Compare countries · Bulgaria vs Serbia
Bulgaria vs Serbia
Bulgaria(Europe)·
Serbia(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Bulgaria leads on 8, Serbia on 2, 3 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Bulgaria
41.6
Around the global middle
Serbia
42.6
Around the global middle
Bulgaria: 2% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Bulgaria
11.1
Better than 68% of countries
Serbia
13.1
Better than 56% of countries
Bulgaria: 15% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Bulgaria
1.56
Better than 85% of countries
Serbia
1.89
Better than 63% of countries
Bulgaria: more peaceful (1.56 vs 1.89).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Bulgaria
64.5
Better than 70% of countries
Serbia
63.0
Better than 67% of countries
Bulgaria: higher perceived safety (64.5 vs 63.0).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Bulgaria
0.799
Better than 64% of countries
Serbia
0.805
Better than 66% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Bulgaria
$44,451
Better than 72% of countries
Serbia
$33,910
Better than 65% of countries
Bulgaria: 31% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Bulgaria
75.8 yrs
Better than 57% of countries
Serbia
76.0 yrs
Better than 58% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Bulgaria
58.3
Worse than 67% of countries
Serbia
52.1
Worse than 87% of countries
Bulgaria: better-rated healthcare (58.3 vs 52.1).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Bulgaria
94 Mbps
Around the global middle
Serbia
103 Mbps
Better than 58% of countries
Serbia: 9% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Bulgaria
60/100
Better than 60% of countries
Serbia
51/100
Worse than 58% of countries
Bulgaria: freer press (60 vs 51 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Bulgaria
5.70
Worse than 58% of countries
Serbia
6.69
Better than 80% of countries
Serbia: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.69 vs 5.70).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Bulgaria
594
Better than 80% of countries
Serbia
578
Better than 75% of countries
Bulgaria: stronger English proficiency (594 vs 578).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Bulgaria
81.2
Around the global middle
Serbia
82.7
Better than 56% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Deciding between Bulgaria and Serbia for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.