Bulgaria
Last updated April 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Progressing readiness
Bulgaria shows progressing readiness (77th percentile worldwide). Reforms are translating into broader capability, though uneven performance continues to slow system-wide alignment. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 77th
- Global rank
- #42
- Regional rank
- #28
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Bulgaria performs close to the global average across all GEFRI dimensions. Progress is evident, yet stronger ambition is needed to reach futures readiness among global peers.
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. Strong tertiary enrollment expands future talent pipelines and strengthens national innovation potential.
Strong R&D funding and a sizable research workforce keep the innovation pipeline active, moving new solutions into education. Gender parity across secondary pathways reflects sustained commitment to equitable participation.
Regionally, Governance lags peers the most, signalling where investment could have the highest impact.
Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.
Key insights
- Sits above the global median at the 77th percentile.
- Places 42nd worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 28th within Europe & Central Asia.
- Scores range from Access & Parity (76.6) to Governance (54.8), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Trails regional peers most clearly in Governance.
Regional peers: Europe & Central Asia
Composite GEFRI score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Denmark | 80.65 |
| 5 | 2 | Austria | 75.95 |
| 6 | 3 | Norway | 75.54 |
| 7 | 4 | Finland | 75.51 |
| 8 | 5 | Switzerland | 75.24 |
| 9 | 6 | Germany | 75.12 |
| 10 | 7 | United Kingdom | 74.89 |
| 11 | 8 | Sweden | 74.71 |
| 12 | 9 | France | 74.55 |
| 15 | 10 | Portugal | 72.72 |
| 16 | 11 | Estonia | 72.11 |
| 17 | 12 | Netherlands | 71.64 |
| 18 | 13 | Czechia | 71.11 |
| 19 | 14 | Iceland | 70.99 |
| 20 | 15 | Belgium | 70.89 |
| 21 | 16 | Poland | 70.70 |
| 22 | 17 | Lithuania | 70.65 |
| 23 | 18 | Slovenia | 70.57 |
| 27 | 19 | Spain | 70.17 |
| 28 | 20 | Ireland | 70.12 |
| 29 | 21 | Luxembourg | 69.43 |
| 30 | 22 | Italy | 69.35 |
| 31 | 23 | Greece | 69.25 |
| 35 | 24 | Latvia | 68.04 |
| 36 | 25 | Cyprus | 67.99 |
| — | — | LiechtensteinMicrostate | 67.36 |
| 37 | 26 | Hungary | 65.67 |
| 38 | 27 | Croatia | 65.56 |
| — | — | GibraltarMicrostate | 64.07 |
| — | — | San MarinoMicrostate | 63.76 |
| 42 | 28 | Bulgaria | 62.81 |
| 43 | 29 | Moldova | 62.80 |
| — | — | MonacoMicrostate | 62.60 |
| 44 | 30 | Serbia | 62.22 |
| 46 | 31 | Russian Federation | 61.73 |
| 47 | 32 | Slovak Republic | 61.70 |
| 50 | 33 | Turkiye | 60.91 |
| 51 | 34 | Montenegro | 60.80 |
| 52 | 35 | Kazakhstan | 60.66 |
| 53 | 36 | Armenia | 60.51 |
| — | — | Channel IslandsMicrostate | 60.36 |
| — | — | Isle of ManMicrostate | 60.36 |
| — | — | Faroe IslandsMicrostate | 60.33 |
| 55 | 37 | Albania | 59.95 |
| — | — | AndorraMicrostate | 59.64 |
| 58 | 38 | Georgia | 58.46 |
| 62 | 39 | Uzbekistan | 57.72 |
| 63 | 40 | Belarus | 57.44 |
| — | — | GreenlandMicrostate | 56.89 |
| 69 | 41 | Kyrgyz Republic | 56.42 |
| 74 | 42 | Romania | 55.12 |
| 77 | 43 | North Macedonia | 54.09 |
| 84 | 44 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 51.59 |
| 85 | 45 | Kosovo | 51.46 |
| 90 | 46 | UkraineFCS | 50.96 |
| 98 | 47 | Azerbaijan | 48.88 |
| 108 | 48 | Turkmenistan | 41.46 |
| 109 | 49 | Tajikistan | 41.41 |