Monthly inflation in Bulgaria rose to 0.9% in March 2026 and annual inflation reached 4.1%, according to National Statistical Institute (NSI) data. Price growth accelerated from February, when monthly inflation was 0.4% and annual inflation stood at 3.3%.
Since the start of the year (March 2026 compared with December 2025), inflation totalled 1.9%.
The figures exceeded the NSI’s flash estimate, which had pointed to monthly inflation of 0.7% and annual inflation of 3.9%.
The preliminary estimate for February was 0.3% month-on-month and 3.3% year-on-year, while the final figures were 0.4% and 3.3%, respectively. Based on flash estimates, the year began with expected monthly inflation of 0.7% and annual inflation of 3.6%, while final NSI data showed that in January 2026 monthly inflation was 0.6% and annual inflation was 3.5%.
According to the consumer price index in March 2026, prices of goods and services increased in the following groups: Transport (7.2%); Alcoholic beverages and tobacco (0.8%); Information and communication (0.8%); Restaurant and accommodation services (0.7%); Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (0.7%); Personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services (0.7%); Food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.5%); Health (0.5%); and Education services (0.1%).
Prices of goods and services were lower in the following groups: Recreation, sport and culture, down 2%; Clothing and footwear, down 0.9%; Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, down 0.2%.
Prices in the Insurance and financial services group were unchanged.
Accumulated inflation measured by the consumer price index over the past three years (March 2026 compared with March 2023) was 11.5%, and over the past five years (March 2026 compared with March 2021) it was 42.9%.
In March 2026, the monthly change in the small basket price index was 0.3%, and the annual change in March 2026 compared with March 2025 was 2.7%. Prices of goods and services in the small basket for the lowest-income 20% of households changed from the previous month as follows: services rose by 0.6%; food products rose by 0.4%.
Prices of goods in the group non-food goods were unchanged.