{"name": "Bulgaria", "code": "BU", "publish_date": "January 02, 2019", "html": "<div class='wfb-text-box'><div class=\"region1 geos_title eur_dark\"><strong>Europe ::Bulgaria</strong></div><ul class='expandcollapse'><li id='introduction-category-section-anchor'><div class='question eur_med' sectiontitle='Introduction'ccode='bu'>Introduction ::<span class='region'>Bulgaria</span></div></li><li id='introduction-category-section'><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-introduction-background\">Background:</div><div id=\"field-background\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.</div></div></li><li id='geography-category-section-anchor'><div class='question eur_med' sectiontitle='Geography'ccode='bu'>Geography ::<span class='region'>Bulgaria</span></div></li><li id='geography-category-section'><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-location\">Location:</div><div id=\"field-location\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geographic-coordinates\">Geographic coordinates:</div><div id=\"field-geographic-coordinates\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>43 00 N, 25 00 E</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-map-references\">Map references:</div><div id=\"field-map-references\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Europe</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area\">Area:</div><div id=\"field-area\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">110,879 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">108,489 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">water:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2,390 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>106</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area-comparative\">Area - comparative:</div><div id=\"field-area-comparative\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>almost identical in size to Virginia; slightly larger than Tennessee</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-boundaries\">Land boundaries:</div><div id=\"field-land-boundaries\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,806 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">border countries (5):</span>Greece 472 km, Macedonia 162 km, Romania 605 km, Serbia 344 km, Turkey 223 km</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-coastline\">Coastline:</div><div id=\"field-coastline\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">354 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-maritime-claims\">Maritime claims:</div><div id=\"field-maritime-claims\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">territorial sea:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">12</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">exclusive economic zone:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">200</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">contiguous zone:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">24</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-climate\">Climate:</div><div id=\"field-climate\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-terrain\">Terrain:</div><div id=\"field-terrain\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-elevation\">Elevation:</div><div id=\"field-elevation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">mean elevation:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">472 m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elevation extremes:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">lowest point: Black Sea</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\">2925 highest point: Musala</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-resources\">Natural resources:</div><div id=\"field-natural-resources\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-use\">Land use:</div><div id=\"field-land-use\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agricultural land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">46.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">arable land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">29.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent crops:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent pasture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">15.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">forest:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">36.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">other:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">16.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-irrigated-land\">Irrigated land:</div><div id=\"field-irrigated-land\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,020 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-population-distribution\">Population distribution:</div><div id=\"field-population-distribution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger populations</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-hazards\">Natural hazards:</div><div id=\"field-natural-hazards\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>earthquakes; landslides</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-environment-current-issues\">Environment - current issues:</div><div id=\"field-environment-current-issues\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-environment-international-agreements\">Environment - international agreements:</div><div id=\"field-environment-international-agreements\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">party to:</span>Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">signed, but not ratified:</span>none of the selected agreements</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geography-note\">Geography - note:</div><div id=\"field-geography-note\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia</div></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section-anchor'><div class='question eur_med' sectiontitle='People and Society'ccode='bu'>People and Society ::<span class='region'>Bulgaria</span></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section'><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population\">Population:</div><div id=\"field-population\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">7,057,504</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2018\">(July 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>104</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-nationality\">Nationality:</div><div id=\"field-nationality\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">noun:</span>Bulgarian(s)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">adjective:</span>Bulgarian</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-ethnic-groups\">Ethnic groups:</div><div id=\"field-ethnic-groups\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Bulgarian 76.9%, Turkish 8%, Romani 4.4%, other 0.7% (including Russian, Armenian, and Vlach), other (unknown) 10% (2011 est.)</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong>Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 9–11% of Bulgaria's population</p></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-languages\">Languages:</div><div id=\"field-languages\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Bulgarian (official) 76.8%, Turkish 8.2%, Romani 3.8%, other 0.7%, unspecified 10.5%<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011 est.\">(2011 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-religions\">Religions:</div><div id=\"field-religions\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Eastern Orthodox 59.4%, Muslim 7.8%, other (including Catholic, Protestant, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox, and Jewish) 1.7%, none 3.7%, unspecified 27.4%<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011 est.\">(2011 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-age-structure\">Age structure:</div><div id=\"field-age-structure\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">0-14 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">14.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 530,219 /female 500,398)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">15-24 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">9.43%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 346,588 /female 318,645)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">25-54 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">43.12%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 1,565,770 /female 1,477,719)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">55-64 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">13.3%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 442,083 /female 496,888)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">65 years and over:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.54%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 557,237 /female 821,957)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data attachment\"><span class=\"subfield-name\">population pyramid:</span><a data-toggle=\"modal\" href=\"#imageModal3610\" class='category_image_link'><img alt=\"population pyramid\" src=\"/attachments/images/thumb/BU_popgraph.bmp?1538604940\" /></a><div class=\"modal fade cntryModal\" id=\"imageModal3610\" role=\"dialog\" aria-label='modal dialog used to display image(s) associated with a field' aria-labelledby='imageModalLabel'><div class=\"wfb-modal-dialog\"><div class=\"modal-content\"><div class=\"wfb-modal-header\">	<span class=\"modal-title wfb-title\">The World Factbook</span><span class='sr-only' id='imageModalLabel'>Field Image Modal</span>	<span style=\"float: right; margin-top: -4px;\">	<button type=\"button\" class=\"close\" title=\"close\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">×</button>	</span></div><div class=\"wfb-modal-body\">	<div class=\"region1 geos_title eur_dark\"> 	Europe <strong>::</strong>	<span class=\"region_name1 countryName\">Bulgaria</span><span class=\"btn-print\"><a href=\"/attachments/images/large/BU_popgraph.bmp?1538604940\"><i class=\"fa fa-print\" aria-hidden='true'></i><span class='sr-only'>Print</span></a></span>	</div>	<div class=\"eur_bkgrnd\">	<div class=\"modalImageBox\">	<img class=\"eur_lgflagborder\"		 src=\"/attachments/images/large/BU_popgraph.bmp?1538604940\" alt=\"population pyramid\">	</div>	<div class=\"modalImageDesc\">	<div class=\"header\"		 style=\"background-image: url(/images/eur_medium.jpg)\">	Image Description	</div>	<div class=\"photogallery_captiontext\">	This is the population pyramid for Bulgaria. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. <br/><br/>For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.	</div>	</div>	</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-dependency-ratios\">Dependency ratios:</div><div id=\"field-dependency-ratios\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">51.7</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">youth dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elderly dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">30.5</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">potential support ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.3</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-median-age\">Median age:</div><div id=\"field-median-age\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">43 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">41.2 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">44.9 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>22</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population-growth-rate\">Population growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-population-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-0.63%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>225</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-birth-rate\">Birth rate:</div><div id=\"field-birth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">8.5 births/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>215</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-death-rate\">Death rate:</div><div id=\"field-death-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">14.5 deaths/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>4</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-net-migration-rate\">Net migration rate:</div><div id=\"field-net-migration-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>114</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population-distribution\">Population distribution:</div><div id=\"field-population-distribution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger populations</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-urbanization\">Urbanization:</div><div id=\"field-urbanization\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">75% of total population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rate of urbanization:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">-0.22% annual rate of change</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2015-20 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-major-urban-areas-population\">Major urban areas - population:</div><div id=\"field-major-urban-areas-population\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>1.272 million SOFIA (capital)<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-sex-ratio\">Sex ratio:</div><div id=\"field-sex-ratio\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">at birth:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.06 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">0-14 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.06 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">15-24 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.09 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">25-54 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.06 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">55-64 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.88 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">65 years and over:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.69 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.95 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-mother-s-mean-age-at-first-birth\">Mother&#39;s mean age at first birth:</div><div id=\"field-mother-s-mean-age-at-first-birth\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">26.7 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-maternal-mortality-rate\">Maternal mortality rate:</div><div id=\"field-maternal-mortality-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">11 deaths/100,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>144</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-infant-mortality-rate\">Infant mortality rate:</div><div id=\"field-infant-mortality-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">8.3 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">9.3 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">7.2 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>148</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-life-expectancy-at-birth\">Life expectancy at birth:</div><div id=\"field-life-expectancy-at-birth\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">74.8 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">71.5 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">78.3 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>119</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-total-fertility-rate\">Total fertility rate:</div><div id=\"field-total-fertility-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.47 children born/woman</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>201</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-health-expenditures\">Health expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-health-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">8.4% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>48</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-physicians-density\">Physicians density:</div><div id=\"field-physicians-density\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">4 physicians/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hospital-bed-density\">Hospital bed density:</div><div id=\"field-hospital-bed-density\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">6.8 beds/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-drinking-water-source\">Drinking water source:</div><div id=\"field-drinking-water-source\"><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>improved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">99.6% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">99% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">99.4% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>unimproved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.4% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.6% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-sanitation-facility-access\">Sanitation facility access:</div><div id=\"field-sanitation-facility-access\"><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>improved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">86.8% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">83.7% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">86% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>unimproved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">13.2% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">16.3% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">14% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate\">HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">&lt;.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-people-living-with-hiv-aids\">HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-people-living-with-hiv-aids\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2,800</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>124</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-deaths\">HIV/AIDS - deaths:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-deaths\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">&lt;100</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-obesity-adult-prevalence-rate\">Obesity - adult prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-obesity-adult-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">25%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>53</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-education-expenditures\">Education expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-education-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">4.1% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>106</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-literacy\">Literacy:</div><div id=\"field-literacy\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">definition:</span>age 15 and over can read and write<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015 est.\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">98.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">98.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">98.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-school-life-expectancy-primary-to-tertiary-education\">School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):</div><div id=\"field-school-life-expectancy-primary-to-tertiary-education\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">15 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">15 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">15 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-unemployment-youth-ages-15-24\">Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:</div><div id=\"field-unemployment-youth-ages-15-24\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">17.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">17.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">16.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>77</span></div></div></li><li id='government-category-section-anchor'><div class='question eur_med' sectiontitle='Government'ccode='bu'>Government ::<span class='region'>Bulgaria</span></div></li><li id='government-category-section'><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-country-name\">Country name:</div><div id=\"field-country-name\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional long form:</span>Republic of Bulgaria</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional short form:</span>Bulgaria</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">local long form:</span>Republika Bulgaria</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">local short form:</span>Bulgaria</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">former:</span>Kingdom of Bulgaria, People's Repulic of Bulgaria</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">etymology:</span>named after the Bulgar tribes who settled the lower Balkan region in the 7th century A.D.</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-government-type\">Government type:</div><div id=\"field-government-type\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>parliamentary republic</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-capital\">Capital:</div><div id=\"field-capital\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">name:</span>Sofia</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">geographic coordinates:</span>42 41 N, 23 19 E</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">time difference:</span>UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">daylight saving time:</span>+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-administrative-divisions\">Administrative divisions:</div><div id=\"field-administrative-divisions\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Haskovo, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Sofia-Grad (Sofia City), Stara Zagora, Targovishte, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-independence\">Independence:</div><div id=\"field-independence\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire)</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-holiday\">National holiday:</div><div id=\"field-national-holiday\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Liberation Day, 3 March (1878)</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-constitution\">Constitution:</div><div id=\"field-constitution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">history:</span>several previous; latest drafted between late 1990 and early 1991, adopted 13 July 1991<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">amendments:</span>proposed by the National Assembly or by the president of the republic; passage requires three-fourths majority vote of National Assembly members in three ballots; signed by the National Assembly chairperson; note - under special circumstances, a \"Grand National Assembly\" is elected with the authority to write a new constitution and amend certain articles of the constitution, including those affecting basic civil rights and national sovereignty; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote in each of several readings; amended several times, last in 2015<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-legal-system\">Legal system:</div><div id=\"field-legal-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>civil law</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-international-law-organization-participation\">International law organization participation:</div><div id=\"field-international-law-organization-participation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-citizenship\">Citizenship:</div><div id=\"field-citizenship\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">citizenship by birth:</span>no</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">citizenship by descent only:</span>at least one parent must be a citizen of Bulgaria</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">dual citizenship recognized:</span>yes</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">residency requirement for naturalization:</span>5 years</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-suffrage\">Suffrage:</div><div id=\"field-suffrage\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>18 years of age; universal</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-judicial-branch\">Judicial branch:</div><div id=\"field-judicial-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">highest courts:</span>Supreme Court of Cassation (consists of a chairman and approximately 72 judges organized into penal, civil, and commercial colleges); Supreme Administrative Court (organized in 2 colleges with various panels of 5 judges each); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 justices); note - Constitutional Court resides outside the judiciary</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">judge selection and term of office:</span>Supreme Court of Cassation and Supreme Administrative judges elected by the Supreme Judicial Council or SJC (consists of 25 members with extensive legal experience) and appointed by the president; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Constitutional Court justices elected by the National Assembly and appointed by the president and the SJC; justices appointed for 9-year terms with renewal of 4 justices every 3 years</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subordinate courts:</span>appeals courts; regional and district courts; administrative courts; courts martial</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-executive-branch\">Executive branch:</div><div id=\"field-executive-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chief of state:</span>President Rumen RADEV (since 22 January 2017); Vice President Iliana IOTOVA (since 22 January 2017)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">head of government:</span>Prime Minister Boyko BORISSOV (since 4 May 2017); note - BORISSOV served 2 previous terms as prime minister (27 July 2009-13 March 2013 and 7 November 2014-27 January 2017)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">cabinet:</span>Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elections/appointments:</span>president and vice president elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 and 13 November 2016 (next to be held in fall 2021); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">election results:</span>Rumen RADEV elected president in second round; percent of vote - Rumen RADEV (independent, supported by Bulgarian Socialist Party) 59.4%, Tsetska TSACHEVA (GERB) 36.2%, neither 4.5%; Boyko BORISSOV (GERB) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 133 to 100</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-legislative-branch\">Legislative branch:</div><div id=\"field-legislative-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">description:</span>unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sabranie (240 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elections:</span>last held on 26 March 2017 (next to be held spring 2021)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">election results:</span>percent of vote by party/coalition - GERB 32.7%, BSP 27.2%, United Patriots 9.1%, DPS 9%, Volya 4.2%, other 17.8%; seats by party/coalition - GERB 95, BSP 80, United Patriots 27, DPS 26, Volya 12; composition - men 183, women 57, percent of women 23.8%</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-political-parties-and-leaders\">Political parties and leaders:</div><div id=\"field-political-parties-and-leaders\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Alternative for Bulgarian Revival or ABV [Rumen PETKOV]<br>Attack (Ataka) [Volen Nikolov SIDEROV]<br>Bulgarian Agrarian People’s Union [Nikolay NENCHEV]<br>Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Korneliya NINOVA]<br>Bulgaria of the Citizens or DBG [Dimiter DELCHEV]]<br>Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB [Boyko BORISSOV]<br>Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Atanas ATANASOV]<br>Democrats for Responsibility, Solidarity, and Tolerance or DOST [Lyutvi MESTAN]<br>IMRO - Bulgarian National Movement or IMRO-BNM [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]<br>Movement for Rights and Freedoms or DPS [Mustafa KARADAYI]<br>National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria or NFSB [Valeri SIMEONOV]<br>Reformist Bloc or RB (a four-party alliance including DBG and SDS)<br>United Patriots (alliance of IMRO-BNM, NFSB, and Attack)<br>Union of Democratic Forces or SDS [Bozhidar LUKARSKI]<br>Yes! Bulgaria [Hristo IVANOV]<br>Volya [Veselin MARESHKI]</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-international-organization-participation\">International organization participation:</div><div id=\"field-international-organization-participation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EU, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-diplomatic-representation-in-the-us\">Diplomatic representation in the US:</div><div id=\"field-diplomatic-representation-in-the-us\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chief of mission:</span>Ambassador Tihomir Anguelov STOYTCHEV (since 27 June 2016)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chancery:</span>1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">telephone:</span>[1] (202) 387-0174</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">FAX:</span>[1] (202) 234-7973</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">consulate(s) general:</span>Chicago, Los Angeles, New York</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-diplomatic-representation-from-the-us\">Diplomatic representation from the US:</div><div id=\"field-diplomatic-representation-from-the-us\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chief of mission:</span>Ambassador Eric Seth RUBIN (since 24 February 2016)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">embassy:</span>16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1408</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">mailing address:</span>American Embassy Sofia, US Department of State, 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">telephone:</span>[359] (2) 937-5100</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">FAX:</span>[359] (2) 937-5320</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-flag-description\">Flag description:</div><div id=\"field-flag-description\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the pan-Slavic white-blue-red colors were modified by substituting a green band (representing freedom) for the blue</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed</p></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-symbol-s\">National symbol(s):</div><div id=\"field-national-symbol-s\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>lion; national colors: white, green, red</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-anthem\">National anthem:</div><div id=\"field-national-anthem\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">name:</span>\"Mila Rodino\" (Dear Homeland)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">lyrics/music:</span>Tsvetan Tsvetkov RADOSLAVOV</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> adopted 1964; composed in 1885 by a student en route to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War</p></div><div class=\"category_data attachment\"><audio type=\"audio/mp3\" controls=\"controls\" alt=\"National Anthem audio file for Bulgaria\" src=\"/attachments/audios/original/BU.mp3?1538604751\"></audio></div></div></li><li id='economy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question eur_med' sectiontitle='Economy'ccode='bu'>Economy ::<span class='region'>Bulgaria</span></div></li><li id='economy-category-section'><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-economy-overview\">Economy - overview:</div><div id=\"field-economy-overview\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><p>Bulgaria, a former communist country that entered the EU in 2007, has an open economy that historically has demonstrated strong growth, but its per-capita income remains the lowest among EU members and its reliance on energy imports and foreign demand for its exports makes its growth sensitive to external market conditions.</p><p></p><p>The government undertook significant structural economic reforms in the 1990s to move the economy from a centralized, planned economy to a more liberal, market-driven economy. These reforms included privatization of state-owned enterprises, liberalization of trade, and strengthening of the tax system - changes that initially caused some economic hardships but later helped to attract investment, spur growth, and make gradual improvements to living conditions. From 2000 through 2008, Bulgaria maintained robust, average annual real GDP growth in excess of 6%, which was followed by a deep recession in 2009 as the financial crisis caused domestic demand, exports, capital inflows and industrial production to contract, prompting the government to rein in spending. Real GDP growth remained slow - less than 2% annually - until 2015, when demand from EU countries for Bulgarian exports, plus an inflow of EU development funds, boosted growth to more than 3%. In recent years, strong domestic demand combined with low international energy prices have contributed to Bulgaria’s economic growth approaching 4% and have also helped to ease inflation. Bulgaria’s prudent public financial management contributed to budget surpluses both in 2016 and 2017.</p><p></p><p>Bulgaria is heavily reliant on energy imports from Russia, a potential vulnerability, and is a participant in EU-backed efforts to diversify regional natural gas supplies. In late 2016, the Bulgarian Government provided funding to Bulgaria’s National Electric Company to cover the $695 million compensation owed to Russian nuclear equipment manufacturer Atomstroyexport for the cancellation of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant project, which the Bulgarian Government terminated in 2012. As of early 2018, the government was floating the possibility of resurrecting the Belene project. The natural gas market, dominated by state-owned Bulgargaz, is also almost entirely supplied by Russia. Infrastructure projects such as the Inter-Connector Greece-Bulgaria and Inter-Connector Bulgaria-Serbia, which would enable Bulgaria to have access to non-Russian gas, have either stalled or made limited progress. In 2016, the Bulgarian Government established the State eGovernment Agency. This new agency is responsible for the electronic governance, coordinating national policies with the EU, and strengthening cybersecurity.</p><p></p><p>Despite a favorable investment regime, including low, flat corporate income taxes, significant challenges remain. Corruption in public administration, a weak judiciary, low productivity, lack of transparency in public procurements, and the presence of organized crime continue to hamper the country's investment climate and economic prospects.</p></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-purchasing-power-parity\">GDP (purchasing power parity):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-purchasing-power-parity\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$153.5 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$148.2 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$142.6 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data are in 2017 dollars</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>76</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-official-exchange-rate\">GDP (official exchange rate):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-official-exchange-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$56.94 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2017 est.)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-real-growth-rate\">GDP - real growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-real-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>94</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-per-capita-ppp\">GDP - per capita (PPP):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-per-capita-ppp\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$21,800</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$20,900</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$19,900</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data are in 2017 dollars</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>87</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gross-national-saving\">Gross national saving:</div><div id=\"field-gross-national-saving\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">25.4% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.4% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.2% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>58</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-composition-by-end-use\">GDP - composition, by end use:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-composition-by-end-use\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">household consumption:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">61.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">government consumption:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">16%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">investment in fixed capital:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">investment in inventories:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">exports of goods and services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">66.3%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">imports of goods and services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">-64.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin\">GDP - composition, by sector of origin:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agriculture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4.3%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">industry:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">28%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">67.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-agriculture-products\">Agriculture - products:</div><div id=\"field-agriculture-products\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets; livestock</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-industries\">Industries:</div><div id=\"field-industries\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, automotive parts, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel; outsourcing centers</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-industrial-production-growth-rate\">Industrial production growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-industrial-production-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>80</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-labor-force\">Labor force:</div><div id=\"field-labor-force\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.357 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> number of employed persons</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>102</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-labor-force-by-occupation\">Labor force - by occupation:</div><div id=\"field-labor-force-by-occupation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agriculture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">6.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">industry:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">26.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">66.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-unemployment-rate\">Unemployment rate:</div><div id=\"field-unemployment-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">6.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">7.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>93</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-population-below-poverty-line\">Population below poverty line:</div><div id=\"field-population-below-poverty-line\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">23.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-household-income-or-consumption-by-percentage-share\">Household income or consumption by percentage share:</div><div id=\"field-household-income-or-consumption-by-percentage-share\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">lowest 10%:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">31.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">highest 10%:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">31.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-distribution-of-family-income-gini-index\">Distribution of family income - Gini index:</div><div id=\"field-distribution-of-family-income-gini-index\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">40.2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">38.3</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>64</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-budget\">Budget:</div><div id=\"field-budget\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">revenues:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">20.35 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">expenditures:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.35 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-taxes-and-other-revenues\">Taxes and other revenues:</div><div id=\"field-taxes-and-other-revenues\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">35.7% (of GDP)</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>58</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-budget-surplus-or-deficit\">Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):</div><div id=\"field-budget-surplus-or-deficit\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.8% (of GDP)</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>16</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-public-debt\">Public debt:</div><div id=\"field-public-debt\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">23.9% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">27.4% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>181</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-fiscal-year\">Fiscal year:</div><div id=\"field-fiscal-year\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>calendar year</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-inflation-rate-consumer-prices\">Inflation rate (consumer prices):</div><div id=\"field-inflation-rate-consumer-prices\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-1.3%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>63</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-central-bank-discount-rate\">Central bank discount rate:</div><div id=\"field-central-bank-discount-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.01%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2015\">(31 December 2015)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has had no independent monetary policy since the introduction of the Currency Board regime in 1997; this is BNB's base interest rate</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>149</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-commercial-bank-prime-lending-rate\">Commercial bank prime lending rate:</div><div id=\"field-commercial-bank-prime-lending-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.41%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">6.39%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>135</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-narrow-money\">Stock of narrow money:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-narrow-money\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$29.27 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$22.01 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>63</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-broad-money\">Stock of broad money:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-broad-money\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$29.27 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$22.01 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>63</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-domestic-credit\">Stock of domestic credit:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-domestic-credit\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$33.44 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$27.57 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>77</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-market-value-of-publicly-traded-shares\">Market value of publicly traded shares:</div><div id=\"field-market-value-of-publicly-traded-shares\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$14.49 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$5.205 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$4.797 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2015\">(31 December 2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>68</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-current-account-balance\">Current account balance:</div><div id=\"field-current-account-balance\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2.562 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.207 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>36</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports\">Exports:</div><div id=\"field-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$29.08 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$25.37 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>67</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports-partners\">Exports - partners:</div><div id=\"field-exports-partners\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Germany 13.5%, Italy 8.3%, Romania 8.2%, Turkey 7.7%, Greece 6.5%, Belgium 4.2%, France 4.1%<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports-commodities\">Exports - commodities:</div><div id=\"field-exports-commodities\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels, agriculture, tobacco, IT components</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports\">Imports:</div><div id=\"field-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$31.43 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$26.66 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>67</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports-commodities\">Imports - commodities:</div><div id=\"field-imports-commodities\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports-partners\">Imports - partners:</div><div id=\"field-imports-partners\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Germany 12.3%, Russia 10.3%, Italy 7.3%, Romania 7.1%, Turkey 6.2%, Spain 5.3%, Greece 4.4%<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold\">Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:</div><div id=\"field-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$28.38 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$25.13 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>51</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-debt-external\">Debt - external:</div><div id=\"field-debt-external\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$42.06 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$35.98 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>72</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-direct-foreign-investment-at-home\">Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-direct-foreign-investment-at-home\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$46.92 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$45.26 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>59</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-direct-foreign-investment-abroad\">Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-direct-foreign-investment-abroad\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$5.868 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$4.988 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>73</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exchange-rates\">Exchange rates:</div><div id=\"field-exchange-rates\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>leva (BGN) per US dollar -</div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.63</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.86</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.768</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.7644</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.4742</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013 est.)</span></div></div></li><li id='energy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question eur_med' sectiontitle='Energy'ccode='bu'>Energy ::<span class='region'>Bulgaria</span></div></li><li id='energy-category-section'><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-access\">Electricity access:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-access\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">100%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-production\">Electricity - production:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">42.29 billion kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>57</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-consumption\">Electricity - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">32.34 billion kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>60</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-exports\">Electricity - exports:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">9.187 billion kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>23</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-imports\">Electricity - imports:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">4.568 billion kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>41</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-installed-generating-capacity\">Electricity - installed generating capacity:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-installed-generating-capacity\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">10.75 million kW</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>57</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-fossil-fuels\">Electricity - from fossil fuels:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-fossil-fuels\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">39% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>170</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-nuclear-fuels\">Electricity - from nuclear fuels:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-nuclear-fuels\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">20% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>8</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-hydroelectric-plants\">Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-hydroelectric-plants\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">23% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>83</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-other-renewable-sources\">Electricity - from other renewable sources:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-other-renewable-sources\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">19% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>41</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-production\">Crude oil - production:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,000 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>91</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-exports\">Crude oil - exports:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>99</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-imports\">Crude oil - imports:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">133,900 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>39</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-proved-reserves\">Crude oil - proved reserves:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-proved-reserves\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">15 million bbl</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 1 January 2018\">(1 January 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>84</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-production\">Refined petroleum products - production:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">144,300 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>60</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-consumption\">Refined petroleum products - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">97,000 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>82</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-exports\">Refined petroleum products - exports:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">92,720 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>45</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-imports\">Refined petroleum products - imports:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">49,260 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>83</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-production\">Natural gas - production:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">79.28 million cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>83</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-consumption\">Natural gas - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.313 billion cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>70</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-exports\">Natural gas - exports:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">31.15 million cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>52</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-imports\">Natural gas - imports:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.256 billion cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>44</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-proved-reserves\">Natural gas - proved reserves:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-proved-reserves\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.663 billion cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 1 January 2018\">(1 January 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>88</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-consumption-of-energy\">Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:</div><div id=\"field-carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-consumption-of-energy\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">46.31 million Mt</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>63</span></div></div></li><li id='communications-category-section-anchor'><div class='question eur_med' sectiontitle='Communications'ccode='bu'>Communications ::<span class='region'>Bulgaria</span></div></li><li id='communications-category-section'><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephones-fixed-lines\">Telephones - fixed lines:</div><div id=\"field-telephones-fixed-lines\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total subscriptions:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,302,316</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">18</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>69</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephones-mobile-cellular\">Telephones - mobile cellular:</div><div id=\"field-telephones-mobile-cellular\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total subscriptions:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">8,532,908</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">120</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>96</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephone-system\">Telephone system:</div><div id=\"field-telephone-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">general assessment:</span>inherited an extensive but antiquated telecommunications network from the Soviet era; quality has improved with a modern digital trunk line now connecting switching centers in most of the regions; remaining areas are connected by digital microwave radio relay; Bulgaria has a mature mobile market with active competition<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">domestic:</span>fixed-line 18 per 100 persons,  mobile-cellular teledensity, fostered by multiple service providers, is over 120 telephones per 100 persons<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">international:</span>country code - 359; submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions)<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-broadcast-media\">Broadcast media:</div><div id=\"field-broadcast-media\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>4 national terrestrial TV stations with 1 state-owned and 3 privately owned; a vast array of TV stations are available from cable and satellite TV providers; state-owned national radio broadcasts over 3 networks; large number of private radio stations broadcasting, especially in urban areas<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2010\">(2010)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-internet-country-code\">Internet country code:</div><div id=\"field-internet-country-code\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>.bg</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-internet-users\">Internet users:</div><div id=\"field-internet-users\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4,274,328</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">percent of population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">59.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>85</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-broadband-fixed-subscriptions\">Broadband - fixed subscriptions:</div><div id=\"field-broadband-fixed-subscriptions\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,764,782</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">25</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>55</span></div></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section-anchor'><div class='question eur_med' sectiontitle='Transportation'ccode='bu'>Transportation ::<span class='region'>Bulgaria</span></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section'><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-national-air-transport-system\">National air transport system:</div><div id=\"field-national-air-transport-system\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">number of registered air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">8</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">44</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,118,689</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">annual freight traffic on registered air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,583,340</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">mt-km</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-civil-aircraft-registration-country-code-prefix\">Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:</div><div id=\"field-civil-aircraft-registration-country-code-prefix\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>LZ<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports\">Airports:</div><div id=\"field-airports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">68</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>73</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports-with-paved-runways\">Airports - with paved runways:</div><div id=\"field-airports-with-paved-runways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">57</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">over 3,047 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">2,438 to 3,047 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">17</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">1,524 to 2,437 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">12</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">under 914 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">26</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports-with-unpaved-runways\">Airports - with unpaved runways:</div><div id=\"field-airports-with-unpaved-runways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">11</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">914 to 1,523 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">under 914 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">9</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-heliports\">Heliports:</div><div id=\"field-heliports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-pipelines\">Pipelines:</div><div id=\"field-pipelines\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>2765 km gas, 346 km oil, 378 km refined products<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-railways\">Railways:</div><div id=\"field-railways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">5,114 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">standard gauge:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4,989 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">1.435-m gauge (2,880 km electrified)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">narrow gauge:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">125 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">0.760-m gauge</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>37</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-roadways\">Roadways:</div><div id=\"field-roadways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19,512 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">paved:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19,235 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(includes 458 km of expressways)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">unpaved:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">277 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> does not include Category IV local roads</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>112</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-waterways\">Waterways:</div><div id=\"field-waterways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">470 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2009\">(2009)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>83</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-merchant-marine\">Merchant marine:</div><div id=\"field-merchant-marine\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">80</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">by type:</span>bulk carrier 2, general cargo 18, oil tanker 8, other 52<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>97</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-ports-and-terminals\">Ports and terminals:</div><div id=\"field-ports-and-terminals\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">major seaport(s):</span>Burgas, Varna (Black Sea)</div></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section-anchor'><div class='question eur_med' sectiontitle='Military and Security'ccode='bu'>Military and Security ::<span class='region'>Bulgaria</span></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section'><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-expenditures\">Military expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-military-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.53% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.44% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.32% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.47% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.61% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>72</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-branches\">Military branches:</div><div id=\"field-military-branches\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Bulgarian Armed Forces: Land Forces (aka Army), Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Voennovazdushni Sili, VVS)<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-service-age-and-obligation\">Military service age and obligation:</div><div id=\"field-military-service-age-and-obligation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription ended in January 2008; service obligation 6-9 months<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section-anchor'><div class='question eur_med' sectiontitle='Transnational Issues'ccode='bu'>Transnational Issues ::<span class='region'>Bulgaria</span></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section'><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-disputes-international\">Disputes - international:</div><div id=\"field-disputes-international\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>none</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons\">Refugees and internally displaced persons:</div><div id=\"field-refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">refugees (country of origin):</span>16,549 (Syria) (2017)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">stateless persons:</span>48 (2017)</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> 53,426 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-December 2018); Bulgaria is predominantly a transit country and hosts approximately 992 migrants and asylum seekers as of the end of September 2018; 2,562 migrant arrivals in 2017</p></div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-trafficking-in-persons\">Trafficking in persons:</div><div id=\"field-trafficking-in-persons\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">current situation:</span>Bulgaria is a source and, to a lesser extent, a transit and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Bulgaria is one of the main sources of human trafficking in the EU; women and children are increasingly sex trafficked domestically, as well as in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and the US; adults and children become forced laborers in agriculture, construction, and the service sector in Europe, Israel, and Zambia; Romanian girls are also subjected to sex trafficking in Bulgaria</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">tier rating:</span>Tier 2 Watch List – Bulgaria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, authorities prosecuted and convicted fewer traffickers and issued suspended sentences for the majority of those convicted; victim protection efforts declined and were minimal relative to the number of victims identified; funding for the state’s two NGO-operated shelters was significantly cut, forcing them to close; specialized services for child and adult male victims were non-existent; the government took action to combat trafficking-related complicity among public officials and police officers (2015)</div></div><div class=\"category eur_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-illicit-drugs\">Illicit drugs:</div><div id=\"field-illicit-drugs\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; vulnerable to money laundering because of corruption, organized crime; some money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions</div></div></li></ul></div>"}