Sofia Population 2024

Sofia's 2024 population is now estimated at 1,287,540In 1950, the population of Sofia was 521,938Sofia experienced a decrease of -574 residents over the past year, marking an annual decline of -0.04%.These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects. These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Sofia, which typically includes Sofia's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.

Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. Not only is it the capital city, but it is the largest by population, with a city population estimated in late 2015 to be 1,260,120.

The city has a long history that makes it very unique, and today, it is home to many commercial businesses, universities, and has been considered one of the best places for startup businesses in the entire world.

Sofia Demographics

The majority of Sofia’s citizens were born in Bulgaria, accounting for almost 88% of the total population. A total of 1.5% are Romani, 0.5% are Turks, while the remainder of people responding to the census belonged to another group or did not declare their affiliation.

The primary religion in Sofia is Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Over 69% were recorded as following this religion according to the 2011 census. Other religions throughout the city include Protestant, Muslim and Roman Catholic. Over one-quarter of residents did not identify their religion or were classified as non-religious.

The unemployment rate in the area is about 6%. Approximately one-third of the residents in Sofia have earned a college degree. The city has a very high literacy rate, with over 99.6% of residents over the age of 9 being literate.

Sofia History

The city of Sofia is the second oldest in Europe, with humans inhabiting it since at least 8 BC, but it is believed that the area has been inhabited for at least 30,000 years. In the 1870s, the city was liberated from the rule of the Ottomans. By the end of the decade, the city was named as the capital. During this time, the population exceeded 11,000.

In the years that followed, the city’s population continued to grow as migrants made their way into the area. In the early 1900s, Sofia was involved in multiple wars. This included the Second Balkan War, and World War II. During World War II, bombings from the US and the UK destroyed thousands of buildings and killed thousands of people. The city was invaded in 1944 by the Soviet Red Army. The next year, Fatherland Front took control.

In the years that followed, Bulgaria became the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, before changing again in 1990 to the Republic of Bulgaria. The city has continued to see growth, both in terms of dwellings and buildings and its population, which has risen because of migration from rural areas.

Sofia Population Growth

The population of Sofia has grown significantly since the census was first taken in the 1870s. The city through each census has recorded growth. Because of the high rate of immigration to the capital city, these numbers are only expected to continue to grow in the years ahead.

Country
Bulgaria
Growth Rate
-0.04%

Sofia Population 2024

Download Table Data

Enter your email below, and you'll receive this table's data in your inbox momentarily.

Year
Population
Growth Rate
Growth
1950521,938
1951539,5043.37%17,566
1952557,6863.37%18,182
1953576,4293.36%18,743
1954595,8283.37%19,399
1955615,8803.37%20,052
1956636,6373.37%20,757
1957655,2572.92%18,620
1958672,3982.62%17,141
1959689,9872.62%17,589
1960708,0612.62%18,074
1961726,5572.61%18,496
1962745,5622.62%19,005
1963765,0652.62%19,503
1964785,1062.62%20,041
1965805,6152.61%20,509
1966823,4202.21%17,805
1967839,2171.92%15,797
1968855,3391.92%16,122
1969871,7261.92%16,387
1970888,4491.92%16,723
1971905,4941.92%17,045
1972922,8891.92%17,395
1973940,5701.92%17,681
1974958,6141.92%18,044
1975977,0041.92%18,390
1976995,7741.92%18,770
19771,014,8501.92%19,076
19781,034,3191.92%19,469
19791,054,1621.92%19,843
19801,074,4141.92%20,252
19811,094,9971.92%20,583
19821,116,0041.92%21,007
19831,137,4141.92%21,410
19841,159,2651.92%21,851
19851,181,4741.92%22,209
19861,192,5580.94%11,084
19871,192,104-0.04%-454
19881,191,649-0.04%-455
19891,191,196-0.04%-453
19901,190,742-0.04%-454
19911,190,289-0.04%-453
19921,189,835-0.04%-454
19931,184,909-0.41%-4,926
19941,176,648-0.7%-8,261
19951,168,445-0.7%-8,203
19961,160,287-0.7%-8,158
19971,152,209-0.7%-8,078
19981,144,176-0.7%-8,033
19991,136,199-0.7%-7,977
20001,128,266-0.7%-7,933
20011,120,411-0.7%-7,855
20021,132,6801.1%12,269
20031,145,9631.17%13,283
20041,157,3681%11,405
20051,168,8540.99%11,486
20061,177,5650.75%8,711
20071,185,4840.67%7,919
20081,195,5780.85%10,094
20091,205,7300.85%10,152
20101,215,9830.85%10,253
20111,226,3230.85%10,340
20121,236,7650.85%10,442
20131,244,7400.64%7,975
20141,250,2280.44%5,488
20151,255,7410.44%5,513
20161,261,2860.44%5,545
20171,266,8400.44%5,554
20181,272,4180.44%5,578
20191,276,9370.36%4,519
20201,280,9680.32%4,031
20211,284,3110.26%3,343
20221,286,7890.19%2,478
20231,288,1140.1%1,325
20241,287,540-0.04%-574
20251,286,460-0.08%-1,080
20261,284,866-0.12%-1,594
20271,283,788-0.08%-1,078
20281,281,225-0.2%-2,563
20291,279,967-0.1%-1,258
20301,278,525-0.11%-1,442
20311,276,894-0.13%-1,631
20321,275,075-0.14%-1,819
20331,273,090-0.16%-1,985
20341,270,987-0.17%-2,103
20351,268,804-0.17%-2,183
showing: 86 rows

Sofia Population Data (Urban Area)

Download Table Data

Enter your email below, and you'll receive this table's data in your inbox momentarily.

Other Cities in Bulgaria