According to the flash estimates of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) published on the Institute’s website on Wednesday, in April 2026, the monthly inflation rate is expected to be 2.0% and the annual inflation rate is expected to be 7.1%.
At the end of last month, NSI announced that the expected monthly inflation rate for March would be 0.7% and the annual rate 3.9%. The final data, released by the NSI in mid-April, show monthly inflation in March at 0.9% and annual inflation at 4.1%.
NSI first released data on flash inflation on February 3. It provides early information on inflation rates prior to the publication of final and detailed statistical data, allowing Bulgaria to now compare itself on this indicator with the other EUR 20 area countries, having joined the monetary union on January 1 of this year.
NSI data shows that flash inflation in February was 0.3% on a monthly basis and 3.3% on an annual basis, while the January figures were 0.7% and 3.6%, respectively. The discrepancy between flash inflation and the final figure is minimal, according to national statistics.
According to NSI’s final data, monthly inflation in February was 0.4% and annual inflation was 3.3%, while in January the figures were 0.6% and 3.5%, respectively.
In April 2026, compared to the previous month, the following groups are expected to have the highest increase: Transport (10.6%), Clothing and footwear (7.9%), Food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.1%) and Alcoholic beverages, tobacco (0.8%). A decrease is expected in the group: Recreation, sport and culture (-1.5%).
According to the flash estimates of NSI, in April 2026, the monthly rate, measured by the Price Index of a Small Basket (PISB), is expected to be 1.7% and the annual rate is expected to be 4.7%. In April 2026, compared to the previous month, the prices of goods and services in the small basket for the 20% of households with the lowest income are expected to have an increase of: 2.4% for Food products; 1.8% for Non-food products; and 0.1% for Services.