Religion in Bulgaria has long been intertwined with national identity, history, and culture. While the country’s constitution recognizes Orthodox Christianity as the traditional religion, Bulgaria is also firmly established as a secular state, guaranteeing freedom of belief and equality among religious communities. This dual identity creates a fascinating religious landscape—one that is deeply rooted in tradition yet increasingly shaped by modern social change.

Census data from 2001, 2011, and 2021 reveal notable shifts in religious affiliation, participation, and willingness to declare belief. Together, these trends highlight how faith in Bulgaria is evolving in response to migration, secularization, and personal choice.

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Orthodox Christianity and the Bulgarian Constitution

Traditional Religion, Not a State Religion

According to the Bulgarian Constitution, Orthodox Christianity is acknowledged as the traditional religion of the nation. This recognition reflects its historical role in preserving Bulgarian language, culture, and national consciousness during centuries of foreign rule.

However, this status does not grant Orthodoxy political authority or legal dominance. Bulgaria does not have an official state religion, and the government is prohibited from interfering in religious life.

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Bulgaria as a Secular State

What Secularism Means in Practice

As a secular state, Bulgaria guarantees:

• Freedom of religion and belief
• Equal treatment of all religious denominations
• The right to declare no religion

Importantly, participation in religious censuses has changed over time. In 2011, answering the question about religious affiliation became optional, a shift that had a major impact on the results.

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Why the 2001 and 2011 Censuses Look So Different

Mandatory vs. Optional Declaration

• 2001 Census: Religious identification was mandatory, resulting in high declaration rates.
• 2011 Census: Declaration was optional, leading to over 21% of the population choosing not to respond.

This methodological difference explains the sharp statistical decline in Orthodox Christians—from over 80% in 2001 to under 60% in 2011—without necessarily indicating mass conversion or loss of faith.

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Religious Structure of Bulgaria (2011 Census Explained)

Declared vs. Total Population

Among those who did declare a religion in 2011:

• Orthodox Christians: ~76% of respondents
• Muslims: ~10%
• Irreligious: ~12%

When calculated against the total population, the picture changes:

• Orthodox Christians: ~59%
• Muslims: ~8%
• Irreligious: ~9%
• Undeclared: ~22%

This distinction is crucial for understanding modern religious statistics in Bulgaria.

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Islam in Bulgaria: History and Geography

Muslim Communities and Regional Concentration

Islam is the second-largest religion in Bulgaria, with communities that include:

• Ethnic Turks
• Bulgarian Muslims (Pomaks)
• Some Roma groups

Muslim populations are geographically concentrated, particularly in the Rhodope Mountains and parts of northeastern Bulgaria. Data from the 2001 census, which required declaration, remains especially useful for mapping these regions accurately.

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Religion and Ethnicity: Insights from the 2001 Census

Clear Correlations

The 2001 census provides the clearest picture of how religion and ethnicity intersect:

• Ethnic Bulgarians: Predominantly Orthodox Christian
• Ethnic Turks: Overwhelmingly Muslim
• Roma: Religiously diverse, including Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Protestantism, and irreligion

Because responses were compulsory, this census remains a key reference point for demographic studies.

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Smaller Christian Denominations in Bulgaria

Catholics, Protestants, and Others

Though numerically small, Bulgaria is home to several historic Christian minorities:

• Roman Catholics, concentrated in northwestern regions
• Protestants, a fast-growing group since the late 20th century
• Armenian Apostolic Christians, mainly in urban centers

Together, these communities contribute to Bulgaria’s religious diversity and pluralism.

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The Rise of Irreligion and Non-Response

A Modern Trend

Between 2001 and 2021, Bulgaria saw:

• A steady increase in people identifying as irreligious
• A sharp rise in those choosing not to declare any belief

These trends reflect broader European patterns, where personal belief is increasingly viewed as private rather than institutional.

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Religion in Bulgaria: A Historical Perspective (1900–2021)

Long-Term Stability, Recent Change

For most of the 20th century:

• Orthodox Christians consistently made up over 80% of the population
• Muslims remained between 12–17%

The major changes appear after 1990, influenced by:

• Democratic transition
• Emigration
• Secularization
• Census methodology changes

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FAQs About Religion in Bulgaria

1. What is the official religion of Bulgaria?

Bulgaria has no official state religion, but Orthodox Christianity is recognized as the traditional religion.

2. Is Bulgaria a secular country?

Yes. The constitution guarantees separation of religion and state.

3. Why did Orthodox Christianity decline in the 2011 census?

Mainly because religious declaration became optional, not due to mass conversion.

4. Where do most Muslims in Bulgaria live?

Primarily in the Rhodope Mountains and northeastern regions.

5. Is irreligion growing in Bulgaria?

Yes. Both irreligion and non-declaration have increased since 2001.

6. Which census data is more reliable—2001 or 2011?

They serve different purposes: 2001 is better for declared affiliation; 2011 reflects personal choice and privacy trends.

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Faith, Freedom, and Choice

Religion in Bulgaria today is best understood not as a story of decline, but of transformation. Orthodox Christianity remains a powerful cultural force, Islam continues as a significant and historic presence, and secularism ensures freedom for all beliefs—including none.

By viewing census data in context, Bulgaria emerges as a society where tradition and modernity coexist, shaped by history yet open to change