Bulgaria’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 5.6% in September 2026, up from 5.1% in August, according to preliminary estimates. This was the highest level since May and reflected faster price increases in several key categories, including food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.4% vs. 0.8% in August), transport (25.6% vs. 21.5%), alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics (6.9% vs. 6.1%), housing and utilities (5.4% vs. 5.1%), information and communication (1.6% vs. 1.5%), and recreation, sport, and culture (8.2% vs. 7.6%).
By contrast, prices rose at a slower pace in health (3.1% vs. 3.3%), education (7.7% vs. 9.1%), restaurants and accommodation services (9.5% vs. 9.6%), and in personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services (5.1% vs. 5.6%). Meanwhile, prices decreased for furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance (-0.5% vs. 0.3%).
On a monthly basis, consumer prices declined by 0.3% in September, reversing the 0.6% increase recorded in August.
