (2025, international dollars). People in Bulgaria live on average 1.2 years longer (75.8 vs 74.6 years).
Of 34 indicators reported by both countries, Azerbaijan ranks higher in the world on 5 and Bulgaria on 29. Azerbaijan is clearly stronger in military. Bulgaria is clearly stronger in tourism, trade and institutions & safety.
As a nation, Bulgaria is the older of the two (statehood since 681, 1,345 years), compared with Azerbaijan (since 1991). Over the last five years Azerbaijan improved faster (direction score 27 vs 10 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria.
Azerbaijan
51%
188th of 193
Bulgariabetter
94%
66th of 193
Voice & accountabilityInstitutions & safety
Azerbaijan
29.7
182nd of 205
Bulgariabetter
62.7
84th of 205
Government budget balanceEconomy
Azerbaijanbetter
2.6%
21st of 192
Bulgaria
-3.0%
107th of 192
High-tech exportsTrade
Azerbaijan
2.9%
120th of 168
Bulgariabetter
13.4%
53rd of 168
Safely managed drinking waterInfrastructure & digital
Azerbaijan
57.8%
105th of 150
Bulgariabetter
96.2%
48th of 150
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Bulgaria overtook Azerbaijan in GDP (PPP) in 2022 and has stayed ahead since.
Bulgaria overtook Azerbaijan in GDP per person (PPP) in 2014 and has stayed ahead since.
Azerbaijan overtook Bulgaria in population in 2001 and has stayed ahead since.
Bulgaria has been ahead of Azerbaijan in the NationsTree Index in every year since 1996.
Bulgaria has been ahead of Azerbaijan in life expectancy in every year since 1990.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
AzerbaijanBulgaria All indicators
Latest available value for each country with its year and world rank. Green: the better world position of the two, red: the weaker one.
| Indicator | Azerbaijan | Bulgaria |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 86,600116th/216 · 2024 | 111,000105th/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 82,650113th/216 · 2024 | 108,560102nd/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 10.2 m94th/217 · 2025 | 6.4 m111th/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 0.43%145th/217 · 2025 | -0.13%181st/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 123.489th/216 · 2024 | 59.3146th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 58.6%134th/217 · 2025 | 74.2%76th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 21.2%113th/217 · 2025 | 14.4%190th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 9.2%106th/217 · 2025 | 22.2%18th/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $75.94 bn87th/210 · 2025 | $130.78 bn63rd/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $267.57 bn74th/199 · 2025 | $285.97 bn70th/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $228.65 bn73rd/199 · 2025 | $227.26 bn74th/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $7,411117th/210 · 2025 | $20,32874th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $26,11388th/199 · 2025 | $44,45160th/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $7,360109th/201 · 2025 | $17,78073rd/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 1.4%161st/210 · 2025 | 3.1%110th/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 5.6%143rd/180 · 2025 | 4.6%134th/180 · 2025 |
| Unemployment % | 5.5%102nd/187 · 2025 | 3.5%59th/187 · 2025 |
| Central government debt % of GDP | 6.4%2010 | — |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 20.1%18th/189 · 2025 | 29.9%33rd/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | 2.6%21st/192 · 2025 | -3.0%107th/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 5.9%101st/197 · 2025 | 2.5%140th/197 · 2025 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 39.5%17th/200 · 2025 | 21.2%120th/200 · 2025 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 6.0%143rd/192 · 2025 | — |
| Services % of GDP | 45.3%167th/200 · 2025 | 63.3%66th/200 · 2025 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $32.67 bn80th/182 · 2025 | $66.35 bn58th/182 · 2025 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $27.95 bn85th/182 · 2025 | $67.71 bn59th/182 · 2025 |
| Exports % of GDP | 43.0%69th/183 · 2025 | 50.7%51st/183 · 2025 |
| Imports % of GDP | 36.8%111th/183 · 2025 | 51.8%77th/183 · 2025 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 79.8%95th/183 · 2025 | 102.5%58th/183 · 2025 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 85.9%7th/170 · 2025 | 7.3%62nd/170 · 2025 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 5.3%151st/171 · 2025 | 54.3%64th/171 · 2025 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 5.2%140th/171 · 2025 | 16.2%86th/171 · 2025 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 1.5%118th/171 · 2025 | 15.4%32nd/171 · 2025 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 2.9%120th/168 · 2024 | 13.4%53rd/168 · 2024 |
| Current account balance % of GDP | 4.6%41st/191 · 2025 | -6.1%153rd/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | 0.5%157th/196 · 2025 | 3.7%57th/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 29.9%11th/209 · 2021 | 0.9%119th/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 20.98%9th/197 · 2021 | 0.02%97th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 8.59%7th/197 · 2021 | 0.01%87th/197 · 2021 |
| Coal rents % of GDP | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 | 0.13%28th/195 · 2021 |
| Mineral rents % of GDP | 0.35%58th/209 · 2021 | 0.59%52nd/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 0.02%142nd/209 · 2021 | 0.17%97th/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 25.3%38th/206 · 2024 | 32.2%25th/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 800138th/183 · 2022 | 3,24878th/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 796,000107th/194 · 2020 | 5.0 m38th/194 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $340.0 m105th/175 · 2020 | $1.79 bn53rd/175 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 2.2%125th/168 · 2020 | 4.4%90th/168 · 2020 |
| Outbound trips departures | 1.2 m63rd/107 · 2020 | 4.0 m33rd/107 · 2020 |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 74.6112th/217 · 2024 | 75.8101st/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 17.9117th/196 · 2024 | 5.747th/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 3.1955th/174 · 2022 | 4.3323rd/174 · 2022 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 3.745th/145 · 2023 | 8.25th/145 · 2023 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 51%188th/193 · 2024 | 94%66th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 98.2%17th/153 · 2023 | 97.0%20th/153 · 2023 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 91.1%97th/173 · 2024 | 94.8%81st/173 · 2024 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | 64.6%2015 | 73.6%2007 |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 13.2%106th/217 · 2025 | 35.1%19th/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 4.3%149th/193 · 2023 | 7.9%64th/193 · 2023 |
| Adult literacy % | 99.8%8th/98 · 2023 | 98.3%2011 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 41.3%94th/150 · 2024 | 69.5%50th/150 · 2024 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.78981st/193 · 2023 | 0.84555th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 26.62005 | 39.584th/108 · 2023 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 0.0%2005 | 1.0%50th/108 · 2023 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 100.0%1st/215 · 2024 | 100.0%1st/215 · 2024 |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population | 57.8%105th/150 · 2024 | 96.2%48th/150 · 2024 |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population | 68.0%67th/144 · 2024 | 75.7%56th/144 · 2024 |
| Internet users % of population | 90.8%53rd/186 · 2025 | 82.4%93rd/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 110120th/210 · 2024 | 11897th/210 · 2024 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 21.883rd/208 · 2024 | 37.036th/208 · 2023 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 2.712014 | 3.1051st/164 · 2022 |
| Rail lines route-km | 2,13951st/82 · 2021 | 4,03132nd/82 · 2021 |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 2.6 m74th/161 · 2023 | 723,825108th/161 · 2023 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 3.81129th/203 · 2024 | 5.31155th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 1.3%184th/212 · 2021 | 20.4%105th/212 · 2021 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 23.7137th/200 · 2023 | 19.7114th/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 14.6%145th/214 · 2024 | 36.4%92nd/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | 1,73266th/149 · 2024 | 2,60841st/149 · 2024 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 54.998th/205 · 2025 | 54.997th/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 32.3155th/207 · 2025 | 42.2114th/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 51.1130th/207 · 2025 | 57.9101st/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 64.0123rd/207 · 2025 | 69.994th/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 56.489th/205 · 2025 | 61.369th/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 29.7182nd/205 · 2025 | 62.784th/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 2.270th/145 · 2023 | 1.145th/145 · 2023 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $4.94 bn50th/156 · 2025 | $2.59 bn61st/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 6.5%8th/156 · 2025 | 2.0%65th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 17.7%13th/154 · 2025 | 5.2%75th/154 · 2025 |
| Armed forces personnel people | 82,00055th/170 · 2020 | 37,00082nd/170 · 2020 |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 1.58%39th/168 · 2020 | 1.18%55th/168 · 2020 |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 463.0 m22nd/163 · 2025 | 540.0 m19th/163 · 2025 |
| Arms exports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 2.0 m56th/65 · 2023 | 33.0 m38th/65 · 2024 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | 0.21%84th/110 · 2024 | 0.79%48th/110 · 2023 |
| Patent applications by residents applications | 19462nd/137 · 2024 | 17963rd/137 · 2024 |
| Scientific articles articles | 1,54479th/197 · 2023 | 4,99861st/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, Azerbaijan or Bulgaria?
Azerbaijan has the larger population: 10.2 m (2025) compared with 6.4 m for Bulgaria (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, Azerbaijan or Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is larger: 111,000 km² (2024) compared with 86,600 km² for Azerbaijan (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, Azerbaijan or Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $285.97 bn intl. (2025) compared with $267.57 bn intl. for Azerbaijan (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, Azerbaijan or Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $44,451 intl. (2025) compared with $26,113 intl. for Azerbaijan (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in Azerbaijan or Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has the higher life expectancy at birth: 75.8 years (2024) compared with 74.6 years for Azerbaijan (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which spends more on the military, Azerbaijan or Bulgaria?
Azerbaijan spends more on the military: $4.94 bn (2025) compared with $2.59 bn for Bulgaria (2025). Source: World Bank, MS.MIL.XPND.CD.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, Azerbaijan or Bulgaria?
Bulgaria: 55.7 points (67th in the world); Azerbaijan: 45.7 points (105th). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Belarus
Serbia
Slovakia
FinlandSources
World Bank World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators, compiling UN agencies, the IMF, WHO, SIPRI and national statistical offices; every row links to its world ranking with the source series. See Sources & licences and Methodology.
Cite as: NationsTree (2026). Azerbaijan vs Bulgaria — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/azerbaijan-vs-bulgaria. Data as of 26 October 2026.