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Austria vs Czechia
Belarus vs Bulgaria
Side-by-side comparison of Belarus and Bulgaria from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
Belarus
Europe & Central Asia · nation age 1,144 years
Bulgaria
Europe & Central Asia · nation age 1,345 years
In short
Belarus scores 58.1 in the NationsTree Index (61st in the world) and Bulgaria scores 55.7 (67th), a gap of 2.5 points. Their trees are 11 m and 9.9 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
Belarus has 41% more people than Bulgaria. Belarus has 87% more land area than Bulgaria. The economy of Belarus is 10% larger than that of Bulgaria (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Belarus 9.1 million and Bulgaria 6.4 million (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $44,451 in Bulgaria and $34,716 in Belarus (2025, international dollars). People in Bulgaria live on average 1.4 years longer (75.8 vs 74.4 years).
Of 34 indicators reported by both countries, Belarus ranks higher in the world on 11 and Bulgaria on 23. Belarus is clearly stronger in main industries. Bulgaria is clearly stronger in institutions & safety and tourism.
As a nation, Bulgaria is the older of the two (statehood since 681, 1,345 years), compared with Belarus (since 882). Over the last five years Belarus improved faster (direction score 19 vs 10 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between Belarus and Bulgaria.
Belarus
33.8
186th of 205
Bulgariabetter
61.3
69th of 205
Voice & accountabilityInstitutions & safety
Belarus
25.8
193rd of 205
Bulgariabetter
62.7
84th of 205
Government budget balanceEconomy
Belarusbetter
0.1%
36th of 192
Bulgaria
-3.0%
107th of 192
Internet usersInfrastructure & digital
Belarusbetter
94.3%
33rd of 186
Bulgaria
82.4%
93rd of 186
Air pollution (PM2.5)Environment & energy
Belarusbetter
12.0
60th of 200
Bulgaria
19.7
114th of 200
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Belarus overtook Bulgaria in the NationsTree Index in 2025, the latest year with data.
Bulgaria overtook Belarus in life expectancy in 2022 and has stayed ahead since.
Bulgaria overtook Belarus in GDP per person (PPP) in 2015 and has stayed ahead since.
Belarus overtook Bulgaria in GDP (PPP) in 1999 and has stayed ahead since.
Belarus has been ahead of Bulgaria in population in every year since 1990.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
BelarusBulgaria 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 | Belarus | Bulgaria |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 207,62985th/216 · 2024 | 111,000105th/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 202,97684th/216 · 2024 | 108,560102nd/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 9.1 m99th/217 · 2025 | 6.4 m111th/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | -0.51%200th/217 · 2025 | -0.13%181st/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 45.0159th/216 · 2024 | 59.3146th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 79.5%60th/217 · 2025 | 74.2%76th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 15.9%168th/217 · 2025 | 14.4%190th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 18.3%47th/217 · 2025 | 22.2%18th/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $93.40 bn80th/210 · 2025 | $130.78 bn63rd/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $315.43 bn65th/199 · 2025 | $285.97 bn70th/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $269.55 bn65th/199 · 2025 | $227.26 bn74th/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $10,279104th/210 · 2025 | $20,32874th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $34,71674th/199 · 2025 | $44,45160th/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $9,16097th/201 · 2025 | $17,78073rd/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 1.3%165th/210 · 2025 | 3.1%110th/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 6.6%146th/180 · 2025 | 4.6%134th/180 · 2025 |
| Unemployment % | 3.4%55th/187 · 2025 | 3.5%59th/187 · 2025 |
| Central government debt % of GDP | 33.2%2019 | — |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 31.3%38th/189 · 2025 | 29.9%33rd/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | 0.1%36th/192 · 2025 | -3.0%107th/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 6.9%92nd/197 · 2025 | 2.5%140th/197 · 2025 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 31.6%47th/200 · 2025 | 21.2%120th/200 · 2025 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 20.5%17th/192 · 2025 | — |
| Services % of GDP | 50.0%145th/200 · 2025 | 63.3%66th/200 · 2025 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $51.44 bn64th/182 · 2025 | $66.35 bn58th/182 · 2025 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $53.26 bn67th/182 · 2025 | $67.71 bn59th/182 · 2025 |
| Exports % of GDP | 55.1%43rd/183 · 2025 | 50.7%51st/183 · 2025 |
| Imports % of GDP | 57.0%59th/183 · 2025 | 51.8%77th/183 · 2025 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 112.1%47th/183 · 2025 | 102.5%58th/183 · 2025 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 12.6%2020 | 7.3%62nd/170 · 2025 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 38.4%79th/171 · 2021 | 54.3%64th/171 · 2025 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 16.6%85th/171 · 2021 | 16.2%86th/171 · 2025 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 1.1%130th/171 · 2021 | 15.4%32nd/171 · 2025 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 6.0%90th/168 · 2021 | 13.4%53rd/168 · 2024 |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -1.9%99th/191 · 2025 | -6.1%153rd/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | 1.8%114th/196 · 2025 | 3.7%57th/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 1.9%99th/209 · 2021 | 0.9%119th/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 0.81%47th/197 · 2021 | 0.02%97th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 0.04%69th/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 | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 | 0.59%52nd/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 1.01%54th/209 · 2021 | 0.17%97th/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 27.2%35th/206 · 2024 | 32.2%25th/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 3,68473rd/183 · 2022 | 3,24878th/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 3.6 m48th/194 · 2020 | 5.0 m38th/194 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $542.0 m95th/175 · 2020 | $1.79 bn53rd/175 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 1.5%140th/168 · 2020 | 4.4%90th/168 · 2020 |
| Outbound trips departures | 2.8 m43rd/107 · 2020 | 4.0 m33rd/107 · 2020 |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 74.4114th/217 · 2024 | 75.8101st/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 2.34th/196 · 2024 | 5.747th/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 4.7212th/174 · 2023 | 4.3323rd/174 · 2022 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 9.83rd/145 · 2023 | 8.25th/145 · 2023 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 98%20th/193 · 2024 | 94%66th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 98.2%2019 | 97.0%20th/153 · 2023 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 94.8%80th/173 · 2024 | 94.8%81st/173 · 2024 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | 71.8%15th/55 · 2019 | 73.6%2007 |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 27.8%49th/217 · 2025 | 35.1%19th/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 7.1%83rd/193 · 2023 | 7.9%64th/193 · 2023 |
| Adult literacy % | 99.9%2019 | 98.3%2011 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 70.1%48th/150 · 2024 | 69.5%50th/150 · 2024 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.82465th/193 · 2023 | 0.84555th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 24.42020 | 39.584th/108 · 2023 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 0.0%2020 | 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 | 93.1%56th/150 · 2024 | 96.2%48th/150 · 2024 |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population | 74.4%59th/144 · 2024 | 75.7%56th/144 · 2024 |
| Internet users % of population | 94.3%33rd/186 · 2024 | 82.4%93rd/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 13155th/210 · 2024 | 11897th/210 · 2024 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 36.339th/208 · 2024 | 37.036th/208 · 2023 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 2.7071st/164 · 2022 | 3.1051st/164 · 2022 |
| Rail lines route-km | 5,47426th/82 · 2021 | 4,03132nd/82 · 2021 |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 1.3 m91st/161 · 2023 | 723,825108th/161 · 2023 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 5.94161st/203 · 2024 | 5.31155th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 8.2%157th/212 · 2021 | 20.4%105th/212 · 2021 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 12.060th/200 · 2023 | 19.7114th/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 44.1%69th/214 · 2024 | 36.4%92nd/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | 2,96536th/149 · 2024 | 2,60841st/149 · 2024 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 36.0166th/205 · 2025 | 54.997th/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 36.5139th/207 · 2025 | 42.2114th/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 38.4183rd/207 · 2025 | 57.9101st/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 62.6130th/207 · 2025 | 69.994th/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 33.8186th/205 · 2025 | 61.369th/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 25.8193rd/205 · 2025 | 62.784th/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 2.475th/145 · 2019 | 1.145th/145 · 2023 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $1.94 bn67th/156 · 2025 | $2.59 bn61st/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 2.4%44th/156 · 2025 | 2.0%65th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 5.7%66th/154 · 2025 | 5.2%75th/154 · 2025 |
| Armed forces personnel people | 158,00038th/170 · 2020 | 37,00082nd/170 · 2020 |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 3.17%16th/168 · 2020 | 1.18%55th/168 · 2020 |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 466.0 m21st/163 · 2025 | 540.0 m19th/163 · 2025 |
| Arms exports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 1.0 m61st/65 · 2025 | 33.0 m38th/65 · 2024 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | 0.59%60th/110 · 2024 | 0.79%48th/110 · 2023 |
| Patent applications by residents applications | 25658th/137 · 2024 | 17963rd/137 · 2024 |
| Scientific articles articles | 1,42981st/197 · 2023 | 4,99861st/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, Belarus or Bulgaria?
Belarus has the larger population: 9.1 m (2025) compared with 6.4 m for Bulgaria (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, Belarus or Bulgaria?
Belarus is larger: 207,629 km² (2024) compared with 111,000 km² for Bulgaria (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, Belarus or Bulgaria?
Belarus has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $315.43 bn intl. (2025) compared with $285.97 bn intl. for Bulgaria (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, Belarus or Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $44,451 intl. (2025) compared with $34,716 intl. for Belarus (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in Belarus or Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has the higher life expectancy at birth: 75.8 years (2024) compared with 74.4 years for Belarus (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which spends more on the military, Belarus or Bulgaria?
Bulgaria spends more on the military: $2.59 bn (2025) compared with $1.94 bn for Belarus (2025). Source: World Bank, MS.MIL.XPND.CD.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, Belarus or Bulgaria?
Belarus: 58.1 points (61st in the world); Bulgaria: 55.7 points (67th). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Azerbaijan
Finland
Slovakia
SerbiaSources
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). Belarus vs Bulgaria — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/belarus-vs-bulgaria. Data as of 26 October 2026.